An Australian Adventure Summer 2012

I have been thinking about creating a blog for Kaitlyn to track her journey into becoming  a People to People Student Ambassador and also so her supporters could follow her journey as well. 

A little about this program. 

It was started by President Eisenhower.  Students are handpicked.  They are nominated, interviewed, and possibly accepted.  The students travel as a delegation of 40 plus 4 teacher team leaders.   They will have the unique opportunity to represent our home and reach out to the world.  Along the way, they will learn about new cultures, discover new places, and forge new friendships.  The students will experience the excitement of travel and the advantage of studying in another part of the world. 

We first heard about this program back in October when she received a letter saying she had been nominated by a teacher and was invited to attend an informational meeting.  She and I did attend and they explained how the children are nominated.  They first had the students stand (there were about 50 or so students there) and proceeded to tell them that there were three things that made them stand out.  1) Good grades 2) Willingness to help 3) Leadership

She was so excited to be there.  She had had straight A's since 4th grade.  As we listened to the presentation and other Alumni talk about the program she became more and more excited.  I have to admit I was excited for her too.  They explained there were four teachers and forty students in a delegation and they stayed together the whole time.  Then came the news, the cost of the program!  Wow, both our eyes bugged out, but it didn't seem to discourage her.  Me on the other hand, I was worried especially in these economical times having to earn this huge amount of money. 

We decided to give her a chance.  Every student must go through an interview process to be considered.  We first had to pay (which was refundable if she didn't make it) and then she had to get three letters of recommendation and a personal questionnaire.  This would be two teacher recommendations and one non-family recommendation.  She chose who they were and had them ready to go the same week.  She couldn't read them either.  Thank you Billie Stewart, Ms. Harry, and Mr. Kennedy.  On a Saturday we drove to Suwanee to an elementary school and she met with Ms. Karen Bernstein (team leader).  The interview process lasted about thirty minutes and there were three other students with her.  She seemed happy coming out and so I assumed she did well.  She said she was asked if there was something they wanted her to do that was weird would she do it?  Her answer was yes.   They told us all the team leaders would meet together and call within a few days.

Well,  my phone rang Sunday night after dinner.  Ms. Bernstein asked to speak with Kaitlyn.  She was so nervous grabbing for the phone.  Then came the news,  I knew instantly she was accepted.  Of course it had nothing to do with the jumping around the kitchen and the huge smile across her face.  I think she smiled for a couple of days at the least.  I do wish I had a picture of this.

Now comes the process of figuring out do we go ahead or what.  We decided to go ahead that this was an amazing opportunity.  We did put some stipulations on this though.  She had to keep her grades up, work on her personal progress, and keep her chores up.  Nothing could suffer.  She agreed and so we proceeded.

Fundraising - I have learned so much and probably not enough.  I am so grateful for the encouragement and support of our family, friends, and her teachers.  She has grown so much as well.