Updates

Ni hao! Long time no post. Let me update you with a few things.

First off, I have my Chinese final tonight... so I should be studying for it. Since I am auditing it... I am not too concerned. I am signing up for the second level being offered this winter. My mandarin adventure continues

I can read this. Only took 3 months.

Second off, I have applied to a few things since I am so antsy all the time. Sigh.

I officially applied to the State Department Summer Internship. As I said in a previous post, I choose our embassy in Ethiopia and a consulate in China. I'm not holding my breath about getting one but I will find out most likely after the holidays. It would defiantly improve my resume (in terms of foreign affairs) and I would get to work in another country. I also think I will be able to take a leave of absence from work since this internship is with another agency and somewhat job related. I will have to save up money for food/travel though wince its unpaid.

I also just sent in my application to the JET program. Considering how detailed and annoying the whole application is, I feel accomplished just turing it in ;) If I am lucky enough to get accepted, I am going to have to really think about what I want in life. Not only does JET pay quite a bit less than my current job, but they are actually cutting paychecks for new hires. But in terms of experience and my life, it would most certainly be the more exciting option. I would gain that "living in another country" experience I missed out while earning a somewhat decent living. I really am interested in Japan... so doing a few years there would be amazing. It, like everything, is a trade off... More money or better experience.

Speaking of money, I also got a call for a phone interview in Pittsburgh (my hometown) for a job I applied to over a year ago. It is just a phone interview for now... but the salary I'd get (and the cost of living in Pittsburgh) and being closer to my entire family would make it hard to pass up. It would also grant me a Top Secret Clearance which is pretty valuable in government land. I am worried I am going to get offered this and JET.. talk about internal conflicts!

CONCLUSION: Too many decisions!

(P.S. My Teach for China interview got moved to February. They are a little bit disorganized but I still plan on going to the interview and seeing if its something for me.)

Winter is Coming...

So, its been a while. With my Fall school semester ending this past week, I finally found time to update this blog. I won't start classes again until February, so I get to relax a bit..

I registered for my Spring semester classes:

• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Persuasive Comm Campaigns
• Africa & Global Economic System

I wish I could take a forth class but I think with my full-time work schedule that three is about as much as I can handle. I wanted to fit in a class on the EU and NATO... oh well.

Basically, to bring you guys up to speed with the career stuff, I am applying to three different things: Teach for China, the JET Program, and the State Department Internship.

I actually have an interview for Teach for China in a week but I am not so sure about it. I'd have to pay for my flight and it would be a two year commitment. The JET Program would be better becuase I'd be getting paid and have my travel covered. Plus, I could leave after a year if its not right for me. Obviously though, Teach for China would be better for my Mandarin skill :P

Out in left field is the State Department Internship. I am applying to the Chinese Embassy and the Ethiopian Embassy. From what I understand, it is incredibly competitive to get in. Also, I'd get no pay whatsoever. So I better start saving now to pay for my flight and food. It would only be 10 weeks though...

Anyhow, I will be making more postings soon. Maybe even a current event topic or two. We shall see.