tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72461766605432809842024-03-13T00:02:22.062+01:00Warsaw girl in AmericaHi everyone! My name is Wiktoria Lukasiewicz, I live in Warsaw, Poland and I'm an International Baccalaureate program student. I spent the 2014/2015 academic year as an exchange student at The Hockaday School, Dallas, Texas. I am an aspiring writer and a dancer. On this blog you can read about my amazing adventures in the United States of America and everything I love about this country, it's culture and people!LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246176660543280984.post-1331122945197260712016-06-18T16:36:00.000+02:002016-06-18T16:36:46.903+02:00Ballet in Poland vs. Ballet in the United States, part 2:<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I found out I was going to be studying at
Hockaday, I could not have been happier. I read all about the dance program and
was excited to become a part of it. Thanks to ASSIST students that have gone to
Hockaday before me, I found out that Hockadance has an amazing reputation. When
I arrived, I wasn’t sorted into a group that I wanted, blame it on jet-lagged
audition or not enough places in higher group, at first I was devastated, later
I realized that even though it could have been more challenging, I wouldn’t
trade my dance class for any other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yszm5oT-UUaijroyn98x4dGhhaqzFY-VIvo5eQOQIkb-7Dqsu9dsAWsQW2G_tE-kkS2-WEEauuTj_J85N9DGx8WLd9OiL00sQtbAZvyh6RbF9I2S4oM3vNQ20KkTk7E8K46Kr854aQI/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Yszm5oT-UUaijroyn98x4dGhhaqzFY-VIvo5eQOQIkb-7Dqsu9dsAWsQW2G_tE-kkS2-WEEauuTj_J85N9DGx8WLd9OiL00sQtbAZvyh6RbF9I2S4oM3vNQ20KkTk7E8K46Kr854aQI/s400/IMG_4876.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dance studio at Hockaday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There were five groups of Hockadance, which had
classes in two dance studios. I was a part of group called DanceWorkshop II,
which had classes in a studio in fitness center building. I fell in love with that
dance studio. Instead of usual rectangular shape of a room, its two walls were
turned into glass semicircle. It was inspiring to dance and be able to look
outside and absorb the wonders of the world outside. I think that was one of
the loveliest spots on school campus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HfSuvU5mWCE-msJk6VP_W36hw-tJmwpgY-gXaNHdya2Gtv-WftqRbSpYFXLxUBjIm_JoWXssYEm0AFkmowzuDmDRxitzfbNbjhsQ_rFyXo0xeQ2nNJd9nuGfQ83GfOaZUXWnkaIMquI/s1600/IMG_4839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HfSuvU5mWCE-msJk6VP_W36hw-tJmwpgY-gXaNHdya2Gtv-WftqRbSpYFXLxUBjIm_JoWXssYEm0AFkmowzuDmDRxitzfbNbjhsQ_rFyXo0xeQ2nNJd9nuGfQ83GfOaZUXWnkaIMquI/s320/IMG_4839.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small dance studio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The experience of Hockadance was completely different
from the one I’ve been used to for the past thirteen years of my dance life. Before,
I had mostly ballet classes, filled with repeating the same routines over and
over again. I’m not saying that it is a bad method of teaching because it
certainly does create a good dance technique, but sometimes it can get really
boring (especially when one is not training to become a professional dancer…)
At Hockaday, our main focus was on exploring different dance styles. Even
though I sometimes missed pointe shoes work, I was happy I could learn something
new. It allowed me to try dance moves and styles I thought I never would. And
the most exciting part was that we had so many amazing opportunities to perform
in front of various audiences.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05jnQEYvbk-dC-ydkjNpPF16vrMHcKdp_TlbidxKy7bAcSzW7e8ONV47M5jbrVIqauonxe38ubwIPyr0qJ6koBFVsYzcPlodJB8AIbzT16DJjJIF2JumrKvHGp6TcyYcsdeW95kzo0xQ/s1600/IMG_5434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05jnQEYvbk-dC-ydkjNpPF16vrMHcKdp_TlbidxKy7bAcSzW7e8ONV47M5jbrVIqauonxe38ubwIPyr0qJ6koBFVsYzcPlodJB8AIbzT16DJjJIF2JumrKvHGp6TcyYcsdeW95kzo0xQ/s400/IMG_5434.JPG" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a fairy of Neverland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the fall, all dance classes put together a “Peter
Pan” production. Each group was responsible for different parts of the show;
there were the pirates, lost boys, fairies, and of course Peter Pan and Wendy.
