Today's the day I should have been flying to Washington DC to take part in the four day induction program before going on to my placement. I wonder out of the people I met at my interview day who is going.
Now that this year's cohort are all through I must contact the British Council and start the whole thing happening again for next year. I'm trying to find my own placement in the places I want to go to and I believe the British Council have also taken pity on me and have bumped up the location on the priorities list and are trying to find me a partner. If I take part in a closed exchange I think it'll all be a lot easier, my partner and I will have got to know each other better.
So fingers crossed for a more successful year this year.
Tuesday 31 July 2007
Friday 4 May 2007
Finally settled
I will not be going this year. They have not been able to find a new match for me so I shan't be going. It's a huge disappointment. I was so looking forward to it and making plans. If the person I was originally matched with hadn't taken so long to reject the match then I would likely still be going but she did it too late.
The British Council did their best to find me a new partner but it wasn't to be. The have told me I shall be top of the list next year and that I won't need to reapply just send in more recent references. That in itself is a bit of a pain, the reference from the LEA was wonderful last time, it was written by the science advisor who had observed my lessons and been thoroughly impressed. Sadly he's now gone so the new one will have to write the reference, I guess I'll just have to invite him to observe me and keep my fingers crossed that he's as impressed.
I suppose it does all give me more chance to sort my life out a little, such as clearing my debts completely, buying a house and I shall be further up the pay scale when I go so I'll be better off. These are all good things. It does also mean it's going to be a year longer before I can start looking for promotion, when really I'd have liked to be looking already but had already put it off to participate in the exchange.
What will be will be.
I will keep this updated as things happen, though I expect it'll be a while now.
The British Council did their best to find me a new partner but it wasn't to be. The have told me I shall be top of the list next year and that I won't need to reapply just send in more recent references. That in itself is a bit of a pain, the reference from the LEA was wonderful last time, it was written by the science advisor who had observed my lessons and been thoroughly impressed. Sadly he's now gone so the new one will have to write the reference, I guess I'll just have to invite him to observe me and keep my fingers crossed that he's as impressed.
I suppose it does all give me more chance to sort my life out a little, such as clearing my debts completely, buying a house and I shall be further up the pay scale when I go so I'll be better off. These are all good things. It does also mean it's going to be a year longer before I can start looking for promotion, when really I'd have liked to be looking already but had already put it off to participate in the exchange.
What will be will be.
I will keep this updated as things happen, though I expect it'll be a while now.
Monday 23 April 2007
Not New York...
I shan't be going to New York after all. Over three weeks after sending the first email to my prospective partner and not hearing anything despite a couple more emails and an attempt at phoning I have found out that she has rejected the match.
I don't really know why, we haven't even spoken and on paper we were a good match. I suspect it's because I'm in London and she hadn't asked for London but the chances of her finding a match in the places she had asked for are incredibly slim. I wonder if she realises that?
I was getting worried because I hadn't heard from her so today I phoned the British Council. They told me she had rejected the match and that they would try and find me a new match but they didn't hold much hope because Secondary Science was a bit thin on the ground.
They called me back later and told me that there aren't any biology matches but that there are a couple of chemistry. The woman at the British Council sounded hopeful but she has to put the match to the Fulbright Commission. She will propose one then we get to decide to accept or reject. If it's rejected either by us or the other school then she will propose the second which isn't quite as good.
She wouldn't tell me where they were located because she thought it would sway my opinion of the matches but she did say that the two locations were very different from each other.
I've been upset this evening, I hadn't realised quite how much it would affect me plus there's the worry that time is running out. I'm cross that the original match didn't have the decency to contact me herself or attempt to find out anything about the match. She must have got the emails I sent her but chose to ignore them. She also sent her rejection very late which has narrowed my chances of finding somewhere.
I shall just have to wait and see what the next match is like. It will be a disappointment if I end up in Smallville somewhere after being oh so excited about New York. I realise that this is completely the wrong attitude to have and it's just an over emotional response and it's not really the way I think about it, where ever I end up will be hugely exciting it's just how I feel tonight.
