Hello all!
I haven't forgotten about those who donated! No worries! You'll all soon be receiving your 'repayment' for having been so kind as to contribute to my efforts and help me study abroad! Within a few weeks, the calenders will be finished (for those who graciously donated so much), and the small gifts and post cards will be sent to the appropriate recipients! I'd like to thank each and every one of you again for your contributions!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
An AFS Summer in Review...
I'd like to appoligize for not having kept up with my blog as much as I would have liked... Internet connections in Argentina I quickly learned were not always the most reliable... but I guess I have no excuse for after I returned...! So here goes... (I mean, I DO have until I return to Argentina to describe EVEYRTHING, don't I?)
(Yes, I already have plans to return at some point in my life... hopefully as soon as possible!)
In short: My trip was FANTASTIC! I could not have asked for more (except for maybe more time abroad)!
The first few weeks were however, not quite as fun. After the first few days, I started to realize that my host dad wasn't exactly the most respectful or helpful to my host mom. He was also hard to talk to... not because I didn't understand him, but he joked around nearly the entire time and was never serious. (But it's okay). I talked to my liaison there, and he said that my host dad didn't mean bad. We (my host mom and dad), talked and everything was at better standing soon after. (However I never did create a very strong relationship with him; I was closer with my host mom). I was also "sick" with something of allergies for a few weeks, though I think I was still adjusting to the elevation, climate, and "landscape" change. (Meaning, everything was dirt, the only paved roads were in the city or highway so there was a lot of dust in the air).
BUT... NO WORRIES!!! The rest of my trip made up for everything!
I was able to participate in a few karate classes (here I practice taekwon do, ju jitsu, and eskrima). I ended up creating fantastic relationships with all of the students there. I even taught a few seminar-like classes, and before I left, I taught alongside the karate instructor a special class for the younger karate students and their parents to participate in together! Here we also gathered food, clothes, and toys to donate to the less fortunate in my city for the following Sunday's Día de Niño. I still talk to nearly all of my karate "family" there via Skype and Facebook! How I love the Internet! I even had offers to stay with them when I go back.
School was okay in Argentina... eye opening more than anything... I never imagined going to school, but having the teachers change classes instead of the kids. It also amazed me how... different... the disciple was in the schools. In short, there was none. I met a lot of kids there too and still communicate with them too!
I loved the food, it was more or less the same, but I was able to try new things... including beef liver, intestine, and morcilla (a blood sausage made from either pig or cow). I brought back recipes to make empanadas, and about one hundred other things... I fell in love with the Argentine cuisine... especially the bread!!!
The music was amazing! One of the karate students, one who was actually a magician and who put on a show for everyone one night as we were drinking mate together at the instructor's house, gave me three CDs filled with Córdoba's sound of Cuarteto!
I was able to participate in a few English classes at a local English Institute (that the head AFS advisor ran), and with her we participated in two television interviews, and a radio interview to let all of Villa Dolores know about the AFS program and the students that were currently there!
I brought back mates and alfajores for all of my friends and family and have talked their ears off, trying to tell them about the rich culture of Argentina... and convince them to apply to study abroad... I've even considered becoming a volunteer for AFS in the future! (And those promised 'small gifts' for all who donated $50! The calanders for those who donated $100 will be comming up shortly as well, but with school starting, these last few weeks have been a bit hectic). No worries though, (I didn't forget)!
Overall, I learned so much more than just a few facts about a culture or a few new vocabulary words in Spanish... this was definitely a life changing experience for me and I can't be happier that I was chosen to participate in this program! I send a huge 'Thank You!' to all for helping me get to where I am today! I seriously hope to promote AFS's magic as much as possible! I can't even describe how beneficial this experience was not only for myself, but for my friends and family both here and there as well! I hope to someday return to Argentina and reunite with all of those who helped change my life for the better in just a few short months. Right now, I feel as if I have touched the world, and in some form made it smaller. I honestly can say that studying abrod was the best thing I've done so far in my short 17 years of life. And it's all thanks to those who supported me through the challanges both before, during, and even after as I left my family in Argentina and returned back home.
