I currently don't know tons of details. But I'll tell you what I do know!
The first thing I did was talk to the professor in charge of the whole exchange program. He told me my different options and gave me brochures. I chose to apply to the National University of Ireland Maynooth because it has an education program and I've always wanted to go to Europe. Once I made my decision I began working on my application. I had to write an essay, apply, and get reference letters. I chose my professors, wrote my essay, filled out the paperwork, then turned it in. Well, mix in a ton of praying too!
Applications were due October 1st but I turned mine in a week before then. Decisions were to be mailed out October 5th or 6th. Monday came around and I texted mom and dad about a billion times asking if the mail came. Turns out, that day was Columbus day. No mail. Well, the next morning I was literally walking into my first class when I got an email from the professor in charge that said "Benton, please come to my office at your earliest convenience." I HAD TO SIT THROUGH TWO WHOLE ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTE CLASSES!!! It was pure torture! And the whole time all I could think was that he wouldn't call me to his office to tell me I wasn't going. Surely I had to of gotten it! So I finally get to his office later that day and he tells me that I've sort of got it... sort of.
I almost started crying right there in his office but I held it together and asked what that meant. He said that the exchange committee loved me and said they had to send me to Ireland. But, (yeah...) they also loved someone else. I swear my heart sort of broke in that moment. There was only one open spot. But, they wanted us both to go so they wrote to the man in Ireland who is in charge of the exchange program telling him the situation and asking him to give us another slot. They got a response that said he was out of the country and would email when he got back. This went on for a week. It. Was. Horrible.
Come the next Tuesday, I was getting pretty down. There is a deadline and if they didn't hear back from the man in time, I would miss it and lose my chance to go to Ireland. So, that Tuesday we discussed my other possibilities. We decided I could go to one of two German schools that have English courses (which is my concentration for Elementary Education). We got me some pamphlets and discussed what would need to be done to go to Germany. So I left his office super bummed out that Ireland was gone but thinking that maybe this was God's plan instead so I was trying to embrace Germany!
Well, literally less than 2 hours later, I got an email from the professor that simply said "Ireland- you're in." I screamed and jumped and wooped! I was SO excited!
So, all I know is that I will be in Maynooth, Ireland which is 25 km from Dublin. I'll leave in January sometime and get back three or four months later. I have a list of places I want to go but I am always up for any suggestions! I don't know who else is going from FMU but I know we'll meet at some point before we go. I meet with the professor who is in charge of the Ireland campus tomorrow and give her all of my paperwork and whatnot so far and hopefully get some more detailed information. We will also work on what classes I will take.
I'm SO excited! I know I've already said that but I REALLY mean it!!! It's still sort of surreal that I'm going. I'm so blessed beyond belief in the many opportunities God has given me. And without the support of my wonderful parents none of these experiences would have been possible. I've been thinking back to my mindset in high school and I never would have thought that I would have traveled and experienced as much as I already have or will. God is good and I think he is leading me down a path that he is in approval with. I try to pray for his will to be done instead of what I want. Don't get me wrong, I totally tell him what I want. But I really try to ask him for his will to happen. That's something my momma has really taught me to ask for. Luckily, it seems that this is in his plans and I am SO happy!
So, I leave you with a picture of me and my acceptance letter, a link to my website and a promise to update again (hopefully) tomorrow when I have (hopefully) more information! Good night everyone:)
http://www.nuim.ie/
xoxo,
B
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