This July, I will be venturing to Southeast Asia with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship program for one year in Thailand! After reaching alternate status last year and eventually not receiving the scholarship, to now being offered the scholarship of a lifetime, I could not possess any more excitement! I took this past year as an invitation to change my life for the better-not a rejection. And I'm incredibly proud knowing that I never gave up.
I cannot even begin to imagine the experiences I will have in Thailand. From reading the blogs of past and present YES students in Thailand, marveling over pictures, and researching almost everything I can about the culture, I can tell that I'm in for one wild, crazy, eventful year! I'm creating a Thailand bucket list as we speak. As of right now, I'm most excited to explore Bangkok and all of the markets in the city! Also, I would be lying if I said I wasn't excited to ride an elephant or two, or ten, while I'm there. There's an immense amount of opportunities to be excited for in Thailand, I cannot even process them all!
I also just want to congratulate every other YES Abroad scholarship recipient for this fantastic achievement. I know we all placed so much time, effort, and passion into this program. I also want to thank the U.S Department of State, American Councils, and AFS for giving me the chance to represent my country as a youth ambassador, and make my country proud!
This adventure would not be possible without the amazing people I have met through this program already. I want to give a special shout-out to Abeeha Shamshad, my ride or die, the annoying little sister I never wanted, the Bay area sports fan I absolutely despise, and my absolute best friend for encouraging me this past year and a half. You deserve everything you desire, and one day, you'll make big changes to this world. I hope you're by my side every step of the way in Thailand and my entire life. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you.
Finally, I want to say thank you to my friends and my family for sticking with me throughout this entire journey. You have all put up with countless hours of me daydreaming about the adventures I always hoped to have, and the countries I hoped to someday visit. And now, it's no longer daydreaming, it's reality.
As for now, I'm off to study for AP, ACT, and SAT testing. School consumes most of my life at this point in time, but hopefully soon preparing for Thailand will be my number one priority! Talk to you guys soon!
