Dreams Coming True - Update

The last time I posted was about 9 months ago in August. A lot has happened since then, almost only positive things. About two months ago I received an email notifying me that I had been selected as a recipient of the Speedwell Scholarship! I really couldn't believe that I got it! A huge sense of accomplishment poured over me, but I knew I would still have to work hard to make the exchange happen. From taking extra classes to signing and filling out legal papers, the hard work is paying off. A few weeks after I received the scholarship, I was accepted into AFS-Spain! The feeling was so surreal and at that moment I realized that my dreams are real, and they are slowly coming together. Yesterday, May 18th, the Susquehanna Valley Area Team had our Pre Departure Orientation. All of us are officially going somewhere next year. Whether it's Spain, France, Germany, The Netherlands or even Egypt; we will all have the best year of our lives, hopefully! As of now, I have about 3 and 1/2 months left in the U.S. until I depart for Spain. I am still anxiously waiting for a host family, and I'm hoping it will come soon! I have heard from several students abroad now, to cherish every moment I have left in the U.S. because I will probably definitely miss everything about it soon!

As of now it's just a dream...

My name is Jarrett Fortenbaugh and about this time next year I plan on packing my life into a suit case and moving to Spain as an AFS foreign exchange student!I am currently a junior in high school which means I will be going abroad as a senior! What better way to spend your senior year? Since I aim at becoming an interpreter, this is a once in a life time chance to become fluent in one, possibly two languages as you can be placed in an area where two languages are spoken. I have been talking to my principal and guidance counselor for about a year now! In the beginning it seemed as if they had their minds set on saying no to me! However I was prepared to fight back, I explained to them rather than taking easy classes that won't benefit my career I could study abroad and gain so much! I kept going back and asking questions and giving them as much information as possible! At the end of my sophomore year and into the summer I kept contact with the school. A few weeks before this years first day, my principal sent an email saying I could obtain academic credit for my year abroad! However it won't come easy, I have to take an English course the second semester of the year at a community college. There is one more crucial thing however, I must apply for the Speedwell scholarship which is a full scholarship to study abroad! I have to get this in order go because it is simply too much for my parents in today's economy! If I receive the scholarship I know it is what is meant to be. However if I do not receive it, I also understand that this is what is meant to happen and there is another path I am suppose to take! Some people may think I am crazy missing my senior year! Missing my senior year of soccer, missing senior homecoming and prom, missing my family and friends, missing the English language. Whatever they may come up with, I guarantee I can come up with more reasons to go rather than not to. Going abroad would mean I have to become more independent. I would be able to make friends from all over the world and have a second family! I wouldn't be "missing" my senior year, I would just be living it outside my comfort zone in an unfamiliar place! I would be taking a new path rather than living the same routine I have now! Like the title says, as of now it's just a dream, however I will do anything to make this dream come true!