Thank you!!!
~Brianna J. Moczynski
---
On the way: waiting for the bus to bring us to Villa Dolores, Cba
My host family and I!
My host family and I: Dique de la Viña
Dique de la Viña
1st martial arts class!
An asado with my karate school!
Fútbol game together!!!
Día del Amigo
La Boca del Rio: bike ride with my host dad
Some free time at Escuela Normal (my school): fun with friends
Friends at Escuela Normal (my school).
La despedida-all the AFS students in the Córdoba/San Luis area and some AFS volunteers.
The semcial seminar at karate: food/toy/clothes gathering!
Hanging with the karate students!
Buenos Aires: La Casa Rosada-a government building
Buenos Aires: The Obelsico
(Yes, I already have plans to return at some point in my life... hopefully as soon as possible!)
In short: My trip was FANTASTIC! I could not have asked for more (except for maybe more time abroad)!
The first few weeks were however, not quite as fun. After the first few days, I started to realize that my host dad wasn't exactly the most respectful or helpful to my host mom. He was also hard to talk to... not because I didn't understand him, but he joked around nearly the entire time and was never serious. (But it's okay). I talked to my liaison there, and he said that my host dad didn't mean bad. We (my host mom and dad), talked and everything was at better standing soon after. (However I never did create a very strong relationship with him; I was closer with my host mom). I was also "sick" with something of allergies for a few weeks, though I think I was still adjusting to the elevation, climate, and "landscape" change. (Meaning, everything was dirt, the only paved roads were in the city or highway so there was a lot of dust in the air).
BUT... NO WORRIES!!! The rest of my trip made up for everything!
I was able to participate in a few karate classes (here I practice taekwon do, ju jitsu, and eskrima). I ended up creating fantastic relationships with all of the students there. I even taught a few seminar-like classes, and before I left, I taught alongside the karate instructor a special class for the younger karate students and their parents to participate in together! Here we also gathered food, clothes, and toys to donate to the less fortunate in my city for the following Sunday's Día de Niño. I still talk to nearly all of my karate "family" there via Skype and Facebook! How I love the Internet! I even had offers to stay with them when I go back.
School was okay in Argentina... eye opening more than anything... I never imagined going to school, but having the teachers change classes instead of the kids. It also amazed me how... different... the disciple was in the schools. In short, there was none. I met a lot of kids there too and still communicate with them too!
I loved the food, it was more or less the same, but I was able to try new things... including beef liver, intestine, and morcilla (a blood sausage made from either pig or cow). I brought back recipes to make empanadas, and about one hundred other things... I fell in love with the Argentine cuisine... especially the bread!!!
The music was amazing! One of the karate students, one who was actually a magician and who put on a show for everyone one night as we were drinking mate together at the instructor's house, gave me three CDs filled with Córdoba's sound of Cuarteto!
I was able to participate in a few English classes at a local English Institute (that the head AFS advisor ran), and with her we participated in two television interviews, and a radio interview to let all of Villa Dolores know about the AFS program and the students that were currently there!
I brought back mates and alfajores for all of my friends and family and have talked their ears off, trying to tell them about the rich culture of Argentina... and convince them to apply to study abroad... I've even considered becoming a volunteer for AFS in the future! (And those promised 'small gifts' for all who donated $50! The calanders for those who donated $100 will be comming up shortly as well, but with school starting, these last few weeks have been a bit hectic). No worries though, (I didn't forget)!
Overall, I learned so much more than just a few facts about a culture or a few new vocabulary words in Spanish... this was definitely a life changing experience for me and I can't be happier that I was chosen to participate in this program! I send a huge 'Thank You!' to all for helping me get to where I am today! I seriously hope to promote AFS's magic as much as possible! I can't even describe how beneficial this experience was not only for myself, but for my friends and family both here and there as well! I hope to someday return to Argentina and reunite with all of those who helped change my life for the better in just a few short months. Right now, I feel as if I have touched the world, and in some form made it smaller. I honestly can say that studying abrod was the best thing I've done so far in my short 17 years of life. And it's all thanks to those who supported me through the challanges both before, during, and even after as I left my family in Argentina and returned back home.
