One.

Hello All!
My name is Elaine Anderson and I am leaving for Mexico in 2 days. It still feels unnatural to write that, even though I have been telling people about this exchange for the past 9 months. Phrases like "Yes, I am SO excited" and " I've been studying Spanish but I still have a lot to learn" and "Well, I'll probably have to drink the water at some point" have been more prevalent in my vocabulary this summer than ever before. I have a half packed bag sitting on my bed. I have what seems like a thousand-point checklist circulating through my head. But sometimes, I still can't believe I'm going.


I really should have started this blog last November, when all of this became real, but I guess I'll just have to get you caught up right now.

I started dreaming of this exchange when I read "The New Global Student" by Maya Frost. I would recommend it. To everyone. Anyway, that was in late August 2010.

During September and October of last year, I started to filled out the application. This is when I first realized how blessed I am to have supportive parents. I'd read other people's blogs about trying to convince their parents that this was a good idea, and realized that I never had to sit down and change my parents' minds or present them with this information. They were there with me every step, and still are. After the application was complete and the "Country Selection" segment had undergone its 38th adjustment, I focused my energy on getting myself stressed out for "THE Interview". The one I'd heard horror stories about. The one that would potentially tell me that I was unfit to be an exchange student. In early November, I was interviewed. Two weeks later I found out I was accepted. Everyone who interviewed me (there were 2 rebounds and 2 younger rotarians) was very kind and passionate about Youth Exchange. It was nothing to be stressed over and I actually learned a lot of good information.

Over the next months, I found out the Mexico would be my country, My third choice! I was thrilled.


I then got an email from my host brother, telling me that I would be living in Villahermosa, Tabasco! Again, I was thrilled. My host family seems VERY warm and kind and I can't wait to meet them.

This summer was a whirl of orientations, Visa shenanigans, and packing (sort of). This summer passed more quickly than any other period of time in my life. I have all of the gifts I'm bring ready, but I'm still not sure what personal items I will bring. I should get on that.

So if you're interested in how a small town girl from Wisconsin adjusts to life in a city of one million, or how a girl who loves snow adjusts to a tropical climate, or how a girl with 3 sisters adjusts to life with 3 brothers, or perhaps you know me from school, then Stay Tuned.

I'm fascinated to see how this will turn out!