The day of acceptance will probably rank in my top 10 "Happiest Moments Ever" list, partially because I felt like I would not get in at all.
If you read my post about the interview, you'll know that I felt pretty good about it. However, as time went by, I became even more anxious. AFS told us that the results would come in by the first week of April, but they ended up pushing it back another week. Finally, when the second week of April came, I really couldn't keep my composure that well, especially in school.
My past experience with NSLI-Y had taught me that those accepted were announced first, then those who were rejected. Actually, let's call it "denied" (the college/career center lady at my school always corrects me when I say "rejected"). So on the weekend, I check our wonderful CBYX Hopefuls group on Facebook, and see some "AHHHHH ACCEPTED!" posts. I was sincerely really, really happy for them. That was Friday. Then on Saturday, more people got good news, including a girl from Maryland. I'm from Maryland. That got me really nervous.
On Saturday night, the girl from Maryland messages me on Facebook, saying that she has something important to tell me. I ask her what it is, and she tells me that her interviewer called her, and told her that three people got selected from our state. I ask her if she knows any other people who got the scholarship, and she says yes--one other girl from her selection committee got it. My expression: -sigh- :(
Then she tells me that the last person who got it lived in Bethesda. My expression: :(((((((((( -sobs-
I don't live in Bethesda, but I go to school there. Hearing that news was the worst feeling ever. I was pretty sure that was the end of my study abroad dream. I even posted on Facebook that I was 99.99999999% sure that I wouldn't get the scholarship.
On Sunday, I was in a pretty bad mood. My parents kept on rushing me off to church, but I didn't feel like going because I was scared I would break down in the middle of a sermon. So I ended up not going, and felt pretty guilty about it too. Right after my parents came home from church, they apologized to me for being so not supportive. Quote: "We didn't know you wanted to go that bad." -_-
Almost immediately afterward, the phone rang. My mom picks it up, and says, "Wait a minute." She comes to my room: "It's the Germany people. That's her nickname for AFS. I thought it was the "Sorry, you were a strong applicant, but unfortunately did not receive the scholarship" call.
The conversation:
Interviewer: Hello, this is Bob Rushing, you know, I interviewed you. And I have some good news for you!
Me: Oh..really? (What a non-thought out response.)
Interviewer: I am happy to inform you that you have gotten the scholarship--that means you will be going to Germany!
Me: Oh...thank you so much! (Again, could I not sound happier?)
Interviewer: -Blah, blah, blah, blah....- (I wasn't listening after that. I zoned out completely. All I remember is something about emails coming on Monday.)
Me: Thank you so much!
And then I hang up.
Probably the worst conversation I've ever had.
My parents laughed at me and said, "Well, looks like you're on your own now!"
Laughing and crying at the same time--it's the weirdest feeling ever. That night, I couldn't sleep at all. I would have those random moments where I got too excited, and run around like a maniac.
I also had the sudden revelation that the interviewer probably made a mistake, and couldn't calm down until Monday, when I got an official email from AFS.
It's funny how I still zone out when AFS calls me.
If you read my post about the interview, you'll know that I felt pretty good about it. However, as time went by, I became even more anxious. AFS told us that the results would come in by the first week of April, but they ended up pushing it back another week. Finally, when the second week of April came, I really couldn't keep my composure that well, especially in school.
My past experience with NSLI-Y had taught me that those accepted were announced first, then those who were rejected. Actually, let's call it "denied" (the college/career center lady at my school always corrects me when I say "rejected"). So on the weekend, I check our wonderful CBYX Hopefuls group on Facebook, and see some "AHHHHH ACCEPTED!" posts. I was sincerely really, really happy for them. That was Friday. Then on Saturday, more people got good news, including a girl from Maryland. I'm from Maryland. That got me really nervous.
On Saturday night, the girl from Maryland messages me on Facebook, saying that she has something important to tell me. I ask her what it is, and she tells me that her interviewer called her, and told her that three people got selected from our state. I ask her if she knows any other people who got the scholarship, and she says yes--one other girl from her selection committee got it. My expression: -sigh- :(
Then she tells me that the last person who got it lived in Bethesda. My expression: :(((((((((( -sobs-
I don't live in Bethesda, but I go to school there. Hearing that news was the worst feeling ever. I was pretty sure that was the end of my study abroad dream. I even posted on Facebook that I was 99.99999999% sure that I wouldn't get the scholarship.
On Sunday, I was in a pretty bad mood. My parents kept on rushing me off to church, but I didn't feel like going because I was scared I would break down in the middle of a sermon. So I ended up not going, and felt pretty guilty about it too. Right after my parents came home from church, they apologized to me for being so not supportive. Quote: "We didn't know you wanted to go that bad." -_-
Almost immediately afterward, the phone rang. My mom picks it up, and says, "Wait a minute." She comes to my room: "It's the Germany people. That's her nickname for AFS. I thought it was the "Sorry, you were a strong applicant, but unfortunately did not receive the scholarship" call.
The conversation:
Interviewer: Hello, this is Bob Rushing, you know, I interviewed you. And I have some good news for you!
Me: Oh..really? (What a non-thought out response.)
Interviewer: I am happy to inform you that you have gotten the scholarship--that means you will be going to Germany!
Me: Oh...thank you so much! (Again, could I not sound happier?)
Interviewer: -Blah, blah, blah, blah....- (I wasn't listening after that. I zoned out completely. All I remember is something about emails coming on Monday.)
Me: Thank you so much!
And then I hang up.
Probably the worst conversation I've ever had.
My parents laughed at me and said, "Well, looks like you're on your own now!"
Laughing and crying at the same time--it's the weirdest feeling ever. That night, I couldn't sleep at all. I would have those random moments where I got too excited, and run around like a maniac.
I also had the sudden revelation that the interviewer probably made a mistake, and couldn't calm down until Monday, when I got an official email from AFS.
It's funny how I still zone out when AFS calls me.
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