It was around that time, when I first saw how the girls in the best group called
“Hockaday Dance Theatre” danced. Most of them were seniors, who have been in
the Hockaday dance program for years. I have to admit that I was. Their level
of dance was as good as I’ve seen back in the days in ballet school in Warsaw,
if not better. I never thought that it is possible to achieve such level without
professional school based training. From that day, I wished that I could have
such private dance classes as they did, after I left ballet school. I knew it
was impossible, so I tried to enjoy as much of the dance program as I could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5gOTtmzOfMlC09CeuXFltjy-zQwreGn_BVuN-bFDgE3cSPQGYww0ui3ZAXlIoui7dDLPDcCTRxBKeQFf3QgNXU9q_ZTYI_K23SrW2pJQH4LltP9zieJMlALzj4swNSgNu5vOiZfMIXQ/s1600/IMG_8156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5gOTtmzOfMlC09CeuXFltjy-zQwreGn_BVuN-bFDgE3cSPQGYww0ui3ZAXlIoui7dDLPDcCTRxBKeQFf3QgNXU9q_ZTYI_K23SrW2pJQH4LltP9zieJMlALzj4swNSgNu5vOiZfMIXQ/s400/IMG_8156.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In my Indian dance costume</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Out of many opportunities I will never forget the time
we learned an Indian dance. It was taught to us by an ex-Bollywood actress,
whose daughter was in my dance class. We were certainly the most interesting act
at our school’s performance. During performing, we wore Indian dance outfits that
were the most extraordinary costumes that I ever wore for dance. They were of bright
colors, with amazing accessories that made it difficult to move around, let
alone dance. Many of out school mates believed that it didn’t had to do much
with dancing, nor that I was difficult to learn! How little did they know! The
dance was filled with seemingly easy steps and moves that actually were almost
impossible to perform. We, as contemporary dancers specializing in ballet and
modern dance are not prepared to do this kind of moves. Every little gesture
and movement was important! For example, try bending your middle and ring
finger, leaving the rest straight. See? Not easy at all! I know I probably would never try such an
exotic dance back home so I am happy that I had a chance to do it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I also performed at South Dallas Festival and Dance
Planet. These were Dallas based festivals during which I was able to see more
of the dance world of Texas. I especially loved Dance Planet at Booker T.
Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Why? I simply loved
the place. It felt like I materialized into one of the “Step Up” movies. I’ve never
seen a school like that before. I also had the chance to perform a duet in
classical ballet on pointes, which was my biggest achievement in my dancing
career. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqrwqWlb0j1_3ARs2eInddVbiJrwumXwyRV6chjlVEZR3rZHoxDTLisVO0K_1ubB91XqpzkGM9ykRo13rxgw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I will never forget my experience with the dance
program at Hockaday. Being a dancer is about exploring your possibilities,
pushing the boundaries and becoming whoever you want to be. Thanks to my dance
program I was able to do that and much more…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246176660543280984.post-28705285435349184922016-04-20T18:54:00.001+02:002016-04-20T18:56:06.079+02:00Ballet in Poland vs. Ballet in the United States, Part 1:<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In March, I was invited to the graduation show of the
Warsaw Ballet School. It was not just a concert to me. It was a bittersweet
comeback to the “Teatr Wielki Opera Narodowa” in Warsaw, the home of Polish
National Ballet, to watch my own class graduate. Seeing my classmates, I saw
the other way my life could have gone, but never went. The scent of the
theater, the atmosphere, all the familiar faces and the stage sent me on a stroll
down the memory lane…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever since I remember, I dreamed of becoming a
ballerina. My parents signed me up for ballroom dancing when I was five, and
even though my dance partner and I won a gold medal in our dance studio’s
competition, I was complaining all the time that it wasn’t ballet. Finally, I
took my first ballet classes when I was six. I was one of the bravest kids in
my group, I always wanted to have a solo and I always did my best, always stood
first in line, and always was the first to volunteer for dance improvisation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At the age of nine, I was sure I was destined to
become a famous ballet dancer. My dance teacher asked me to dance at a bridal
fashion show, which was a big deal of a little girl. Later that year, I
received an award for being the best dancer in the group that year. It was a little statue
of a dancer, painted to look gold. It wasn't a huge prize but it had a great emotional value to me. This little
statue stands on my shelf to this day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiQ9KeXYdtRgS1CKgrhfoKQbJBtrIYjujADt0jxXaYaJYL5os_XFOpmeqQwaccIbx5UQ5VbJ6_q64DYGiWDaWA3tnoqrBpsWdih2tEwfMKxaxFgec69G-yHhn5tkH_bT5tS24ZXvsscg/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiQ9KeXYdtRgS1CKgrhfoKQbJBtrIYjujADt0jxXaYaJYL5os_XFOpmeqQwaccIbx5UQ5VbJ6_q64DYGiWDaWA3tnoqrBpsWdih2tEwfMKxaxFgec69G-yHhn5tkH_bT5tS24ZXvsscg/s320/IMG_4218.JPG" title="nb" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after receiving the award for the best dancer in the group</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYwG1_wiTShjAhoWG8n1EumjJ8YUgHCId2FAfxSwBmr7QpCGLxBjRoZmT2x9SOd9c9aaQDtQlajlM_2gh8KzLaBWah0rx-d641el2FCNKcuuEfEtmuZBcuo-R8ihEbxtMFpV473eA3Pc/s1600/F1040020.jpgc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYwG1_wiTShjAhoWG8n1EumjJ8YUgHCId2FAfxSwBmr7QpCGLxBjRoZmT2x9SOd9c9aaQDtQlajlM_2gh8KzLaBWah0rx-d641el2FCNKcuuEfEtmuZBcuo-R8ihEbxtMFpV473eA3Pc/s320/F1040020.jpgc.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dancing at the bridal fashion show</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That same year I auditioned for ballet school, and finally I started my professional ballet education at the age of