Thank you!!!
~Brianna J. Moczynski
---
Sunday, July 10, 2011
I'm Livin' the Argentine Life!
Wow! It's so hard to believe that on June 22nd, almost a full 20 days ago, I left my home in Wisconsin, and headed off on what has been so far, a wonderful experience, challenge, and life changing event for me!
(And to think, it's only July 10th!!! I've still got a full month to enjoy!)
When I left Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin early that Wednesday morning, I'll admit, I shed more than a few tears as I sat waiting to board the plane... as the plane was talking off... as the plane was in the air... as the plane was landing (please note, it was only about a 15 minute flight to Chicago where my connecting flight to Miami, FL was to take off at 10:30 or so)... I've never been away from home for more than two weeks, and even then, I was with people I at least knew... the flight I was on was taking me on an adventure of a lifetime and , today, I can't be more happy!
In Chicago, I met another AFS student who was on the same flight to Miami as I was; Nick Van Handel lives not too far from my own home near Milwaukee! Although he is on a slightly shorter program than I, knowing each other was a definite bonus as we arrived in Miami.
In Miami, we had an overnight Gateway Orientation at a hotel (whose Wi-Fi wasn't free and who's pool we weren't allowed to use... broma, I just wanted to be able to check in with my family back home and let them know everything was okay!), where I was able to meet with all the AFS students with destinations somewhere between Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. As the Argentina group left the hotel the next day, I was no longer 'alone', nor was I just with Nick, I had met the rest of the American AFS students going to Argentina and had gotten to know some obvious life-long friends! One of which lives in the same city as I do now! (And another from Oregon (which I learned I pronounce wrong) who made fun of my Midwest accent... I still say I don't have an accent: y'all are da ones tha' jus' talk funny!
We boarded our flight, and two meals and eight hours later, we landed in EZE in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here we met the eight or so Italian AFS students (all going to Pánara near Buenos Aires, the same city that Nick was headed!). We took a bus to another Orientation site, this time at a hostel an hour or so from the airport. Two days later, and now, as a family, we headed off to the bus station where we said our 'goodbyes', wished each other luck, and finally headed off to our host families...
After a twelve hour bus ride I finally met my host mom and dad (and dog). We stopped at my new home to drop off my suite case and my carry-on bag (which now has a nice-sized hole in the top from traveling!), ate an asado (Argentine BBQ), and soon headed off to my first Argentine Adventure! (No rest for the restless!)
Our first day together, we spent at El Dique de Viña, a dam near another small city called Mina Clavero (where another AFS student is staying). Here, we shared mate, took our first pictures together, and got to know each other better as a family! We returned home a few hours later, had dinner, and I woke up the next day ready for more!
Since then, I've met my host mom's family, spent time with Katie Whalen (the other AFS student in Villa Dolores), took a bike ride to La Boca del Rio, taught a seminar-type class at a local Karate school (and participated in many classes that followed), drank a submarino (warm milk with a dark chocolate bar on the bottom) on the top of a mountain, went to a boliche (a dance) until 5 in the morning, bought two Argentine ponchos, gone to a despedida (brides maid's party) and the wedding that followed, and visited the English Institute who's head profesora helped find my host family here in Villa Dolores!
Coming plans include a visit to Córdoba, the nearest 'big' city, and of course; next week I finally start school as an Argentine student! Hopefully I will be able to meet more people and make my experience here even better (if that's possible!) than it is already!
I will soon post pictures of my adventures here so far so please keep checking back!
¡Beso!
(And to think, it's only July 10th!!! I've still got a full month to enjoy!)
