Un mes...

I have been here in Formosa for a month now. Sometimes I can't really believe it but this is really my life now. Usually every day I am busy with something and the time has been flying. I am really enjoying my time here and every day gets better. I almost never have a bad day, and if I am feeling down it is just for a few hours. It is almost impossible to be sad here. I am surrounded by really great people. I really don't even know what to write about because there has been so much going on. My weeks are filled with school and other activities in the evening. Hanging out with some friends or just spending time with my family and going to the store. In the weekend, I go out with friends, but it is totally different than in the United States. Instead of being home by 11, we are just going out by then. At first this was kind of weird for me but I am starting to get used to it. There is no such thing as "too late to go out". As far as weekends go I do anything from going to a 'boliche' to dance or going bowling. I always have fun no matter what I do though and I am enjoying everything. A few weeks ago I went with my family and cousin to another province of Argentina. It is called Corrientes and it is about 2 hours from where I live. It is really quite nice and I enjoyed my time there. It was nice to see another part of Argentina besides Formosa. As far as my Spanish goes, I don't really know to be honest. I know I have learned more and it is better than when I first got here but I can't tell any major improvements. It has only been a month though and I know this takes time. Sometimes it is frustrating that I can't communicate well but I really do think it is getting easier to understand. I know that I am probably leaving out a lot of things in this update but it is really hard to write about all that I have been experiencing. I am going to add some pictures though :) Some other things that have been going on are that I have been accepted to 2 colleges back home! California University of Pennsylvania and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania. I'm not sure how many other ones I applied to, I think 3 or 4 but I am still waiting for responses from them. I really have no idea what I want to study or where I want to go to school but I guess I have to actually start to think that one through now. I hope all is well with everyone at home! Un beso, Kristen.

Estoy en Argentina!

Well, it’s real now. I’m really actually in Argentina at this very moment while I am typing this. I have been in this country since about 6 o’clock on the 20th. After a 2 day orientation with other students of AFS in Buenos Aires, I arrived to my host family at 11 in the morning on the 22nd. I know that I am indeed in Argentina, but it really hasn’t hit me yet that this is my home now. Every day has a new situation and I think when it becomes daily routine it will hit me that I am actually very, very far from home.

Everyone writes on my facebook wall, messages me, and I feel so blessed that I have people interested in my journey. It is so hard to get back to everyone though and I feel bad about not being able to answer in full detail all the questions everyone asks me. I feel like this blog will help me talk about my trip more and hopefully answer all the questions that people have for me. I even find it hard to find time for myself to think.

I think the best place to start is after the orientation in Buenos Aires. I really did enjoy the orientation and meeting other kids but we didn’t leave the building for 2 days so we could have been in my backyard in Pennsylvania in this building and I wouldn’t have known the difference. My bus ride from Buenos Aires to Formosa was really smooth and enjoyable. We sat first class and got reclining leather seats and we received meals. I slept through the night and when I woke up the next morning we were only 2 hours from Formosa. When I got off the bus in Formosa, my host family, my host cousin, and 2 friends I have were there to greet me. I was not expecting the signs they made or anything of the sort. In all the commotion, I must have left all my Spanish skills on the bus, because as soon as I stepped foot in Formosa I felt as though my Spanish diminished.

When I arrived at my new house I got the tour of where I will be living and I was instantly charmed. It’s cute and it feels like home. I unpacked my suitcase and got to know my new room that I share with my host-sister. After this, I got a shower and we ate the famous Argentinean asado! Now I know what the obsession with this meat is. I can tell that asado and I are going to have a very good relationship though. After my very first asado, a few friends came over and we chatted and drank some cold tea drink. I can’t remember the name but it is really good. Later that evening we went to the supermarket to buy food for the week. Their supermarket here is almost the equivalent of wal-mart. At some outrageously late hour we ate hamburgers for our dinner. Throughout the whole day I met family members and friends of the family. It is all a blur who is who and whatnot but I hope to sort out the names soon.

Monday, I did not go to school. I stayed with my host sister and we went shopping for things I was going to need. I got to buy my school uniform shirt and the shoes. I still don’t have my skirt yet, so until then it is just jeans and my polo to school. My host dad and sister showed me around the city a little and I got to try and take it all in. A new habit that I have is after lunch, I go upstairs with my host sister and we watch Disney until we fall asleep. I can’t say I hate it, because I definitely don’t. My Spanish at this point is still questionable and sometimes I have what it takes to say what I need to say and other times I trip and fall into my own Spanish mess.