ten. In the beginning, it was like a dream come true. Ballet classes every day
plus any additional education that is needed for a professional dancer. There
were lessons in recognizing notes and musicality, folk dance, and stretching, and
even more to come in next grades! All the training was supposed to prepare us
to become professional dancers, ready to work in theaters around the globe. What
else could a ten-year-old with a big dream ask for?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWThaZai7I1eJMD2sDW2TOSaqoLV9pcOxkfuBlgSfhuQbOQ4fXEPQ1Y37vLmhWGJMHQLwX7lbOii9OY6gVlWa58-DU7NVRYFG1JhiQL-0ZbitAN5k3tLlkv_K1k4QyzTHKHEDtW6DctOw/s1600/540723_354709834581096_100001262468532_1057246_571030816_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWThaZai7I1eJMD2sDW2TOSaqoLV9pcOxkfuBlgSfhuQbOQ4fXEPQ1Y37vLmhWGJMHQLwX7lbOii9OY6gVlWa58-DU7NVRYFG1JhiQL-0ZbitAN5k3tLlkv_K1k4QyzTHKHEDtW6DctOw/s320/540723_354709834581096_100001262468532_1057246_571030816_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In ballet school, aged 11</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It didn’t take a lot of time for me to realize that it
was far away from what I expected. After spending four years at a dance studio
where teachers wanted us to achieve our dreams and encouraged us a lot, it felt
like a bucket of cold water was thrown on me. My ballet teacher turned out to
be not very supportive and even devilish in her comportment. She only complimented the
same three kids she favored, always making sure that the others felt insecure. It was very old-schooled way of teaching, which not only did not
improve our dancing skills but also took away the strength to keep practicing, and gave us
nightmares. One single look into her eyes felt like looking in the eyes of
Basilisk. There were girls who cried before ballet classes, who faked sickness
not to come. There were those who simply shook and trembled whenever teacher
approached or was about to say something. Some of them even ended up on deciding
to leave ballet school just because it was too much pressure for them. For the teachers it wasn't a big deal. We all knew that this is the way how the ballet schools work like in Eastern Europe, and ballet school in Warsaw was strongly influenced by the teaching methods of Russian ballet in the past.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However, I cannot say it was THAT bad. I did get to
live a tiny bit of my dream. I got the chance to dance in a real ballet with
Polish National Ballet. It was “Tristan”, an adaptation of “Tristan and Isolde”,
a ballet choreographed by Krzysztof Pastor, the director of the Polish National
Ballet. Some of my other classmates and I were hired to dance the role of
little children from the village, who are being saved by Tristan, when the villain
Mortholt tries to kidnap them. It was rather a tiny role involving lots of running around the stage but I danced it with
passion. Five minutes on stage with professional dancers felt like five minutes
in heaven. Some people say the small roles don't matter but I personally think
they are the most important! Without us the show would fall apart. Once, when
we were in the middle of the dance, one of the boys tripped me by accident and I
fell down, hurting my arm. It was an excruciating pain, but I had to get up in only seconds. If I didn’t get up, the principal dancer would run into me and I would
ruin the show. Luckily, I managed to get up and save the show. For spectators
we were just tiny kids appearing in the show for a moment, a crowd on stage. I am sure
that many of them don’t even remember that there were kids in that ballet, but for
me the magic of those moments will stay forever, I will remember it for the
rest of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhdpdyN83qIZkp2sKwadSuAIK6lwJPmWprpYfv8FaHoGldmGX7VULAqCGBIij58XCQi8vFjm2bwQ8QpDIkMPsKanr66CDggn4wUC07SnwRtiORiEgnkPFzRAPuW9_YOKehyphenhyphenqEWtO8lJA/s1600/karkunek+647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhdpdyN83qIZkp2sKwadSuAIK6lwJPmWprpYfv8FaHoGldmGX7VULAqCGBIij58XCQi8vFjm2bwQ8QpDIkMPsKanr66CDggn4wUC07SnwRtiORiEgnkPFzRAPuW9_YOKehyphenhyphenqEWtO8lJA/s320/karkunek+647.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">backstage, dressed in the costume for "Tristan"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When I was thirteen I had to leave ballet school, I
was told I was too tall. I simply grew faster than my other classmates. That year
eight of the tallest girls from our class were asked to leave. I knew I didn’t
deserve to leave, I knew that there were other girls who danced far worse that I
did. They had only one advantage; they were little. I can only speculate that
the teachers were afraid we would get too tall and that there would be no male dancers
strong and tall enough to pick us up when needed to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Funny enough, I haven’t gotten that much taller since. My shoe size hasn’t changed since 7</span><sup style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> grade. Now I
know I have perfect figure and height for ballet, but how would they know it
back then? From that and perhaps some other inexplicable reasons they didn’t allow
us to stay.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking back, I am glad that I left ballet school.