When I left Mitchell International Airport in Wisconsin early that Wednesday morning, I'll admit, I shed more than a few tears as I sat waiting to board the plane... as the plane was talking off... as the plane was in the air... as the plane was landing (please note, it was only about a 15 minute flight to Chicago where my connecting flight to Miami, FL was to take off at 10:30 or so)... I've never been away from home for more than two weeks, and even then, I was with people I at least knew... the flight I was on was taking me on an adventure of a lifetime and , today, I can't be more happy!
In Chicago, I met another AFS student who was on the same flight to Miami as I was; Nick Van Handel lives not too far from my own home near Milwaukee! Although he is on a slightly shorter program than I, knowing each other was a definite bonus as we arrived in Miami.
In Miami, we had an overnight Gateway Orientation at a hotel (whose Wi-Fi wasn't free and who's pool we weren't allowed to use... broma, I just wanted to be able to check in with my family back home and let them know everything was okay!), where I was able to meet with all the AFS students with destinations somewhere between Argentina, Chile, and Paraguay. As the Argentina group left the hotel the next day, I was no longer 'alone', nor was I just with Nick, I had met the rest of the American AFS students going to Argentina and had gotten to know some obvious life-long friends! One of which lives in the same city as I do now! (And another from Oregon (which I learned I pronounce wrong) who made fun of my Midwest accent... I still say I don't have an accent: y'all are da ones tha' jus' talk funny!
We boarded our flight, and two meals and eight hours later, we landed in EZE in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here we met the eight or so Italian AFS students (all going to Pánara near Buenos Aires, the same city that Nick was headed!). We took a bus to another Orientation site, this time at a hostel an hour or so from the airport. Two days later, and now, as a family, we headed off to the bus station where we said our 'goodbyes', wished each other luck, and finally headed off to our host families...
After a twelve hour bus ride I finally met my host mom and dad (and dog). We stopped at my new home to drop off my suite case and my carry-on bag (which now has a nice-sized hole in the top from traveling!), ate an asado (Argentine BBQ), and soon headed off to my first Argentine Adventure! (No rest for the restless!)
Our first day together, we spent at El Dique de Viña, a dam near another small city called Mina Clavero (where another AFS student is staying). Here, we shared mate, took our first pictures together, and got to know each other better as a family! We returned home a few hours later, had dinner, and I woke up the next day ready for more!
Since then, I've met my host mom's family, spent time with Katie Whalen (the other AFS student in Villa Dolores), took a bike ride to La Boca del Rio, taught a seminar-type class at a local Karate school (and participated in many classes that followed), drank a submarino (warm milk with a dark chocolate bar on the bottom) on the top of a mountain, went to a boliche (a dance) until 5 in the morning, bought two Argentine ponchos, gone to a despedida (brides maid's party) and the wedding that followed, and visited the English Institute who's head profesora helped find my host family here in Villa Dolores!
Coming plans include a visit to Córdoba, the nearest 'big' city, and of course; next week I finally start school as an Argentine student! Hopefully I will be able to meet more people and make my experience here even better (if that's possible!) than it is already!
I will soon post pictures of my adventures here so far so please keep checking back!
¡Beso!
Monday, June 20, 2011
It's the Final Countdown!
With just over a day left before I leave to Argentina, I've finished packing my bags and am reviewing everything I need to know for my flight to Argentina! I can't, in a funny way, believe that in just over 24 hours, I'll be on a flight out of Mitchell International and on my way to Buenos Aires! I am incredibly excited, but already miss everyone too.
With a last minute issue working it's way out of my experience with AFS, everything is already all set for me to leave on Wednesday! With a stop in Miami, FL, I will be in Buenos Aires by the 24th and with my host family shortly after! My host family is a small, two (maybe three) person family and I believe they have a pet dog as well! They live in Villa Dolores, Argentina in the province of Córdoba. I do not know much else about my family, but my host mom and I have talked through E-mail and have friended each other on Facebook!
