General Information

I know that I have talked to a lot of people about what I'm doing, but this program has so many details to it that it is hard to tell everyone everything about it. I'm going to try to cover the basics here.

1. I am not allowed to speak English.
2. The exception to number 1 is my hour per week on the internet. This is my only means of communication while I'm abroad with this program. I cannot call (exceptions: when I arrive safely, my 18th birthday July 6), and I cannot text. I can, however, send letters.
3. The program that I am going with is called the IU Honors Program. It's a rigorous study program that is designed for high school juniors who wish to become fluent and well-spoken in Spanish, French, or German.
4. I am going to San Luis Potosi, Mexico. It's halfway between the border of the States and Mexico City. Look it up on GoogleMaps if you really have the motivation and curiosity. I leave June 10, and I will return July 26.
5. I am staying with a host family as part of my experience. I will be staying with my host-mom, dad, brothers (18 and 15), and sisters (16 and 11), and dog (golden retriever).
6. I am going to go to school Monday through Friday, but there will be excursions, or trips, most Fridays. I will NOT be going to school with local kids, but I will be going to school with the 30-ish other people at my program site. There will be 4 teachers from IU that accompany us to this city, and they have designed a curriculum specifically for high school juniors from the U.S.
7. I am definitely going to miss my parents, sisters, boyfriend, friends, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, cats, home, etc... but I'm going to make the best of my time there and live my life to the fullest to the best of my ability.
8. I will be taking 2 flights to Mexico and back. I will leave Indianapolis Thursday evening. Then arrive to Houston 2 hours later in the evening. Then I'll fly from there straight to San Luis Potosi. That is also a 2-hour flight. With any luck, I will be in my new home by midnight.
9. I must adhere to a strict Honor Code while I am there. That means no drinking, drugs, dating, riding in cars (exceptions: with my host parents and other approved adults), risky activities, etc. So don't worry about me being bad. =)
10. I am excited. I am nervous. Both.

This is going to be the experience of a lifetime, and I am going to remember it forever. I can honestly say that I dreamed about doing this when I heard about Sarah's and Andy's trips when I was in the eighth grade. I can't believe that I'm actually about to live it. In 48 hours, I will (with smooth sailing through my flights) be in my new home in Mexico for the summer.

Thank you to everyone who made this dream come true.

"If you don't dream big, what's the use of dreaming?"
-David Cook, I don't know the original source