I don't really know why, we haven't even spoken and on paper we were a good match. I suspect it's because I'm in London and she hadn't asked for London but the chances of her finding a match in the places she had asked for are incredibly slim. I wonder if she realises that?
I was getting worried because I hadn't heard from her so today I phoned the British Council. They told me she had rejected the match and that they would try and find me a new match but they didn't hold much hope because Secondary Science was a bit thin on the ground.
They called me back later and told me that there aren't any biology matches but that there are a couple of chemistry. The woman at the British Council sounded hopeful but she has to put the match to the Fulbright Commission. She will propose one then we get to decide to accept or reject. If it's rejected either by us or the other school then she will propose the second which isn't quite as good.
She wouldn't tell me where they were located because she thought it would sway my opinion of the matches but she did say that the two locations were very different from each other.
I've been upset this evening, I hadn't realised quite how much it would affect me plus there's the worry that time is running out. I'm cross that the original match didn't have the decency to contact me herself or attempt to find out anything about the match. She must have got the emails I sent her but chose to ignore them. She also sent her rejection very late which has narrowed my chances of finding somewhere.
I shall just have to wait and see what the next match is like. It will be a disappointment if I end up in Smallville somewhere after being oh so excited about New York. I realise that this is completely the wrong attitude to have and it's just an over emotional response and it's not really the way I think about it, where ever I end up will be hugely exciting it's just how I feel tonight.
Wednesday 21 March 2007
Living in America
What on earth makes me think I want to go and live in America for a year? I think I must be utterly barmy. I won't know anyone, I can't figure out how the New York subway system works, I can't even understand the maps, the vegetarian food is rubbish, I won't be able to understand anyone talk, I know my students, I know how to teach them, what to teach them and how to make them behave for me (most of the time, anyway).
I have friends here, good friends. I have a life, a happy contented life.
I want this, I do want this but today it's all become terrifyingly exciting and terrifying at the same time.
I have friends here, good friends. I have a life, a happy contented life.
I want this, I do want this but today it's all become terrifyingly exciting and terrifying at the same time.
Monday 19 March 2007
First Match Received...
It's another normal day with, it seems, everyone asking me if I know where I'm going yet. They get the normal answer "No, not yet, any day now hopefully".
It gets to lunchtime. Get my lunch from the canteen as usual and head up to the staff room. Plate in one hand I get an envelope out of my pigeon hole with the other fully expecting it to be the normal nonsense from one company or another. I turn to walk to the table while simultaneously turning the envelope over. There's a sticker on the front saying British Council. I get to the table in somewhat of a daze. "It's here" I say rather faintly, "oh my god". A friend and colleague reaches a hand out from the other side of the table.
"Give it here" he said. I start to hand him my plate as there isn't anywhere to put it while I open the envelope. "Not that" he tells me "you're not opening it, give it here". I don't give it to him "no, I'm ok, I'll do it", put my plate down and kneel on the chairs behind me. I open the envelope which is full of papers. The top one says that they've identified a possible exchange partner for me. They give me her name and further down the name and address of the school.
It's in New York, oh my god, I'm going to New York, Bronx to be exact. I turn to everyone, they're waiting expectantly. "I'm going to New York" I scream. There's a chorus of well dones, fantastics and wonderfuls from all around the staff room while a few members of staff who have no idea what I'm talking about look puzzled. I tell them the name of the match, the school and that it's in Bronx. I seem to just say over and over again "oh my god I'm going to New York". Then I start to weep. I weep because waiting to hear has made me rather stressed and highly strung, I weep with joy that I'm going to New York, I weep because it's about the only thing left in me I can do.
As I'm weeping the friend that's possibly borne most of my worries and stress about the whole ordeal comes into the staffroom. He sees me crying and guesses that I've heard. "Where you going" he asks. Someone says Alaska and he looks to me for confirmation, I just nod. He looks disappointed then tries to put a positive slant on it until someone tells him that it's New York. He looks absolutely delighted.
Since then, apart from a little frustration after speaking to my mother, I've been bouncing around everywhere. Went to see the Head, she hasn't yet received the full information on the match. So at the moment I know very little about her except what I've been able to glean from Google, which actually isn't that little. She seems to have had a very busy life.
