the beginning

Hey everyone, My name is Victoria (Tori) and I am a junior in high school in Chicago. I'm very active in high school, I was a JV and Varsity member of the tennis team and I'm a member of several clubs at my school, including the Writing Club and Science Club. I love to read and write. I read about two books a week and I also love doing creative writing. My grades are pretty excellent right now. I work very hard in school and it always pays off at the end of the quarter.

I applied to do a Summer Homestay Program abroad this summer through AFS Intercultural Programs, where I will fly to Italy and stay for five weeks. I'll be studying Italy's history, learning the language, and also learning about the music, the food and the art. I haven't been told yet if I will be going to Northern Italy or Southern Italy. It will depend on where my host family is from and I will find that out in a few weeks. I can't wait. Italy seems so beautiful and I know I will fall in love with the food. I can't wait to share the experience with all of my friends and family and encourage other people to visit other countries.

I am so excited about this whole process (which is very long by the way). I started this blog to let all my friends and family know everything that is going on with my trip from start to finish. The most exciting part is going to be blogging after I get there. I can't wait to post pictures of the beautiful country and my host family, but for now, I want to share my experiences leading up to that day.

It all started back in November when me and my mom went to an AFS meeting in Chicago. The meeting started kind of late on a school night. I was tired and had a big stack of books in my bookbag for homework that I had to get done. I really didn't want to be there at that time, and neither did my mom but we were both so curious to hear about the program and we decided to stick it out. I was very excited after I heard all the presentations and how to get started. I had my heart set on going to Italy before the meeting ended and wanted to leave right then and there!

Before the night was over we were given a stack of paperwork and checklist with a ton of things to do. When I saw all the paperwork just one word came to my mind WHEW! I thought, is this all the stuff I have to fill out and get done by January? OMG! I didn't know how we were going to meet the deadlines but we did.

We got the pre-app in by the deadline and that was the easy part. Next was the application, I had to apply for a passport, get my transcripts from my school, go to the doctor for a physical and shots. I also had to have a TB skin test which was not fun at all. One of the strange things they wanted on the application was my blood type, my mom didn't know it, but we still had to get it!! so we had to go get a test to find that out too. I had to get another copy of my birth certificate to go with the application. I had to make a collage of family photos for my host family and write them a letter telling them all about myself and why they should let me stay in their home this summer. My mom also had to write a letter to the host family.

After the application process was over, I got an email about the interview. I had to be downtown for the interview on a Sunday!! No prob, I put my best clothes on and went for the interview. My mom was nervous but I wasn't nervous at all, I was fine. I just didn't know what to expect and what kind of questions I would be asked. When my name was called and I went in, the interviewer was actually very cool, it was more conversation than just straight questions. She did slip some questions in like "what color is your room?" I thought, okay?? why would she want to know that. When she called my mom in she asked her "what do you have in your kitchen?" by this time, I knew she was just trying to get a feel of our home life to help find a host family. The interview turned about to be pretty cool and she gave my mom her card and said to call her if she ever had any questions or concerns after I leave for the trip. When she said that, I knew I was on my way!! A few days later, I got an email confirming that I had passed the interview and made it to the next level which allows me to be able to share all this with you today.

So much is happening right now, finishing up my junior year, getting ready to take the ACT next month and planning for college. I'm really busy but this trip is so important to me. Besides this being a great learning experience for me it will also allow me to represent America in a positive way and teach my host family and new friends all about our culture.

Til next time, arrivederci!