Back then, I was totally broken, I couldn’t imagine my life without being a
dancer. I saw it as the end of my life. I know it now, I was wrong. If it didn’t
happen, I probably wouldn’t be writing this post today. Leaving ballet school
led me to making different choices, focusing on my education that led me to
higher academic achievements and my exchange year in the United States. Having
stayed in ballet school, I would only learn the profession, not the academics,
and I would have never gotten the chance to spend an amazing year in Texas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I never stopped dancing. I never could. I joined a
group from the dance studio I used to attend before going to ballet school, and
I was quite satisfied. Only with time, I noticed the effects of lacking regular
practice. To stay in shape I should practice at least three times a week. I
wished I could practice on the same level as I used to in ballet school, but I
knew it was impossible. I knew I wouldn’t be able to find ballet classes that
have level as good as those in ballet school. At the time there were no studios
that offer this level of ballet, and I didn’t want to primarily dance other
dance styles. Even though, I was lucky. I was a part of one of the best groups
in my dance studio (and still am). Dance has always brought me so much joy, and
being outside ballet school allowed me to do it just for fun. There was no more
screaming of the teacher or repeating one exercise countless times just because
someone didn’t point their feet enough. I had the advantage of professional
training that allowed me to establish my position in the group. The teacher
finally appreciated me and classes were pure pleasure. I started learning jazz
and modern dance. I was happy to dance in competitions and different shows with
my friends. I was happy I could still do it and have solos, and not stand in
the back row. I was reconciling with the idea of never becoming a professional
dancer. They took away to become a professional for me but they couldn’t take
away my passion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW42wMbZVP_-llGfaVnrGMA-rgqItgBhfXcipmIlWqVHz7_NN1wz-QXbi0jJKe4qLAQOiLyAN79ALpicrD2YtwPe4b0JiQ4C9cEu4c4qXWKeFWjncnQ4rzMLLDvCg-FU_ac6kB90Q3h0/s1600/IMGP6366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwW42wMbZVP_-llGfaVnrGMA-rgqItgBhfXcipmIlWqVHz7_NN1wz-QXbi0jJKe4qLAQOiLyAN79ALpicrD2YtwPe4b0JiQ4C9cEu4c4qXWKeFWjncnQ4rzMLLDvCg-FU_ac6kB90Q3h0/s400/IMGP6366.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dancing at the dance studio concert after leaving ballet school</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even though, I knew I was happy in my new life, I used
to think a lot about it a lot. I always wondered “what if?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What if?” is one of the most powerful questions. It
not only allows us to dream but it also allows the past to enslave us. A
question that cannot be answered. It keeps us awake at night, always bothering,
hanging like a shadow over head, asking what could our life be like, if we made
a different choice or got one more chance. That same thing happened to me. I kept thinking and thinking about what could
have happened if I got the chance to stay in ballet school. It kept me up all
night a couple of times, and even when I thought I forgot, each time I went to
see a ballet; it kept coming and coming back. This question kept bothering me
until I lived through two major events in my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Only after attending dance classes in Dallas last
year, and going to see that graduation concert last month allowed me to let go
off the question and let go off the past...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To be continued…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz2Q2CM4H5p6TrLb3TW2jAzH8Hs_1m9Pj6SfCm_VQDO2tahOfG93o8_8y_W5rZu31DNLQIG3j9vNkpeQDaYzg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
at the ballet studio concert, third from the left </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246176660543280984.post-70076931571506999632016-03-13T17:08:00.001+01:002016-03-13T17:08:22.156+01:00The time I visited Harvard University…<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Friday,
March 11, 2016<br />
10:45 A.M.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am sitting in a conference room in a hotel in Warsaw.
I look around and I see other young people; around twenty-eight of them. They are
as excited and nervous as I am. In the middle of the room, I can see both
Polish and American flags placed next to the United States Embassy podium. This
is it, our one chance. I am among mentees chosen for the U.S. Embassy and the Fulbright
Commission’s EducationUSA mentoring program. The best, and for many of us, the only
opportunity to get help and important advice, when applying to American
Colleges. Soon we will hear a welcoming speech by the. U.S. Embassy, Cultural
Attaché Kenneth Wetzel. In a moment or two, each of us will come up to the
podium and will be presented with a certificate that confirms our acceptance to
the program. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now,
I think I have to explain some things. It is a very prestigious program for
people who live outside of the United States. To get a spot we had to complete
an application and win a competition. Apart from submitting our transcripts, we
had to write an essay, give testimony of outside of school engagement and explain
why we dream of studying in the United States. We were chosen from over 170
applicants. For all of us it is a great honor just to be in the program, and to
be noticed by the U.S. Embassy, and the Fulbright Commission. Even though, it does not grant us becoming a
student of any U.S. college, it can help us a lot. Many of us have no idea
about how to apply to American Colleges. We do not have college counseling in high
school that can help us to find the perfect university. We do not have anyone
who can explain to us how the SAT, the Common App, or The College Board work
like. This opportunity given to us by this program is the one thing that can
help us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXQnsZvBgLjn_GA9b-2cZ5y0DeHMzLowagiRi-Hqv-uT4F_1UU_KcWcJ8DzAHVQBjqZ48qg83gR-Z3PYNO6XhczYwLMBPMgkXgUqq1F7XpzkDdrjCAzTMdnO2HK41OYNyzk5V_le82OM/s1600/IMG_2134%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXQnsZvBgLjn_GA9b-2cZ5y0DeHMzLowagiRi-Hqv-uT4F_1UU_KcWcJ8DzAHVQBjqZ48qg83gR-Z3PYNO6XhczYwLMBPMgkXgUqq1F7XpzkDdrjCAzTMdnO2HK41OYNyzk5V_le82OM/s400/IMG_2134%255B1%255D.JPG" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">posing at the U.S. Embassy podium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
the past two days, I have learnt a lot about how to apply. We spent long hours
listening to multiple presentations concerning topics like how to choose a
perfect school, understanding Common App, writing your essay, financing your
studies etc. It is not so easy to get a scholarship as a foreign student! Some
of you might not know that there are only six colleges in the U.S. that offer need-blind
admission for international applicants! Those are Harvard University, Princeton
University, Yale University, Dartmouth College (which is said to be withdrawing
from this policy in near future), Massachusetts Institute of Technology and
Amherst College.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
those of you who do not know what a need-blind admission is, I’ll allow myself