The school looks like it'll be absolutely fantastic.
Now I need to read the fistful of other papers that were in the envelope. I hope there's not one at the back saying "ONLY JOKING".
It gets to lunchtime. Get my lunch from the canteen as usual and head up to the staff room. Plate in one hand I get an envelope out of my pigeon hole with the other fully expecting it to be the normal nonsense from one company or another. I turn to walk to the table while simultaneously turning the envelope over. There's a sticker on the front saying British Council. I get to the table in somewhat of a daze. "It's here" I say rather faintly, "oh my god". A friend and colleague reaches a hand out from the other side of the table.
"Give it here" he said. I start to hand him my plate as there isn't anywhere to put it while I open the envelope. "Not that" he tells me "you're not opening it, give it here". I don't give it to him "no, I'm ok, I'll do it", put my plate down and kneel on the chairs behind me. I open the envelope which is full of papers. The top one says that they've identified a possible exchange partner for me. They give me her name and further down the name and address of the school.
It's in New York, oh my god, I'm going to New York, Bronx to be exact. I turn to everyone, they're waiting expectantly. "I'm going to New York" I scream. There's a chorus of well dones, fantastics and wonderfuls from all around the staff room while a few members of staff who have no idea what I'm talking about look puzzled. I tell them the name of the match, the school and that it's in Bronx. I seem to just say over and over again "oh my god I'm going to New York". Then I start to weep. I weep because waiting to hear has made me rather stressed and highly strung, I weep with joy that I'm going to New York, I weep because it's about the only thing left in me I can do.
As I'm weeping the friend that's possibly borne most of my worries and stress about the whole ordeal comes into the staffroom. He sees me crying and guesses that I've heard. "Where you going" he asks. Someone says Alaska and he looks to me for confirmation, I just nod. He looks disappointed then tries to put a positive slant on it until someone tells him that it's New York. He looks absolutely delighted.
Since then, apart from a little frustration after speaking to my mother, I've been bouncing around everywhere. Went to see the Head, she hasn't yet received the full information on the match. So at the moment I know very little about her except what I've been able to glean from Google, which actually isn't that little. She seems to have had a very busy life.
The school looks like it'll be absolutely fantastic.
Now I need to read the fistful of other papers that were in the envelope. I hope there's not one at the back saying "ONLY JOKING".
Tuesday 13 February 2007
Yet another form...
I got an email a yesterday asking that I fill out a form for the Fulbright Commission urgently and email it to someone at the Commission. The form is simple enough, although having problems thinking about what my "most significant publications/honors/awards/projects or other accomplishments" are. But it's in PDF format. It's been done in such a way that the form can be typed onto and printed out but it's not possible to save the typing. Therefore it's not possible to email to the person. I'm not able to edit PDFs, so not quite sure what to do about this urgent form. They did send instructions on how to make it save but it's not working.
Hmmm...
Hmmm...
Monday 12 February 2007
Immunizations
I need to get all my immunizations up to date. I am entitled, under the NHS, to have certain immunizatnios kept up to date for free. OK no-one I know does but it is our right to have them.
I phoned my GP to arrange to have it done. Anyone would think I was asking to have travel vaccinations to go to Mars or something. It's been very hard work to get something that I am entitled to. But anyway finally the appointment is on Thursday. I just hope that I actually get the injections, the receptionist kept on referring to my appointment to chekc if my immunizations are up to date, I kept correcting and saying "yes, that and actually giving them to me so that they are all up to date".
We shall see.
I phoned my GP to arrange to have it done. Anyone would think I was asking to have travel vaccinations to go to Mars or something. It's been very hard work to get something that I am entitled to. But anyway finally the appointment is on Thursday. I just hope that I actually get the injections, the receptionist kept on referring to my appointment to chekc if my immunizations are up to date, I kept correcting and saying "yes, that and actually giving them to me so that they are all up to date".
We shall see.
Monday 5 February 2007
Random worries
I keep having very random thoughts and worries about this whole thing. I mean I really want to do it, I'm just getting snarled up in the details.
