PDO, Forks in the Road, Life Lessons, & other Ramblings

     Although it's now July, there's never been a better time to reflect back on the incredible

Lyrics from OneRepublic's "I Lived".

experience I had at the YES Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation in Washington D.C, better known simply as "PDO". On June 24th, I departed Saint Louis for D.C for 4 jam-packed days of learning, connecting, preparation, sightseeing, and every other activity that could possibly be done with 65 other worldly youth ambassadors about to embark on year-long journeys around the globe! As my flight was taking off from Saint Louis, the experience suddenly became real... and of course, many exchange students claim they have similar cliche feelings, but it really is true. I remember listening to "I Lived" by OneRepublic as the wheels lifted off the tarmac and being overcome by intense emotion. I had feelings I had never felt before. The song captured what I was feeling perfectly. That was the moment that I finally realized that I really was owning every second that the world could give me. I wasn't dreaming of this anymore, I had made it happen. Receiving this scholarship to study abroad in Thailand and serve as a youth ambassador has been the greatest achievement of my entire life. I had never felt true pride before... and now I can say I have.

   

I don't quite see the resemblance.

During the PDO, we had a State Department visit where we were able to talk to State Department officials about the YES Abroad program, world issues, future careers, and various questions we had. We also had a region specific specialist talk to the country groups about the part of the world  we are traveling to. I also visited the Smithsonian Museum for Asian Art, where I was able to marvel over great works with Buddhist, Muslim, and Hindu influences, which are the among the most practiced religions in Thailand. I was also able to snap a selfie with my good friend Buddha! I have been told I resemble him quite candidly... it must be the ears. Further, we had many workshops during our time at the PDO to better prepare us for our year's abroad, including adjustment workshops, and workshops to teach us how to use social media effectively to share our experiences. However, I  think  believe the greatest times of PDO were spent with the delinquents I call my  friends  best friends. We had limited time together, but we made every second count. Because we spent every second we could together, we didn't really think about taking too many pictures, but I thought I should include a picture of Victoria (going to Indonesia) trying on my shoes. It was definitely a highlight seeing people try on my huge shoes!

I wonder if they have
size 14 shoes in Thailand.

     As Friday rolled around, it was time to say goodbye to everyone. I will never see a lot of my peers ever again, which is a quite surreal feeling. Next Summer, I hope to have a reunion with the Third Floor Lounge kids. For those of you who don't know what that means, it is the lounge in the 4H center where the PDO was held that we always congregated at. It's almost our 2nd home. As we all depart for our journeys, I want to say good luck to all of you guys! Eat all of the food in your country that I cannot. Post worldly selfies on Instagram. Live life to the fullest! We're doing incredible things, and we're all under 18. How rad is that?!

     Finally, many of you may be wondering why I am still in America. Well, there was a fork in the road. I was supposed to depart on July 2nd for Los Angeles, the 3rd for Tokyo, and the 4th for Bangkok. Because of the political unrest in Thailand back in May, the State Department issued a travel warning to "avoid all unnecessary travel" to Thailand until August 21st. Although it is completely safe in Thailand, the State Department only wanted to keep us students as safe as possible, and because they are funding my exchange, we were delayed. I was quite bummed at first, but then I realized that I now have more time to learn Thai, learn more about Thailand, spend time with friends and family, and tie up loose ends with school before I leave. However, this warning has since been lifted. Now, I will depart Saint Louis on August 11th for New York City for a program-specific orientation, and then depart for Tokyo on the 12th, and Bangkok on the 13th. I couldn't possibly be more excited! 

Until next time,

Brandon