to quote Wikipedia’s definition;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Need-blind
admission</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> is a
term used in the United States denoting a college admission policy in which the
admitting institution does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when
deciding admission.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For
many of us that is the only way to be admitted into college. When one does not have
enough money to pay for his or her studies, some colleges are more likely to
reject application of this applicant. That is why applying to colleges with
need-blind policy is a safer way, however not an easier one! Universities like
Harvard, Princeton or Yale are not easy to get into at all! Apart from amazing
SAT scored and perfect GPA, one has to have an outstanding personality. How to
do that? I don’t know yet. I’ll explain you if I succeed! So far, I know it
takes a lot of hard work and dedication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even
though it is not easy to become a student at a great school, no one is going to
be stopped from trying or dreaming about a school like that! I advise you to
try to reach your dreams, because you’ll never know until you try. Those past
two days, w got to meet some of Alumni of U.S. colleges. Talking to two Harvard
Alumni, I remembered the time I visited Harvard University.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
was back in August 2014, during the orientation in Boston for my year in the States
with ASSIST. Apart from being able to meet amazing people from all around the
world, we got the chance to visit the world’s most known university. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Entering
the campus of founded in 1636 university I had chills. Until that moment, I
could even question the existence of this wonderful place. Looking at the buildings,
I saw the centuries of tradition. Founded by vote of the Great and General
Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Harvad was originally called “New
College”. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard is the oldest higher
learning institution in the United States. I find it quite amusing that Harvard
University is situated in a town called Cambridge, which always reminds me of
Cambridge University in the United Kingdom. Coincidence?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_9caeS1TLwuCgGegWDWz_TUtQ9evJYXu4vzUVJeTIWVO_B4DYB35uTAuEqNCkt7xp0xI-3vhk2kYe9pEdnXv-b0N4sy9LIbEdhmyyxOougM9Y46kq4ogR3kpKPXkWrlP6NH7f-1Lz3I/s1600/SAM_0082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_9caeS1TLwuCgGegWDWz_TUtQ9evJYXu4vzUVJeTIWVO_B4DYB35uTAuEqNCkt7xp0xI-3vhk2kYe9pEdnXv-b0N4sy9LIbEdhmyyxOougM9Y46kq4ogR3kpKPXkWrlP6NH7f-1Lz3I/s640/SAM_0082.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Harvard Yard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Harvard
University obtained his current name after clergyman John Harvard; who donated
half of his estate and his books to the university upon his death in 1638. During
our Harvard tour, we were able to see his statue that stands in Harvard Yard.
He looks very majestic, sat in a chair, with American Flag waving above his
head. Tour guides told us that we can rub his toe for luck. Some people believe
that if you rub the toe of the statue it will not only bring you luck but also
that you will return to Harvard as a student one day. That is probably why many
people touch the shoe, polishing it every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv6JHqcWvfPSLbdS1A7V0yyYiBVwZ0_g9Eb7750MNqabiLBWYRVvJ_7yXl73czgvS1Gz-ytyTP-IvhiUQtdMKhxqjST2TlIsVVMwhJQB9LIQz_nQWcDG0FnqIiCnCsXeOiGGiiiiv2S0/s1600/SAM_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKv6JHqcWvfPSLbdS1A7V0yyYiBVwZ0_g9Eb7750MNqabiLBWYRVvJ_7yXl73czgvS1Gz-ytyTP-IvhiUQtdMKhxqjST2TlIsVVMwhJQB9LIQz_nQWcDG0FnqIiCnCsXeOiGGiiiiv2S0/s640/SAM_0080.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Harvard Statue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Harvard Yard itself was full of colorful chairs and visitors. Walking around, I
was reminded of the times I used to watch Legally Blonde a lot and I dreamt of
studying at Harvard Law School. The campus was really picturesque and
breathtaking. It was like walking around promise land. From my visit there I especially
remember seeing the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library. It was founded by
the mother of Harvard alumna Harry Elkins Widener who was a book lover and who
died in the sinking of Titanic in April 1912. I think that the history of this building
remains in my memory because I am fascinated by the tragic history of Titanic. Also
it is simply impossible to forget the colossal size of the library and the way
it makes you feel so small yet so eager to just walk inside and start reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RjKCqjZ16NMZ9wABfBmR6NKIxT0qYnQVtPAr_6s2OvbVL9k3wKb2EWJ-RXbSi-BLX1Z2ri__yTvT6yDx6H8DLHx7Rl_7lOgr5TKFUbqKujTBr922nhUf8n0XYRaenB5guL3gyu0LXRk/s1600/SAM_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7RjKCqjZ16NMZ9wABfBmR6NKIxT0qYnQVtPAr_6s2OvbVL9k3wKb2EWJ-RXbSi-BLX1Z2ri__yTvT6yDx6H8DLHx7Rl_7lOgr5TKFUbqKujTBr922nhUf8n0XYRaenB5guL3gyu0LXRk/s640/SAM_0089.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
the tour, filled with many new dreams and inspirations we went to a university store
and bought a lot of Harvard souvenirs. And by saying a lot, I mean A LOT! Almost
every out of 170 ASSIST scholars bought a Harvard sweater. We must have looked
very funny or like real Harvard students. My friends and I were asked twice
whether we were students of Harvard. Both situations were funny but at the same
time a bit flattering. It was nice to hear that someone would think that we are
students of Harvard University because going to Harvard was the ultimate dream
for every single one of us. We would wear our sweaters a lot in the states as
well as back home. To remind us of our goals, and our great plans for the
future. To remember to never give up and always keep dreaming. Because our
dreams are real and they are out there, waiting for us to reach out our hands
and reach them!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-Wik</span></div>
LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246176660543280984.post-29748798610049475302016-02-26T00:13:00.001+01:002016-02-26T00:13:34.437+01:00The journey begins...<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Some of you may wonder why I didn’t write this blog last year. The answer is quite simple. Life of an exchange student
was much more complicated and busy than I could ever imagine. Day by day, I was
living my own American Dream. I was living every day to the fullest and often I
was simply too tired to write anything. Now that I have returned home, I feel
the need to share my story with the world! However, before I tell you about all
the amazing places I’ve seen and about all the things I have done I have to
come back in time to the last few months before leaving for the United States…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It was the beginning of May 2014. For weeks
now, I have been waiting for the information about my future American school. For
second time that year, I learnt that waiting patiently is not easy at all. Being
connected to other ASSIST scholars through a Facebook group, I was aware that
many people already knew where they were going. Each day I was more and more nervous… The schools