I have to have a medical examination by my GP to get my visa. They tell us it'll take approximately 2 hours and that we'll probably have to pay. I made a preliminary enquiry with my GP just to find out how much it'll cost so that I could start saving for it. The receptionist was adamant that they wouldn't do it, they only allow a double appointment, 20 minutes, for medical exams. So what am I going to do about that?
I also need to have had a BCG immunisation in the last 5 years. If not a chest x-ray needs to be taken to show immunity. I had my BCG when I was in school as did everyone else my age. I don't fancy a chest x-ray or paying for it. Mum just suggested a way out would be to just get another BCG which is a great idea. I thought that as I'm a teacher I would just speak to the school nurse about when the next round of immunisations are in school and try and get it done at the same time. However, it would appear that they no longer immunise every child at a certain age, only those at risk. I may try asking anyway.
The alternative is to phone up my GP tomorrow and ask to have it done there. I'm going back to Wales next week, where my mum lives and where my GP still is, so I might be able to get it done. We also need to have up-to-date immunisations to work in many school districts in the States so I was thinking of just asking to have everything done that could be possibly out of date. I've no idea how much it'll all cost, though maybe I'll be able to swing having a lot of them done for free, I can claim to be exposed to lots of germs being a teacher.
Currently I live in a rented house. It has two bedrooms so I put on my application form that there was room for 2 adults and a child. I'm waiting to receive a not insignificant amount of money at the moment. I'd like to use it to buy a flat so that I don't have to worry about the landlord getting suspicious that I'm not living there and also so that I know I've definitely got somewhere to live when i get back. Problem is I can only afford a one bedroom flat in this area, which is absolutely fine for just me but might cause a problem if I'm matched with someone who suits my current 2 adults and a child accommodation. What I need is a donor, or several donors to give me money so that I can afford a 2 bed place!!!
I might be going out to Florida at Easter. My family are going and they want me to go with them. I'm in two minds though as I feel I really ought to be saving money. But if the match with my partner has already been made then i was thinking I could take a few days out of the holiday to fly or drive to meet my partner and see my new school. It would be terribly exciting. I doubt there's many who meet their partner before the Washington orientation and even fewer that see their new school. So do I go or do I stay?
I'm worried about making friends when I get there. I know, or at least hope that some kind of support network will have been put in place for me but they may meet me and decide they don't want anything else to do with me. I know what in the first couple of meetings with new people the general impression I give of myself is that I'm a miserable cow. I have been told this by most of my, now very good, friends.
I'm dreadfully shy with new people in a social situation although I am learning to overcome it somewhat now it is still very much present. It happens in new work places as well, so maybe my "friends" and my new colleagues will think I'm miserable. I hope not. I'm sure I will make friends. I mean I moved to London not knowing a soul and now I have a great group of friends. But it is a worry.
I have to have a medical examination by my GP to get my visa. They tell us it'll take approximately 2 hours and that we'll probably have to pay. I made a preliminary enquiry with my GP just to find out how much it'll cost so that I could start saving for it. The receptionist was adamant that they wouldn't do it, they only allow a double appointment, 20 minutes, for medical exams. So what am I going to do about that?
I also need to have had a BCG immunisation in the last 5 years. If not a chest x-ray needs to be taken to show immunity. I had my BCG when I was in school as did everyone else my age. I don't fancy a chest x-ray or paying for it. Mum just suggested a way out would be to just get another BCG which is a great idea. I thought that as I'm a teacher I would just speak to the school nurse about when the next round of immunisations are in school and try and get it done at the same time. However, it would appear that they no longer immunise every child at a certain age, only those at risk. I may try asking anyway.
The alternative is to phone up my GP tomorrow and ask to have it done there. I'm going back to Wales next week, where my mum lives and where my GP still is, so I might be able to get it done. We also need to have up-to-date immunisations to work in many school districts in the States so I was thinking of just asking to have everything done that could be possibly out of date. I've no idea how much it'll all cost, though maybe I'll be able to swing having a lot of them done for free, I can claim to be exposed to lots of germs being a teacher.