I am unsure of how long it will take me to find a computer/Internet access, but I will update the blog as soon as possible! Also be sure to check back often as I hope to update everyone a few times while I'm gone!
Also, if you contributed to my trip, please check your E-mail for the first installment of the very special AFS Experience Newsletter! (If you can not find it, please check your 'spam' messages, and e-mail me!)
Until later,
~Brianna J. Moczynski
With a last minute issue working it's way out of my experience with AFS, everything is already all set for me to leave on Wednesday! With a stop in Miami, FL, I will be in Buenos Aires by the 24th and with my host family shortly after! My host family is a small, two (maybe three) person family and I believe they have a pet dog as well! They live in Villa Dolores, Argentina in the province of Córdoba. I do not know much else about my family, but my host mom and I have talked through E-mail and have friended each other on Facebook!
 |
| The 'A' marks Villa Dolores |
 |
| A map of Argentina |
I am unsure of how long it will take me to find a computer/Internet access, but I will update the blog as soon as possible! Also be sure to check back often as I hope to update everyone a few times while I'm gone!
Also, if you contributed to my trip, please check your E-mail for the first installment of the very special AFS Experience Newsletter! (If you can not find it, please check your 'spam' messages, and e-mail me!)
Until later,
~Brianna J. Moczynski
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Drumroll Please:...
For any of you who follow my group on Facebook, you have known for a few days now that I have some big news to announce! After thoroughly enjoying my first weekend off of school (including a day-trip across the state, a late-night theatre performance, and a get together with friends), I finally have the time to relax long enough to announce and explain in depth my fortunate situation:...
As my departure date became closer and closer, (ten days from today to be exact), and my flight fromWisconsin to Miami Milwaukee
Last Tuesday, as I sat drinking a Chai tea at a café in Cedarburg, I decided to check my E-mail in hopes that my host family information would have been sent (still no word there, but that is not uncommon). Among the messages I'd received, one from the Milwaukee Chapter had both surprising and amazing news. Not only had I received the money I had requested (as this was a special request-based scholarship), but AFS Milwaukee decided to pay off the remaining balance to my tuition! After re-reading the E-mail a good 15 times or so, I finally was able to believe it!
My tuition forArgentina
There is no way, without each and every one person who has helped me along the way, that I would be where I am in life today, even before my trip. For those of you who support me in my goals such as this one to study abroad, I can't thank you enough. You are the ones who have helped guide me to try new things and step out of my boundaries. For those of you who contributed to me to help pay my tuition, I am forever grateful, without you, these goals would never have become reality.
Now, with the last of my paperwork for AFS being submitted, and no remaining balance on my tuition, I can confidently say: ¡Vamos aArgentina
Thank you again, to anyone and everyone!
As my departure date became closer and closer, (ten days from today to be exact), and my flight from
Last Tuesday, as I sat drinking a Chai tea at a café in Cedarburg, I decided to check my E-mail in hopes that my host family information would have been sent (still no word there, but that is not uncommon). Among the messages I'd received, one from the Milwaukee Chapter had both surprising and amazing news. Not only had I received the money I had requested (as this was a special request-based scholarship), but AFS Milwaukee decided to pay off the remaining balance to my tuition! After re-reading the E-mail a good 15 times or so, I finally was able to believe it!
My tuition for
There is no way, without each and every one person who has helped me along the way, that I would be where I am in life today, even before my trip. For those of you who support me in my goals such as this one to study abroad, I can't thank you enough. You are the ones who have helped guide me to try new things and step out of my boundaries. For those of you who contributed to me to help pay my tuition, I am forever grateful, without you, these goals would never have become reality.
Now, with the last of my paperwork for AFS being submitted, and no remaining balance on my tuition, I can confidently say: ¡Vamos a
Thank you again, to anyone and everyone!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thanks to EVERYONE For Their Support!
As of June 3rd, the ChipIn Widjet has ended...
