Pre-Departure Build Up

After all the motivating, working hard, budgeting and planning that has taken place since September 2012, it was time for me to pack up and head out to begin writing the blank pages in the next chapter of the book called "My Life".
Last year's study abroad program and overland travels [13 countries, 12 credits, 9 months] required an immense deal of planning. From HSU campus bureaucracy and approval to scholarship and visa applications to obtaining a 'temporary secondary passport', I could have joined the circus after all the flaming hoops I had to jump through. Which is why I highly recommend taking the ease and stress off by starting the planning early.

This time around, I had less time, less things to do and fewer destinations. I began searching for internships in September with the requirements being a grassroots organization that focuses on social justice, human rights (specifically women's rights) and/or poverty alleviation in the Republic of Cameroon.

Using the F A N T A S T I C book my Aunty Patty bought for me, The Big Guide to Living and Working Overseas, I attempted to perfect an international curriculum vitae [way harder than I thought] and individual letters of motivation/cover letters to send to potential internship organizations. This is what I ended up with:

Two had internships in place, another nine or so accepted volunteers and a few such as UNICEF didn't mention anything other than activities and office location. I applied to 13 of these in December and began receiving feedback by 12 Dec. Things were looking good.

Storage Unit/Month = $41
Cheaper than rent!

Storage unit, on the second floor, around two corners.
Photo Credit: Paul Gamache

See ya next year!
Photo Credit: Paul Gamache

After some good quality family and friend time, and a little bit of snow shoeing...

Snowshoeing around my parents property on the Montreal (Wisconsin) River

...I decided to choose Social Development International (SDI), a small NGO in Buea, Cameroon. I will be working as their Community Service and Development Intern from March-August 2013.

Social Development International

As part of their team, I will be expected to identifying community issues, needs and problems; developing new community-based programs and resources; evaluating and monitoring existing programs; enlisting the cooperation of government bodies, corporate bodies, community organizations and sponsors; raise public awareness;recruiting and training voluntary staff; fundraising for community activities; planning, coordinating, attending meetings and events, and encouraging participation in activities. WOAH! That's a mouthful. I accepted this offer on Christmas Eve :)

DO NOT wait until the last week or even month to start dealing with visa stuff. Sometimes you need a lot of things which can take a while to set up and collect. Always check with the country embassy in your home county for correct up to date requirements! 

For example, the Cameroon Embassy in Washington DC website tells you everything you need to know. If you have many places (more than 3 or 4 countries) that you need to get visas for, I suggest paying a little extra to have a service company such as Dukes Visa Services do it for you.

All documentation less the USPS money orders of $275!

Two days until Canada.

Six days until French classes at ILSC-Montréal.

Sixty-seven days until I see Paul and arrive in Cameroon, West Africa. 

Happy New Year!

My new year's resolutions: 

1) More yoga and meditation: I want to delve deeper into myself and the world around me. I want to incorporate yoga and meditation into my every day life, like eating breakfast and drinking water. 

2) Always act with kindness, compassion and love: Remember that "All success in life, whether material or spiritual, starts with the thoughts that you put into your mind every second of every minute of every day. Your outer world reflects the state of your inner world. By controlling the thought that you think and the way you respond to the events in your life, you begin to control your destiny."

3) In 2013 I want to...document, research, love, photograph, laugh, cry, question, play, write, interview, videotape, observe, analyze, grow, learn, explore, inspire, motivate, challenge, and   
L i V E!