Currently I live in a rented house. It has two bedrooms so I put on my application form that there was room for 2 adults and a child. I'm waiting to receive a not insignificant amount of money at the moment. I'd like to use it to buy a flat so that I don't have to worry about the landlord getting suspicious that I'm not living there and also so that I know I've definitely got somewhere to live when i get back. Problem is I can only afford a one bedroom flat in this area, which is absolutely fine for just me but might cause a problem if I'm matched with someone who suits my current 2 adults and a child accommodation. What I need is a donor, or several donors to give me money so that I can afford a 2 bed place!!!
I might be going out to Florida at Easter. My family are going and they want me to go with them. I'm in two minds though as I feel I really ought to be saving money. But if the match with my partner has already been made then i was thinking I could take a few days out of the holiday to fly or drive to meet my partner and see my new school. It would be terribly exciting. I doubt there's many who meet their partner before the Washington orientation and even fewer that see their new school. So do I go or do I stay?
I'm worried about making friends when I get there. I know, or at least hope that some kind of support network will have been put in place for me but they may meet me and decide they don't want anything else to do with me. I know what in the first couple of meetings with new people the general impression I give of myself is that I'm a miserable cow. I have been told this by most of my, now very good, friends.
I'm dreadfully shy with new people in a social situation although I am learning to overcome it somewhat now it is still very much present. It happens in new work places as well, so maybe my "friends" and my new colleagues will think I'm miserable. I hope not. I'm sure I will make friends. I mean I moved to London not knowing a soul and now I have a great group of friends. But it is a worry.
Thursday 1 February 2007
Forms to post
I finally got round to posting off the forms that were sent with the acceptance letter. Very bad of me I know but one of them was to say that yes I was definitely going to take part and I wanted to think about it.
But they've gone now. I've signed my life away. I've stated that:
But they've gone now. I've signed my life away. I've stated that:
- I wish to proceed as a candidate in the exchange
- I have sufficient funds available (at least £18,000!!!!!!). Well, I will have through the year with my salary, I hope it doesn't mean I should have it in one lump at the start
- How I heard about them. It's so long ago that I actually can't remember. I made something up.
- There are no reasons why I might have to withdraw my application
- There are no medical problems which might stop me taking part
- I've had no major illnesses over the last 5 years (except for a slipped disc in my neck which has resulted in exactly zero time off work)
- I'm confident my salary and savings will be sufficient for the year
- I know I have to return to my school on my return
- I don't have a spouse to worry about whether they will find work or not
- I understand that the accommodation arrangements are private between me and my partner
- I'd rather go to San Francisco if I got the choice. Or New York
- I have a valid driving licence
- The religion and sex of the exchange teacher is irrelevant to my school
Monday 22 January 2007
Letter Arrived 2
Yet another day at work. Lunch time finally arrives. I collect my lunch and head to the staffroom. Before sitting down to eat I check my pigeon hole as usual. There's a large brown envelope. Assuming it to be just the normal post I wander to the table. Glancing at the envelope I notice the British Council logo on the outside. I tell my friend in a worried voice that it's a letter from the British Council. He takes it off me to open, assuming that I don't want to do it myself. I take it back from him and take out the envelope. I read the opening line - "Many thanks for attending our selection meeting. I am pleased to inform you that you have been recommended as a candidate...". I didn't need to read anymore and announced excitedly that I was going to America!
It's still sinking in, though my friends seem very pleased for me. I should start hearing about possible matches in March.
It's still sinking in, though my friends seem very pleased for me. I should start hearing about possible matches in March.
Saturday 13 January 2007
Interview Day
I had my interview today. I was, strangely, not as nervous as I thought I'd be.
I arrived at the British Council offices, just off Trafalgar Square, right on time at 10am. On arrival I had to go through a set of very bizarre doors. I swiped your security pass, stepped in a cylinder of glass, the door behind slid round behind me. When that was closed the front part of the cylinder slid aside and I could step out.
I went upstairs to find people wandering round. I was given my name badge and pointed in the direction of the tea and coffee. Over coffee I got to chatting with another interviewee. We had half an hour to wait until the day started properly. We chatted for a while, finding out a little more about each other and why we wanted to do the exchange. As we talked around 30 people arrived one by one into the room. Soon there was a loud buzz of conversation.