were being filled with students and I still didn’t know my fate… I could only
imagine how I would want my school to look like. I spent many hours reading about
all of the ASSIST member schools. They could send me literally anywhere! The mystery
of location of your American school is one of the exciting parts of ASSIST. When
you declare that you accept your scholarship, you have no idea where in the
States you will be sent: East coast, West coast or the mainland; mixed or an
all-girls school; day or boarding; in the city or somewhere in the middle of
nowhere. It requires to take a risk but
it’s a risk worth taking and usually when you find out which school you have
been placed in, your realize It is a perfect match. It was just like that with
me. Before I found out, I had a strange feeling that I will be sent to an
All-girls school. I was almost certain about it. I believed that my interests
and things I wrote in my application were extremely girly; dancing, writing,
singing in a choir, drawing… everything one would expect to be the interests of
a stereotypical girl. I was almost mortified at the thought of spending a year
at a school just for girls. To be honest I was praying to not be enrolled in
one of those.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">When the big day came, 7<sup>th</sup> may
2014. I checked my email about ten times within few hours. Every time - the
same disappointment: still nothing. It was right after I finished my ballet
class when the email came. I remember I was literally shaking, while I was opening
it. After all, I was holding the information about my home for the following year
in my hands. When I managed to calm down, I read the email. The most important
part of it said, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">“You have been accepted for admission into
Grade 11 to The Hockaday School, a boarding school in Dallas, TX.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">It was quite a shock. I never expected to be
sent to a school located in the South of the United States. Most of the member
schools are located on the East Coast, more or less in the area of the original
thirteen U.S. states. When I read the word “Texas” I imagined wild west,
ranchers, horses, cowboys, guns and cowboy boots. Some of my friends were
laughing that I will be riding a horse to get to school but as it turned out
later, it was not the case at all! Surely, Texas is quite outstanding but it
isn’t as wild as some people may expect it to be (at least not everywhere). I immediately
googled my future school because there were no information about whether it is
an all-girls school or not in the mail. When I clicked on the link to the
school’s website, my heart stopped for a second. It was a school for girls. I
was too excited to show any disappointment. I have to admit I was, a little bit
disappointed. But only after few minutes of browsing the website I was already
in love with the school! It seemed to fit my character perfectly! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmJKiwq3z7c-ie9KDcVCqknHj3bmsdWMhBqyx8T5qdNjjT6rii5tv1yR0WAy32q0lkoTCjWyoQHpS3y0t2GBrtB2G-EjfwC-2K6bXKhq8q_lRss15Y0ZsqOyL0FNOM0Q6s39kNPM021g/s1600/SAM_0884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmJKiwq3z7c-ie9KDcVCqknHj3bmsdWMhBqyx8T5qdNjjT6rii5tv1yR0WAy32q0lkoTCjWyoQHpS3y0t2GBrtB2G-EjfwC-2K6bXKhq8q_lRss15Y0ZsqOyL0FNOM0Q6s39kNPM021g/s640/SAM_0884.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me wearing my school uniform, standing in front of the Hockaday School entrance sign.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">When I got on the plane to Boston in August
2014, I had no idea what to expect. I only knew I was going to spend three days
at orientation and then fly to Dallas to a boarding school for girls. I was
full of hope. I saw it as an amazing adventure that I’d been waiting for my
whole life. Many people asked me before I left whether I was scared or nervous.
My answer was always “no”. Looking back
at it, I realize how excited I was to begin my new American life. I didn’t even
think of all the responsibilities and downsides of living far away from home
that I could experience during those ten months. It was a dream come true and as
I watched other scholars cry a bit while leaving their friends and families, I could
only smile. I wanted to already be there and start my own adventure! I was
about to become an independent person, to live one years without the constant protection
of parents and family. I was buzzing, I waved my family one last time and I was
gone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Now I know that the small step I took to get
on the plane to the United States was actually a giant leap to change my life
forever. Although the time has passed, I am and I always will be an exchange
student. The people I met, the places I’ve
seen, the culture I learnt, made me who I am now. If someone gave me a chance
to become an ASSIST scholar one more time and told me I could decide where to
go and how my year would look like, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every single day
I dream I could rewind time and relive that year one more time, I know it is
impossible but being a writer has its benefits – I can write about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I invite you to join me on a journey back in
time to the highlights of my year in the USA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Till next week,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Wiktoria. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246176660543280984.post-10529938010905553612014-06-08T21:12:00.000+02:002016-02-23T23:10:30.358+01:00How did I make it possible?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:HyphenationZone>21</w:HyphenationZone>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>PL</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:Standardowy;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was the
end of October or begging of November. I can't remember exactly. What I
remember is being overworked just after two months of school. But I wasn't
complaining. That's how life of a regular high school student looks like, especially
in a school like mine. Teachers always say it to us: "if you don't want to
study you should change school. You chose “Kopernik” and it's a prestigious
school." We are the best graduates of best Warsaw middle schools. So
that's what our life looks like. Never ending tests, things to learn, enormous
piles of homework... Stuff that basically makes you sick. And you can't have
the best grades even if you want. It’s simply impossible. Sometimes in my
school if you get an F on English test you can be sure you know a lot more than
ordinary teen in ordinary high school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just work hard to prepare yourself for
Matura exam which we take in third class of high school (grade 12). At this
time I was about to give up on my American dream. Why?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Truth to be
told, I was too lazy to do anything about it. In late summer my sister's friend
told me a lot about the Rotary Program and showed me some photos that she took
while her exchange in the USA. She told me she that it isn't easy to get in
because you have to get some recommendations and make them like you. And if you
are chosen you might be chosen for Brazil or Mexico instead of USA. I
