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!
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