Thank you to everyone who, through these last few months have shown me an unfathomable amount of support, both morally and financially. In my last post, I mentioned sending a confirmation E-mail to all contributors. As soon as I receive the newest update, I will tackle the entire list at once as I was dumbfounded when I saw how fast it was growing! In order to avoid any missed names, I decided to wait until the very end to send any E-mails. I hope to send those messages within the week!
On another note, I finally booked my flight to my "Orientation City" in Miami, FL. I leave early on the morning of the 22nd and, after an overnight stay, I fly out to Buenos Aires... I am both excited about going (of course!), but also starting to get nervous!
Once I receive more information about my host family, I will update my blog!
Another neat tid-bit of information: there is another student in Wisconsin going abroad on the same program as I. Considering that only ten students throughout the United States of America have been chosen to do a language study program abroad for the summer in Argentina, it's pretty darn impressive that two are coming from Wisconsin! Way to represent!
Thank you to everyone who, through these last few months have shown me an unfathomable amount of support, both morally and financially. In my last post, I mentioned sending a confirmation E-mail to all contributors. As soon as I receive the newest update, I will tackle the entire list at once as I was dumbfounded when I saw how fast it was growing! In order to avoid any missed names, I decided to wait until the very end to send any E-mails. I hope to send those messages within the week!
On another note, I finally booked my flight to my "Orientation City" in Miami, FL. I leave early on the morning of the 22nd and, after an overnight stay, I fly out to Buenos Aires... I am both excited about going (of course!), but also starting to get nervous!
Once I receive more information about my host family, I will update my blog!
Another neat tid-bit of information: there is another student in Wisconsin going abroad on the same program as I. Considering that only ten students throughout the United States of America have been chosen to do a language study program abroad for the summer in Argentina, it's pretty darn impressive that two are coming from Wisconsin! Way to represent!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Getting Closer...
4.30.11
Sorry it's been so long since I've been able to post last; my Spring Break has been filled to the top with studying for coming AP exams and preparing for the last month of my Junior year in high school.
Today's post is dedicated to my taekwondo instructors Mr. Sorce and Mr. Bitzan and school for having placed signs announcing my program this summer with a link to this blog. Their support for me not only throughout my application and fundraising for AFS, but in so many other walks in life as well has been truly life changing. Without them, I even doubt I would have had the confidence I have now to step this far out of my "comfort zone" and even think about studying abroad for an entire summer!
I received my departure information from AFS this past week as well! I will be leaving in 53 days on June 22nd (from my home) to a flight in Florida and onto Argentina on the 23rd. I would be returning 55 days later on the 16th (Argentina's time), and back to my home on the 17th (my time). It's crazy to think that June is just around the corner!
My remaining tuition is in the two thousand dollar range, but is dropping slowly but surely with the continuing help from everyone. I'll keep updating as long as all of my readers keep doing what they do best: reading! (and reposting).
Thanks so much to everyone, for everything! I couldn't do this without you!
Sorry it's been so long since I've been able to post last; my Spring Break has been filled to the top with studying for coming AP exams and preparing for the last month of my Junior year in high school.
Today's post is dedicated to my taekwondo instructors Mr. Sorce and Mr. Bitzan and school for having placed signs announcing my program this summer with a link to this blog. Their support for me not only throughout my application and fundraising for AFS, but in so many other walks in life as well has been truly life changing. Without them, I even doubt I would have had the confidence I have now to step this far out of my "comfort zone" and even think about studying abroad for an entire summer!
I received my departure information from AFS this past week as well! I will be leaving in 53 days on June 22nd (from my home) to a flight in Florida and onto Argentina on the 23rd. I would be returning 55 days later on the 16th (Argentina's time), and back to my home on the 17th (my time). It's crazy to think that June is just around the corner!
My remaining tuition is in the two thousand dollar range, but is dropping slowly but surely with the continuing help from everyone. I'll keep updating as long as all of my readers keep doing what they do best: reading! (and reposting).
Thanks so much to everyone, for everything! I couldn't do this without you!
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