Hello Person Who is Here Maybe Hoping to Learn a Bit More About This Process or Just Here to be Lovingly Nosy,

It's been a busy week. I have made some big decisions and then finalized them with a very time consuming application which is only the first of many. I have applied for a fall semester 2014 program to France departing in August. If I had thought anything before now was stressful I was wrong. So very, very wrong. Everything before now has been Impossible Dreams and Big Expectations and Excitement. You believe you are going to go, and of course you are! Why wouldn't they want you? So what if you've only taken one year of French! You're incredible! 

Except, following this false confidence is the realization that you are among possibly hundreds of other students and bright minds with the same hope. You may very well not be accepted. And that's alright, too. This program isn't made for everyone and if you aren't accepted it's probably for the best. Those evaluating my application will form an opinion on whether or not I am capable of transplanting myself into another culture and family, and there is nothing I can do to shift that first impression from the second I send my application out into the world. So no matter what happens from here on out, I am going to work as hard as I can towards my goal. However, if it doesn't work out, I will survive. I will go on to college, I will live in my own home when my little sister takes her first steps, I will ride an entirely different wave of difficulties than I would in France. I am prepared for both.

This mind set in no way makes me doubtful of my own capability. I believe I am able to have this experience and make the best of it. I want this opportunity with everything I am.  I just also know that I will survive this with only minor bone-crushing, heart-breaking disappointment.

Anyway, for hopefuls, the (first) application isn't too rough. I completed it in its entirety in one week and was able to obtain all of my recommendations in a timely manner. The checklists are overwhelming at first, but with a systematic approach to completion, you can do it.

Best,
Savannah

P.S. If you are also another person looking to go abroad let me recommend something: Do Not Under Any Circumstance Wait To Mail Your Application Until The Very Last Day Possible. Trust me. If you do, you will probably end up chasing the mail truck and surprise, surprise they will not stop for you. So you'll end up having to borrow your mom's car and drive to the post office across town at the VERY MAXIMUM legal speed because it is 4:56 and BY GOD YOU ARE GOING TO GET IT INTO THE MAIL BY 5PM TODAY IF IT IS THE VERY LAST THING YOU DO ON THIS EARTH.