Tuesday was my first day of school and I really like it there. It is so much different than school in Ligonier. I constantly tell myself “It’s not good, it’s not bad… it’s just different.” That’s how I feel about school here. To be honest, so far I haven’t done much. The only classes I have really understood were math and chemistry. This is ridiculous because in the United States I do horrible in those subjects. But, I’ll take it. ;) The English teacher at school has been playing show and tell with me for days. I go to other classes and talk about my life in the United States and talk in English for them. What I can say, I do say in Spanish, but most of it I say in English and the teacher translates. I really like her. She is a great person and I am happy I got to meet her.

Currently I am in the 6th year of school here, which is equivalent to being a senior in the United States, which is fitting because that is what I am. But, I’m going to be completely honest and say I don’t like my classmates too much. I fit in really well with another class and so I am changing my class. It is no problem with the school and I am really happy about this because I feel so much better with the other class. I think I have a better chance of learning in their too because I can communicate well with them.

So far I have gone out every night with friends to see the city and to get to know people. I have met a few really great people who I adore. Sorry to all in Pennsylvania and my friends and family in the United States, but I can’t say I’m missing you too much right now. I don’t have time to miss you and the people who have taken your place are incredible. I feel like I could write about all my experiences for hours and hours and still forget something and I haven’t even been here for a week. But to sum it all up, I’m doing really well.
Besos a todos!

Estoy emocionada!

Hola!
I know I said I probably wouldn't write until I was in Argentina but I have way too many exciting things to talk about! I have received a lot more information from AFS. I have 17 days left in my home in Pennsylvania. It's a bit weird to think that my days are numbered here but I am still excited. I need to be in Miami on August 18th for an orientation with the other AFS students from America going to Argentina. From there, we leave Miami at abour 9:30 at night on the 19th and we arrive in Buenos Aires at 6 in the morning on the 20th. From there I will take part in another orientation with ALL the AFS kids in the world going to Argentina. Since my town in Argentina is in the wayyy north, I will take a bus with the other exchange students living in Formosa from Buenos Aires to our new homes. There I will be greeted by my host family and the wonderful AFS staff in Formosa. To say the least, I AM SO EXCITED!

Right now we are currently waiting for my Visa. Which is kind of the most important thing and it is still not completed yet. It is coming soon though, hopefully next week. If I don't have that visa, I don't go anywhere so it is kind of making me nervous that I don't have one yet and I leave in less than 3 weeks. I'm thinking positive though, I know it will all come together and there still is time. The next few things on my agenda are to pack and get all of my things together for my adventure.

I just recently finished my online class so I am 100% on summer vacation now and I have been with my friends all the time. I am going to miss them so much. They are so supportive though and they know I really want this. I couldn't ask for better friends. My family has been incredible too, my mom especially. She has put everything together for me and I am so thankful. I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me get ready for this in some way or another. I couldn't ask for more supportive people.

Now really, this is the last post before I am in Argentina! In 3 weeks my life is going to be totally different and I am SO ready. Besos :)


Edit: I GOT MY VISA! Now everything is in order to go!

Good news, bad news

Well as I mentioned in my last post I wanted to change my exchange to a year. AFS has informed me that I can't. I try to understand since I did sign up for the semester. I desperately want to stay for a year though. Though I am sad I only stay for a semester, I am going to enjoy and appreciate what I do have in front of me. GOOD NEWS THOUGH! AFS has confirmed my host family and where I will be living. I will live in Formosa, Argentina. A town in the north of Argentina full of warm, loving, and caring people. My host family consists of my father (Eduardo), my mother (Olga) and my host sisters (Susana and Adriana). Susana doesn't live at home though. Adriana is 13 days older than I am and I have been talking to her. She's a beautiful person with great intentions. She is nothing but nice and welcoming to me. I am counting down the days until I get on that plane in Pittsburgh and start my journey to Argentina. Already my host sister has introduced me to some friends of hers and her cousins. It's a comforting thought I am going somewhere that I have already established some friends. Thanks to Facebook I have connected with other AFS students from all over the world going to Argentina. I am excited to meet them in August at our orientation. They're all genuinely kind people who have the same emotions and feelings I do every day. It's nice to know you're not alone.

School's over and summer is starting. Now all that's left for me to do is wait. Though it seems like the days pass slowly before I know it (and my family knows it) I'll be saying my goodbyes. I'm not sure if anyone actually reads this, but if so expect my next post to be when I'm in Argentina. Hasta luego! (See ya later!)