At 10.30 the day started. We were introduced to members of the panel, amongst them British Council staff, a representative from the US Embassy, members of the exchange committee and alumni of the scheme. We were given a brief outline of the scheme and it's organisation. The speaker then went on to talk about the realities of participating in the exchange. We were given a list of bad reasons to take part in the exchange, such as coming out of a difficult relationship, having pressures at work, wanting to escape something and things that could negatively affect the exchange such as financial hardship. She then went over the agenda for the day.
We were split into groups, one group of primary teachers and two groups of secondary teachers. My group of secondary teachers went upstairs to the boardroom. The view was fantastic. It looked out over the rooftops towards the London Eye and the House of Parliament. There were eight teachers, one of whom had brought her husband, and 3 people on the interview panel - a representative of the British Council, the representative from the US Embassy and someone who took part in the exchange last academic year.
We started by introducing ourselves. I started. I was really pleased with myself, I spoke clearly, concisely and confidently, I also managed to address some of the points that we would be covering in the interview. We formally started the interview by examining our motivation for taking part in the exchange. We were asked how supportive our Heads were and what support plans we had for our partner. I was able to outline what would be in place for my partner and also highlighted the fact that because we had been in special measures, come out of it and improving still (no point in hiding the fact, it'd come out in the OfSTED report they'd read anyway) that we had good support in school, that members of staff supported each other not just in department but across departments as well. I also talked about student teachers and the NQT program that my partner will be able to take part in.
We were asked how we would support our partner socially. I replied that my friends were very much looking forward to getting rid of me so that they could show my partner round! They seemed to like that.
We looked at what we could contribute to our exchange school, for example extra curricular classes and clubs. The representative from the US Embassy spoke at length about various aspects of American life and schools. It was very interesting and gave us all food for thought. The alumnus also told us about things she found difficult and funny anecdotes.
The interview was very long, although it didn't feel it at the time. I feel I said the things I needed to say and explained myself clearly. When we finished we went for lunch. There were plates of sandwiches, with two plates of only vegetarian ones and to top it off the plates were marked as being vegetarian! Yay, it doesn't take much to keep me happy. While we ate lunch we mingled and chatted. During the course of the hour I chatted to the US Embassy guy, the alumnus from my group, other interviewees and other alumni.
When lunch was finished we all remained in the room to be told what would happen next. They told us that we were the last interview group so would hear in the next two weeks if we were accepted onto the exchange. We were given information about visas and told that if we participate in the exchange we won't be able to get a working visa for the USA for 5 years afterwards!
There was then a question and answer session involving everyone from the interview panel. There were some interesting experiences to listen to.
Fingers crossed I hear soon.
I arrived at the British Council offices, just off Trafalgar Square, right on time at 10am. On arrival I had to go through a set of very bizarre doors. I swiped your security pass, stepped in a cylinder of glass, the door behind slid round behind me. When that was closed the front part of the cylinder slid aside and I could step out.
I went upstairs to find people wandering round. I was given my name badge and pointed in the direction of the tea and coffee. Over coffee I got to chatting with another interviewee. We had half an hour to wait until the day started properly. We chatted for a while, finding out a little more about each other and why we wanted to do the exchange. As we talked around 30 people arrived one by one into the room. Soon there was a loud buzz of conversation.
At 10.30 the day started. We were introduced to members of the panel, amongst them British Council staff, a representative from the US Embassy, members of the exchange committee and alumni of the scheme. We were given a brief outline of the scheme and it's organisation. The speaker then went on to talk about the realities of participating in the exchange. We were given a list of bad reasons to take part in the exchange, such as coming out of a difficult relationship, having pressures at work, wanting to escape something and things that could negatively affect the exchange such as financial hardship. She then went over the agenda for the day.
We were split into groups, one group of primary teachers and two groups of secondary teachers. My group of secondary teachers went upstairs to the boardroom. The view was fantastic. It looked out over the rooftops towards the London Eye and the House of Parliament. There were eight teachers, one of whom had brought her husband, and 3 people on the interview panel - a representative of the British Council, the representative from the US Embassy and someone who took part in the exchange last academic year.