didn't like it. I mean I never wanted to spend whole year in Mexico. I wanted <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> United States! I was very stubborn
about that fact. And I can see why! My goal wasn't to learn Spanish or Brazilian
perfectly I wanted to be perfectly fluent in English. I decided that I will
wait until my school says something about Rotary instead of writing to them
myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I waited and
waited and there was no news about Rotary. I started to worry that maybe this
year my school decided not to corporate with Rotary. I told myself 'okay, you
will spend another year in Poland because you are too lazy and you didn't want
to do everything earlier' and I almost reconciled with the idea of never
getting out of my country. I told myself not to cry but the vision of being
stuck at polish school for another year scared me. I needed America like every
human needs air to breathe...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But one day I
saw an announcement in my school. A presentation about year in the USA with
ASSIST was about to be held. And I thought 'why not go and see what they want
to say? What do they offer?'. I'd already heard good things about that
organization from my friend Kasia. And I'm grateful! If it wasn't her to tell
me about ASSIST than there's a high possibility that I wouldn't really pay
attention to ASSIST at all. But thankfully I did.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned up
at the meeting with ASSIST representative. I can remember it was on Tuesday in
Chemistry lab on the bottom floor of my school. I sat down in a crowded classroom
and waited. When the presentation started I recorded everything because I
didn't want to miss a thing and I certainly would if I decided just to take
notes. So I was listening to Mrs. Asia Martyni very carefully. She told us
everything about the program. About how her daughter brought it to Poland
(I want to thank her too because without her dream of studying in USA I
wouldn't be able to fulfill mine with ASSIST). 2014/2015 academic year will be
the fifth year when students from Poland will receive scholarship from ASSIST.
Mrs. Martyni told us that for first three years, each year only one scholar was
awarded with scholarship in Poland. This year five girls from Poland went to
the USA with ASSIST. I heard some rumors saying that boys might have easier in
this year's application process because there are some boys-only schools and
that ASSIST might want some polish boys to join the program. I was afraid.
Assuming that there are about five places and some of them might be for boys
and looking at the crowd in that classroom... I thought I had no chances at
all. But as crazy as it may seems I decided to do all the paper work and apply
for a scholarship. Although I thought I have no chances I don't regret deciding
to apply. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to join the program.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Application
process wasn't easy. I had only a month to send all my papers to Mrs. Martyni -
until 3<sup> </sup>December. I was so excited about it so I decided to do it as
fast as possible. I had to fill in application forms, write essay about my
life, translation of my final school marks and get recommendations from my
English teacher, my Maths teacher and my class teacher. I was worried the most
about the recommendations because I was only for 2 months in my new school and
teachers didn't knew a lot about me. I wasn't sure what are they going to write
there. But fortunately I got pretty good recommendations, although I was worried
about the Maths one In which I was just somewhere in the average but I hoped
that Maths wouldn't be the most important thing. And it wasn't! In order to get
recommendation from my class teacher I needed to go to my middle school and ask
my former class teacher for it because this year my class teacher doesn't know
English at all. I was pretty worried about that but fortunately it turned out
in a good way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was the
first person from my class to send in my application. Everyone was surprised I
did it so fast but I wanted everything to be delivered on time. I was proud of myself
I did it. There was nothing left for me to do but wait. Wait for the results. Apart
from me two people from my class decided to apply for ASSIST scholarship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked a lot about it while waiting for
the results and I can tell that everyone of us was extremely excited. I mean America
is the dream that’s irresistible. But there were also sad moments like when I was
told I don’t deserve to get this scholarship because I’ve already been to America
so many times. It was supposed to be a joke but it hurt. I started to ponder
about that. I was wondering what would make me so special for them to choose
me? How my dancing or writing could be better than any other girl’s or boy’s?
People do many interesting things in their lives and I just couldn’t believe
that I got something special that would made me the chosen one. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First came
the bad news. It was 8<sup>th</sup> December. I got a message from my class
mate. He was asking me if I got an email from ASSIST and telling me that one of
our friends actually did. My heart literally stopped in that moment. I thought
it was over. But then he told me that she didn’t get through the first stage. I
felt a mixture of relief and pity. Pity because it was one of my best friends
that didn’t get in and I was feeling very sorry for her. I felt so bad while
looking into her eyes on the next day at school because I couldn’t stop feeling
happy. Happy because it meant that I’m still in the game that I can still get a
scholarship although it would be great if she got it as well. But that’s how
life works not everyone can always get what their want. When the results came
on the 16<sup>th</sup> of December I was jumping around my room because I couldn’t
believe that I was invited for the second stage of eliminations. My parents
tried to calm me down and said that I should still keep on studying hard
because there’s no guarantee that I would get a scholarship. I tried very hard
waiting for the 14<sup>th</sup> of January to come but ASSIST was appearing a
lot more often in my mind that it should. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The interview
stage wasn’t difficult but I couldn’t say that it was easy. I was very nervous
but I knew if I want to get this scholarship I needed to step up and show myself
in the best possible way I could. When I arrived at the venue I found out that
there will be 36 of us. Eight people didn’t get through the first stage so it
gave 44 applying for scholarship but there were only about 5 spaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a lot of people from my school
applying, maybe even 12 of us? I was scared because I was sure that there were
a lot more better people than me. What we had to do first was to write an
essay. We could choose one out of two topics. I remember staring at the words
written on a blackboard and I just felt like there’s no way I would write about
any of them. I practically said to myself “it’s over. You won’t ever go to
study in America”. It took me about five minutes to realize that I need to
write this essay that I would never forgive myself if I gave up in the beginning.
