By the time I started to I understand how education works and its importance, I started to dream studying abroad. However, knowing my families' financial status, I always tell to myself that this dream will never come into reality.
Back in 2005, when I was in the final lap of my second semester for my freshman year, I heard of a program that affords students to be sent in the US to attend an intensive month long training on peace mediation. I got so thrilled that I decided to apply for the program. I thought to myself, "There's no harm in trying. If others can make it, why can't I?" To cut the story shorter, I made it to the program! I was sent to a very nice little town called Dekalb and hosted by the Northern Illinois University, it is an hour drive from downtown Chicago.
It was a remarkable experience, but after having a little taste of a US class, I wanted to try a real studying in the US. Studying where I will be enrolled in some classes and take exams like the typical college life. Then, I search for any kind of scholarship that would kind of give me this dream. I have then heard of an office in Makati called PAEF which stands for Philippine American Educational Foundation otherwise known as the Fulbright Philippines.
Fulbright is very familiar to me. I was born in a family where education is valued on its highest scale and for my mom, to be a “Fulbrighter” is really something. It's definitely a BIG deal! From then on, I dreamed of being on the list of Fulbright Scholars.
On the later part of 2007, I heard of a new scholarship administered by PAEF. It's a program called 2008-2009 Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGrad). It is funded by the US Department of State under it's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Program. I googled it and I found the website of PAEF and details of the program. I thought to myself, should I try it? Maybe not, it's a Fulbright thing. It is something that is very high. Then, finally I decided to give it a try. I told to myself “I will just submit the requirements, it wouldn’t hurt.” At the back of my mind, “I am pretty sure, I will not make it.” Considering that I don’t go to the three big schools in Metro Manila. So, I submitted the documents needed, I even lied to my mom when I ask her to get a recommendation from a high school teacher of mine and to get my permanent record back in my primary, elementary, and high school. I told her that I just wanted to make those documents on hand in case I might need them. I don't want to tell her the real reason because I don't want her to feel bad in case I don't make it.
After a week or so after I submitted the forms and requirements. I got a call from PAEF scheduling me for an interview. I was so shocked that I got a call from them.
So, I went to their office on the schedule date wearing my school uniform. I just got off from school during that time. I remember it was an exam day. I was a little tired and of course, very nervous. I got more anxious when I met some students on the lobby who are also applicants and most of them are from the big three schools. After the interview, I told myself, "That's it! That's my first and last step at the PAEF office."
That was December, almost Christmas and they told me that I will hear a word from them next year. My mind was conditioned that I will not hear anything from them. Especially when I learned that a panel of selection in Washington, DC will be the final arbiter.
Weeks later, I got a text message telling me to call a number and it has something to do with my application for the UGrad. I rushed to the lobby of my dormitory and call that number. It was Ms. Con, the program officer of Fulbright Philippines. She told me that I have to take an exam, a mock TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) since it is a requirement and the actual TOEFL will be administered in May. Furthermore, the actual exam will only be taken by the students who will make it to the as a semi finalist. At this time, I called my parents and confessed to them that I am applying for a scholarship. I asked them to pray for me. My dad told me with his firm voice that if it is good for me and if it is really for me, I will certainly make it to the list.
So, I took the exam at the PAEF office. Later, I got a call asking me to take the actual TOEFL exam at the Ateneo Professional Center in Makati City sometime in April 2008. To my pleasant surprise, I got a score of 99.
After a few days, my parents arrived in Manila as they will be attending a conference in Pasig City. The following day, I got a call from PAEF telling me that the result from DC arrived and I made it to the program! I am expected to be in the US by July 26th which was my mom's birthday.
I can still vividly remember that morning. My friend Rashid sent me a text message earlier asking me If I got a call from PAEF, then as I was about to return his message saying I didn't make it, a familiar number is calling and it was Ms. Con, Ms. Dizon and Dr. Cunanan congratulating me. I don't even remember the other instructions that they told me because of happiness and extreme excitement. It's as if I was in “seventh heaven.”
Later on I started to wonder which state will I be placed and I started wishing that I will be placed somewhere in the West Coast because of my Illinois experience. California would be a nice place, my subconscious suggested.
We were then asked to attend the PDO (Pre Departure Orienation). Then to my surprise, I was one of the first students to be placed and guess what? I was placed in California State University, Dominguez Hills in Los Angeles county!!! I am so happy during that day.
So, I left the country on my mom’s birthday and I came back to the Philippines last January. It was an indeed an extraordinary experience.
That’s the story on how I applied for the scholarship. What I am trying to tell here is that for whatever you are dreaming of, just keep on believing and work for it. Just like what President Obama said on most of his speeches during his campaign, "Yes we can!"
Here are some links for more information of the scholarship, Fulbright, and World Learning (the administrator of the program in the US for the Western Hemisphere, East Asia and the Pacific).
World Learning http://www.worldlearning.org/13224.htm
US Department of State: http://exchanges.state.gov/academicexchanges/guep.html
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