Besos, Kristen

Waiting, waiting, waiting...

Hello all,
I haven't really even thought about this thing until today. I had my first AFS orientation today with the other kids from Western PA who are going abroad. I really liked the orientation and it was a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be. Today helped me in a lot of ways and I am BEYOND excited now. Also, I am going to try and change my program from a semester to a year. I will let you all know how that goes. I need my school and AFS-USA and AFS-Argentina to okay it before it is for sure but that is what I'd really like to do. There's not much else going on now except waiting for the answers to all the questions I have.

Thanks for reading! Love, Kristen

Feliz año nuevo!

Happy New Year, everyone! I really haven't even looked at this blog much since I last posted and it has been a few months. Time is flying though! I'm getting ready to take my midterms already, it seems that just yesterday was the first day of school. This whole exchange thing is pretty weird, some days I don't feel like it's real and I'm not going anywhere and then other days I can't believe in a few short months I'll be thousands of miles from home. Each day has a different feeling. I'm so excited to get this AFS thing on the road... I want to learn more about where I'm going but unfortunately I still have time to wait until I can learn that. 2010 is going to be a good year, I can tell that already.

The second half of the school year is going to be rough! I have SAT's, ACT's, and PSSA's to take. A college to find and apply to, 11th grade to pass, oodles of money to earn for my exchange, and a new language to learn. yo necesito el verano ( I need the summer! )

Now that I know for sure next year I'll be abroad for the first semester, I take advantage of every chance I get to be with friends and family. I need to make up for the 6 months I'm going to miss! It's a weird feeling knowing that my days are numbered here in Ligonier, Pennsylvania but I sure am sick of this snow and cold weather. Bring on Argentina! Love to everyone, Kristen.

First post!

Hi everyone!
My name is Kristen Bates. I am from Ligonier, Pennsylvania. This year I am a junior at Ligonier Valley High School. Recently, I have applied to AFS (American Field Service) to study abroad for the first semester of the 2010-2011 school year. I hope to study abroad in Argentina. I want to travel abroad with AFS for many reasons. One reason I want to is because I think it is very important to expand your knowledge of the world you live in. I believe that living and immersing myself in a new culture will help me grow as a person. I also believe that spreading the word about a new culture in a small town like Ligonier, where diversity is limited, will give others the curiosity to explore the world around them.

I hope to gain a lot of things with the AFS program. One thing I expect to gain is a sense of independence and self sufficiency. These two traits will help me as I mature and grow older and need to start a life of my own. Another thing I hope to gain through AFS are friendships and memories that will last for a life time. I know this experience will be something I will never forget and I hope and expect to gain a lot of things from the AFS experience. After my return from Argentina I hope to inspire others around me to consider traveling abroad and experience the unknown.

Right now, as a junior, I have a lot on my plate academically. I am always very busy with homework, studying, sports, and doing the best I can to keep a social life alive. This year at school, my course load has increased immensely so I can receive all the credits I need to be able to study abroad with AFS. At school I am part of the junior class committee (which helps with the planning of prom), peer mentoring, AFS club, and the swim team. I also participate with the YMCA Swim Team. In total, this is my ninth year of swimming. Although my school schedule is taxing my plans to study abroad keep me motivated. My grades and GPA have all improved since last year. The AFS experience has already helped me and I know I will receive more from the program when I am actually abroad.

Hopefully, I will be able to raise enough money for this experience of a life time! Although I have already received a merit scholarship through AFS worth 500 dollars, I still need to raise more money for my trip. My AFS exchange costs 9,500 dollars and in total I still need to raise 7,500 more dollars. In the next few months I hope to do fundraising to help fund part of my trip. My family and I have thrown a few fundraising ideas up in the air and are still unsure of what to decide on. I hope with sharing my dream to study abroad with everyone and anyone willing to listen I will also be able to receive donations for my trip. No amount donated is too small and every amount received will get me one step closer to Argentina.

By clicking the ChipIn! gadget on the top right of my page you can help me reach my dreams. You can make a secure, non tax-deductible donation that will go straight to my AFS fund. Please pass my blog on to your friends, family, and co-workers! The link to my blog is www.kristenbates11.blogspot.com

I am extremely grateful to you for taking the time to get to know me and my goal by reading this. Thank you for your time and getting me one step closer to Argentina.