And it was writing so it should be my strong side. So I told myself that I could
do this. And I did. I chose “education changes an empty mind to an open mind”
as a topic and I used all my writing skills and imagination to write it and
make it amazing. And when I finished I was truly satisfied I was proud of myself
and I felt this strength that I feel when I know that what I wrote was really
good. I was just hoping that my arguments were strong enough and that I hadn’t done
too many mistakes. In the second part we had to write SLEP test that was
supposed to check if our English is good enough. It didn’t checked if you knew
difficult words or grammar structures because it wasn’t important. What was
important was if we are going to be able to communicate easily in the US. The test
got two parts 45-minute listening with about 75 questions and 45-minute reading
with about 72 questions so as you can see I had to do it fast. The third and
the last part of stage two was the interview. That was the part I couldn’t wait
for the most. Why? Because I love speaking in English! I could speak in English
all day long and that’s what I’m going to do in the near future (in 65 days to
be exact). Fortunately the questions weren’t difficult and whole stress left me
after my first answer so I kept on talking with a smile on my face. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then came the
most difficult month of my life – February. The results were suppose to be revealed
at the end of it. the second half of the month I was hardly alive. I had no
school because we were having winter break but I couldn’t rest. All I did was
to check my email box all the time and watch a TV series in order not to check
the mail box too often. I was wasting the time but I was too stressed. This scholarship
was everything that I cared about at that moment. Nothing else mattered for me.
I know it wasn’t very good for me but I just couldn’t stop thinking of it and
praying to be chosen. But the end of the month came and there was no results. And
I wanted to know them before the end of winter break so in case of bad result I
could get over all the crying because I was sure I would be crying over it
whole night long. But school started and information from ASSIST didn’t come. I
was frustrated when I found myself sitting in English class still knowing
nothing while my calendar was showing the 5<sup>th</sup> of march. I checked my
email for the last time and sighed with hopelessness. I didn’t know that that
was the day that my life was about to change. After English classed I rushed to
my dance classes. It was there where I checked my email again. I got in. I remember
screaming and jumping around dance studio with my friends. I couldn’t believe
it. I thought it was the greatest day of my life but that… that was just the
beginning.</span></div>
LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7246176660543280984.post-69413694025888958142014-03-30T15:00:00.001+02:002016-02-23T23:09:52.691+01:00The story of my dreamEverything started with just one phone call. There was a ten years old girl living in Warsaw - the capital of Poland. She never knew what would happen to her in just few years. She was just visiting her grandma when the phone rang. The old lady rushed to pick up the phone.<br />
<br />
Who was calling?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nobody would ever expect that... It was little girl's uncle. Yes. The one who had gone to America many years before she was born. He called to say that he's having a daughter. First daughter when he was sixtysomething. It surely wasn't just a coincidence, it must have meant something very important, but at the time little girl didn't know what... Her mother , grandma and her mother's brother were invited to small city Troy in the suburbs of Detroit in Michigan to join the ceremony of baptism of uncle's new born daughter. Just a few months earlier girl wouldn't ever expected that her mom would go to America. It was always her dream to visit 'the new world' but it was just a dream. Like the one that every girl or boy has. Like the one of being a princess and finding her prince charming. But suddenly the dream became real. It was as real as it had never been before. She could almost reach it with her hand and grab it and never let go. And that's what she did. And now she can tell you that the phone call changed her life for ever.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You are probably wondering who was that little girl...? Maybe I'll surprise you, maybe I won't. The little girl happened to be me. I was sitting at my grandma's house when the phone rang. When I close my eyes I can still see it clearly. The phone call did changed my life. The summer after the phone call I went to America for the first time. During my stay there I got to visit American school and then my biggest dream began... a dream of studying in America.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My name is Wiktoria Łukasiewicz and I'm almost seventeen years old. I am a student of XXXIII Nicholaus Copernicus Bilingual High School in Warsaw. I'm attending year 10th now but after the summer vacation I'll be studying in one of the finest America's boarding schools thanks to the ASSIST program.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How is that even possible? As I told you the dream of becoming a student in America grew with every year. And suddenly the opportunity came. Last summer I was at sailing camp and I met a girl there. Her name was Kasia. I figured out that she was studying at a highs school which I was about to start in the fall. I was happy that I will have at least one person that I know in the beginning but she said that she is not going to be there this year. It was her who told me about ASSIST program. She said she was going to study in America in a private school next year. I asked her dozens of questions because I have always wanted to be part of an exchange program.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When the fall came she flew to USA and I started high school. I knew that I had to apply that year, it was the last chance for me to get a scholarship and go to America as a high school student. So I applied for ASSIST program. And here I am one of the five chosen from whole Poland with full scholarship. I don't know what was so special about me that they decided to chose me... And I will spend my next year in the USA and I just cant wait to go there. There are still 136 days left until my departure and I still don't know the name of the school that I'll be attending so I have to be patient. And that's why I decided to start this blog. I'm going to write my whole ASSIST experience in here.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I hope that I caught your attention and that you will be reading my story! My next post will be about how I applied and how I got the scholarship and maybe if I'm lucky about my future school.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See you next time </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
- Wik.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:HyphenationZone>21</w:HyphenationZone>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>PL</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></div>
LOVEhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06839616558155195733noreply@blogger.com3