So I realize that this blog is primarily for information about my Fulbright grant and the endeavors while there, but I also think it is important to share some other aspects of my life.
For example, because I accepted the Fulbright grant, I forfeited my teaching job in Cleveland that was to start in August. However, the grant does not start until mid-March... what was I going to actually do with my tie until then? At first, I was going to either stay in Pittsburgh or Cleveland (wherever I could find a better job first). I started working at two restaurants, a coffee shop, and a marketing company. I also applied for a lot of laboratory and chemistry-related positions. I was kind of just in life limbo for awhile because I was so used to having a driving purpose with specific goals that I didn't know how to handle just.... basically waiting until March. I don't wait well.
Anyway, I was on the swings one night at an elementary school near my house and I had a kind of epiphany. I have been talking about moving out west for years. What better thing to do with my winter off than apply to work at ski resorts for a seasonal position? I immediately started filling out applications online for what National Geographic claimed to be the "world's 25 best ski towns." I heard back first from Vail and Telluride. Both places intrigued me, but I had never been to either one (I had never been skiing out west at all before). The deciding factor was the awkward, stressful overly-planned skype interview with my potential boss from Vail (who also informed me that I did not qualify employee housing there) versus the unplanned, casual phone call from my potential boss from Telluride who made me feel at ease and excited about the opportunity. I was on my way to Telluride.
I arrived here on November 11, and it's been an unreal experience so far and I have not even gotten to ski very much due to lack of real snow. It's like living in a Patagonia Disneyland. I'm sure I'll have more stories to share soon.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Fulbright Disclaimer
This page is not an official Department of State website or blog. The views
and information presented are my own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.
"Regarding the status of your Fulbright application"
Well, I'm starting a blog again for a whole new round of adventures in South America. Let me provide some background information on how this happened...
I applied for a Fulbright ETA (English Teaching Apprenticeship) in the Fall of 2011 to return to Argentina. My application was advanced through the first two stages, and I found out in March that I was designated as an alternate candidate. I was informed by the Fulbright Commission that they would not be in contact again unless I was to be awarded a scholarship, and they politely asked that I do not send them any more information because it would have no effect on my status. It was at this point that I started applying in earnest for other opportunities.
Fast forward a few months... I graduated from college (most expensive piece of paper ever), secured a full-time chemistry teaching job at Cleveland Height- University Heights High School (and signed a letter of intent), had the email removing myself from the Fulbright alternate candidate list drafted, and was traveling aimlessly across the United States in one last "let's be irresponsible before I actually have to start supporting myself" hoorah. While staying in Colorado with extended family (thanks again for putting up with me, Brian), I received an email from the Fulbright Commission asking me to contact them immediately regarding my application. I remember walking outside and sitting on the side of the street as I was told that I was being offered a position as an ETA candidate in Uruguay. Life crossroad moment.
I decided to accept the offer the next day (after frantically calling my parents and trying to wrap my head around what this actually meant), and I called the school district to inform them of my decision, as well. Let me pause here for a second and explain a little bit about why I was offered this opportunity in Uruguay. Uruguay is very close to Argentina, and most people who live in Buenos Aires (which is by far the largest city in Argentina) consider the beaches in Uruguay practically their backyard (it's only a short boat ride away and when I was on my exchange program in Argentina, we took a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay). The commission did not believe funding for the program in Uruguay would be available for 2012-13 so no one could apply. Therefore, when the funding did come through, the Commission picked three candidates from the alternate list for Argentina, and I was one of them. While pondering all of this, I finished my tour of the United States, returned back home to Pittsburgh, and was not really sure what to do with my life until March. I have free time!
I applied for a Fulbright ETA (English Teaching Apprenticeship) in the Fall of 2011 to return to Argentina. My application was advanced through the first two stages, and I found out in March that I was designated as an alternate candidate. I was informed by the Fulbright Commission that they would not be in contact again unless I was to be awarded a scholarship, and they politely asked that I do not send them any more information because it would have no effect on my status. It was at this point that I started applying in earnest for other opportunities.
Fast forward a few months... I graduated from college (most expensive piece of paper ever), secured a full-time chemistry teaching job at Cleveland Height- University Heights High School (and signed a letter of intent), had the email removing myself from the Fulbright alternate candidate list drafted, and was traveling aimlessly across the United States in one last "let's be irresponsible before I actually have to start supporting myself" hoorah. While staying in Colorado with extended family (thanks again for putting up with me, Brian), I received an email from the Fulbright Commission asking me to contact them immediately regarding my application. I remember walking outside and sitting on the side of the street as I was told that I was being offered a position as an ETA candidate in Uruguay. Life crossroad moment.
I decided to accept the offer the next day (after frantically calling my parents and trying to wrap my head around what this actually meant), and I called the school district to inform them of my decision, as well. Let me pause here for a second and explain a little bit about why I was offered this opportunity in Uruguay. Uruguay is very close to Argentina, and most people who live in Buenos Aires (which is by far the largest city in Argentina) consider the beaches in Uruguay practically their backyard (it's only a short boat ride away and when I was on my exchange program in Argentina, we took a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay). The commission did not believe funding for the program in Uruguay would be available for 2012-13 so no one could apply. Therefore, when the funding did come through, the Commission picked three candidates from the alternate list for Argentina, and I was one of them. While pondering all of this, I finished my tour of the United States, returned back home to Pittsburgh, and was not really sure what to do with my life until March. I have free time!
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