We started by introducing ourselves. I started. I was really pleased with myself, I spoke clearly, concisely and confidently, I also managed to address some of the points that we would be covering in the interview. We formally started the interview by examining our motivation for taking part in the exchange. We were asked how supportive our Heads were and what support plans we had for our partner. I was able to outline what would be in place for my partner and also highlighted the fact that because we had been in special measures, come out of it and improving still (no point in hiding the fact, it'd come out in the OfSTED report they'd read anyway) that we had good support in school, that members of staff supported each other not just in department but across departments as well. I also talked about student teachers and the NQT program that my partner will be able to take part in.
We were asked how we would support our partner socially. I replied that my friends were very much looking forward to getting rid of me so that they could show my partner round! They seemed to like that.
We looked at what we could contribute to our exchange school, for example extra curricular classes and clubs. The representative from the US Embassy spoke at length about various aspects of American life and schools. It was very interesting and gave us all food for thought. The alumnus also told us about things she found difficult and funny anecdotes.
The interview was very long, although it didn't feel it at the time. I feel I said the things I needed to say and explained myself clearly. When we finished we went for lunch. There were plates of sandwiches, with two plates of only vegetarian ones and to top it off the plates were marked as being vegetarian! Yay, it doesn't take much to keep me happy. While we ate lunch we mingled and chatted. During the course of the hour I chatted to the US Embassy guy, the alumnus from my group, other interviewees and other alumni.
When lunch was finished we all remained in the room to be told what would happen next. They told us that we were the last interview group so would hear in the next two weeks if we were accepted onto the exchange. We were given information about visas and told that if we participate in the exchange we won't be able to get a working visa for the USA for 5 years afterwards!
There was then a question and answer session involving everyone from the interview panel. There were some interesting experiences to listen to.
Fingers crossed I hear soon.
Friday 12 January 2007
One day to go.
So my interview is tomorrow. I'm worried about a few things. Like what to wear, full proper suit or a little more casual in smart work clothes because it's a Saturday. I have no idea and my friends have different views.
I'm worried that as it's a group interview the shy person that sits on my shoulder and dominates me from time to time will decide that Saturday is a good time to appear. I'm not good with groups of new people. I do suffer from shyness that seems to make me incapable of saying anything even when I have something I want to say. I soon overcome it but it takes more than a day.
I'm desperately trying to remember everything I wrote on my application form so I can refer to it and develop those ideas. I'm worried I'll forget it all. I've also been brushing up on the ethos of the Fulbright Commission so I can make sure I relate my answer to it. That's not too difficult though. The founder said: “The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.” - Senator J William Fulbright. The Fulbright Commission was started in the aftermath of World War II. It promotes peace and understanding through educational exchange. Senator Fulbright believed that this would be an essential vehicle for mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders.
The interview is at 10am tomorrow and goes on until at least 3pm. There's going to be talks giving us information about everything then group discussions to explore our motivation for participating in the exchange and what we and our institutions hope to gain from the experience.
Fingers crossed it all goes well.
I'm worried that as it's a group interview the shy person that sits on my shoulder and dominates me from time to time will decide that Saturday is a good time to appear. I'm not good with groups of new people. I do suffer from shyness that seems to make me incapable of saying anything even when I have something I want to say. I soon overcome it but it takes more than a day.
I'm desperately trying to remember everything I wrote on my application form so I can refer to it and develop those ideas. I'm worried I'll forget it all. I've also been brushing up on the ethos of the Fulbright Commission so I can make sure I relate my answer to it. That's not too difficult though. The founder said: “The Fulbright Commission aims to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.” - Senator J William Fulbright. The Fulbright Commission was started in the aftermath of World War II. It promotes peace and understanding through educational exchange. Senator Fulbright believed that this would be an essential vehicle for mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders.
The interview is at 10am tomorrow and goes on until at least 3pm. There's going to be talks giving us information about everything then group discussions to explore our motivation for participating in the exchange and what we and our institutions hope to gain from the experience.
Fingers crossed it all goes well.
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