National PDO

Talk about an exciting week! This week was our National Pre-Departure Orientation. YES Abroad students gathered to our nation's capital--it was the last time we'd all be together in one place.

I arrived by plane to the Dulles airport where I was greeted by friends and other YES Students, all excited to start off this trip. We had no idea what to expect, just that it would be fun and a lot of work. It was definitely both. Definitely.

The second day of our stay was full of long workshops that were both informative and helpful, but LONG. It was alright, though. I met all of the Indonesia group, and we took a group shot!

From left to right (top row then bottom row): Sara (Our group leader), Aiden, Me!, Helene, Madison, Victoria, and Lindsay.

As you can see, we were all excited to take a break from our workshops and get a chance to take this shot. I was so excited to meet them all! I knew the names, but not the faces or personalities. Let me just say that I have an excellent group, and we're going to have a GREAT year in Indonesia. I can't wait to see them again in August for our Gateway Orientation!

We talked a lot about cultural differences we would run into and how to handle them. I was super excited to learn all of that. I feel a bit more prepared for my exchange now that I've not only talked in depth about what we may face, but also got a chance to talk to my group leader who is an alum who went to our country and could give us her experiences. That made these workshops fun and easy to get through.

The third day of PDO was to be our Embassy Visit Day. I faced one of my first disappointments as an exchange student, though minor. Indonesia was not going to our embassy. It wasn't a huge deal, but I did want to go and practice my Indonesian there. Luckily we went to a museum full of Asian art. That was great, and there was plenty to learn and see. I also got to get well acquainted with some group members, and that was the most fulfilling part of that trip.

Here are some pictures:

There were lots of cool things to see beyond these few pictures I shot. I really enjoyed this part of my morning. So much so, that I forgot how early in the morning it was to take this selfie with my friend Brandon (Thailand) on the bus!

I didn't know the flash was on, nor that the picture had been taken. Who cares, we're still too fab for words.

Also, outside of the museum and in front of the Smithsonian Castle, Indonesia group took another picture: this time with a real flag!

We were so excited to get that flag!

 After that was our Department of State visit! We loaded back on the bus and drove down to the Department of State, only to realize we were an hour early. So we took a walk to the park and chilled in the grass for an hour to kill some time. After we had completely relaxed from our morning excursions, we walked back to the Department of State building. I won't go into too much detail on what happened there, but it was very interesting and I believe we learned a lot!

Next we headed off to the Lincoln Memorial to take that well-known group shot that seems to be infamous each year. And boy was it great:

No, no. That wasn't the real group shot. I mean, it was a group shot, but it was taken after we took this amazing one.

Your YES Abroad class of 2014-2015!

Yes, don't we all look great? I can tell you that everyone was looking forward to this shot. I love it.

After this shot, Indonesia took one quick group photo, and then we were back on the bus and to the hotel. Our last day of PDO was tomorrow, and I was honestly feeling a bit down about that. I really wanted to stay longer with these wonderful kids, but it wasn't meant to be. At least I'll be seeing Indonesia again very soon in August!

Our last day was full of goodbyes and there was a mixed feeling of happiness and sadness in the air. We had to say goodbye to the Philippines, who are headed off as I type! And then another goodbye to the groups heading out the next week and so on. I think it really wasn't a goodbye, though. I believe if we want too, we will all meet up again. Fingers crossed.

So overall, PDO was great. I learned a lot, met more people (all of the Indonesia group, except Victoria, were people I hadn't met at IPSE!), and realized just how real this exchange is! It hasn't fully blasted me that I'll be spending a year in another country, but it should soon. Right now I'm reliving my time so far and getting ready for the year ahead. I don't have much more to say, except good luck to all of those traveling now, and halo to my Indonesia group. You guys are great. In memory of that short lived chant our Indonesia table had:

Satu, dua, tiga: Indonesia Raya!
(One, two, three: Great Indonesia!)

Until next time,
Selamat Tinggal!

-Baillie