The Beginning....

So, I decided to start this blog for a couple of reasons, but mainly because I will be GOING TO IRELAND IN JANUARY!!! (if you couldn't tell from the title!) I thought blogging about my experiences and travels while in Ireland will keep me connected to all the family and friends back home!!

THE BEGINNING. Two years ago, Ms. Eubanks came into my EDU 200 class to inform us about this great opportunity the University has to offer through the COST (Consortium Overseas Student Teaching) program. Basically, the program allows a teacher candidate to complete their student teaching placement over seas. I was instantly enthralled by opportunity to travel, the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of other educational systems, and also interacting with international students. When the right moment came, I applied immediately, and the waiting game began. 

THE WAIT. The process of applying included a pre-application round and a regular application round. After completing the pre-application, it was about a 6 week waiting period until a decision would be made as to whether I could continue on with the application process. As you can imagine, I was so anxious and constantly checking my email. Well... I finally got an email verifying I could continue on with the application round (the final application round was only offered to 11 students!!). It was June when I got the email, and I'm pretty sure I had the whole application completed within two days. I did not want anything stopping me from missing this opportunity! .... then the waiting game began all over again. I got my final confirmation that I had been placed in Dublin, Ireland in early October. I was sitting in my HY 361 (History of Russia) being a good student taking notes when I noticed I had an email notification. I clicked on my email, thinking it was a sorority notification, when the headline read "COST Spring 2012 Confirmation". A smile was immediately painted on my face. I read the email thoroughly about two or three times before I couldn't help it, I got up and left class. My mom was the first person I called, then my daddy, then Webb... and that's how it became official!!

You have no idea how excited I am! My school is called the Ballinteer Community School in Dublin, Ireland. I'm also extremely excited about it the fact that I'm staying with a host family. Its an older couple whose children are all grown, and they re-assured me BCS is only a five minute walk from their house! They also usually host other students who are abroad, so maybe I will have some friends to explore Dublin with! 

Besides the fact of how excited I am for this, I am so infinitely grateful for how supportive my parents are. My parents have always been advocates of any aspiration I've ever had, not to mention supportive in everything I've done. If it weren't for them allowing me to develop individually and always standing behind my decisions (whether for the good or bad), this opportunity would not have been possible!! THANK YOU MOMMA AND DADDY!

Stay tuned for more posts, especially once I get to Dublin (which will be January 7th)!