So I'm figuring that some people may not have been following my travels since the beginning, so I've decided to make an introduction post. Think of it as an "Ariel: the basics" post.
I am currently 18 years of age. I will be taking a gap year with NSLI-Y; more specifically I will be travelling to Morocco, living with a host family for 9 months and studying Arabic (MSA) in a school there. Last summer (summer of 2012) I participated in another NSLI-Y program. I went to Oman (Muscat) for just under two months, lived with a host family, and attended a school to learn Arabic. I will be going to Tufts University (go Jumbos!) in the fall of 2014.
I don't think I had ever thought of taking a gap year when I was younger. I had always envisioned myself as a person who would go straight from high school to college, almost impatient to start a new life and learn what I was truly interested in. However, during high school the "study abroad bug" bit me. I went to a Chinese Immersion K-8 school, and as our eighth grade trip, my class went to China for a month. This was my first study abroad experience. I don't know what prompted me to apply to NSLI-Y again this year-- maybe it was my love for Arabic, my subconscious need for an adventure, or simply because I was ready to do something as a completely independent person--whatever it may be, I am very glad that I did apply.
As of right now, I want to study Political Science and International Relations when I get to Tufts. Politics has been an enormous part of my high school career and life as a teenager. I know what you're thinking.."oh she's just another naive college student thinking she can change the world and become the next president". Perhaps I am that naive girl, but even if I am, I know that our country needs more of these, so I do not take your judgement as offensive, in fact, I embrace it with open arms :) I am, however, open to changing my mind. Maybe in these 9 months abroad I'll fall in love with another major and decide to pursue that. Whatever I may choose to study, you can rest assured that I will devote my body and soul into studying it and making something of the knowledge I will acquire.
So I think that concludes my "Ariel: the basics" post. I have given you a short run down of my life so far..and I promise to keep you updated.
Until next time!
I am currently 18 years of age. I will be taking a gap year with NSLI-Y; more specifically I will be travelling to Morocco, living with a host family for 9 months and studying Arabic (MSA) in a school there. Last summer (summer of 2012) I participated in another NSLI-Y program. I went to Oman (Muscat) for just under two months, lived with a host family, and attended a school to learn Arabic. I will be going to Tufts University (go Jumbos!) in the fall of 2014.
I don't think I had ever thought of taking a gap year when I was younger. I had always envisioned myself as a person who would go straight from high school to college, almost impatient to start a new life and learn what I was truly interested in. However, during high school the "study abroad bug" bit me. I went to a Chinese Immersion K-8 school, and as our eighth grade trip, my class went to China for a month. This was my first study abroad experience. I don't know what prompted me to apply to NSLI-Y again this year-- maybe it was my love for Arabic, my subconscious need for an adventure, or simply because I was ready to do something as a completely independent person--whatever it may be, I am very glad that I did apply.
As of right now, I want to study Political Science and International Relations when I get to Tufts. Politics has been an enormous part of my high school career and life as a teenager. I know what you're thinking.."oh she's just another naive college student thinking she can change the world and become the next president". Perhaps I am that naive girl, but even if I am, I know that our country needs more of these, so I do not take your judgement as offensive, in fact, I embrace it with open arms :) I am, however, open to changing my mind. Maybe in these 9 months abroad I'll fall in love with another major and decide to pursue that. Whatever I may choose to study, you can rest assured that I will devote my body and soul into studying it and making something of the knowledge I will acquire.
So I think that concludes my "Ariel: the basics" post. I have given you a short run down of my life so far..and I promise to keep you updated.
Until next time!
