Counting Down the Days... :)

April 9th - Got accepted into the Teach Abroad program! :) 

Dear Lauren, Congratulations! It gives me great pleasure to inform you that you have been accepted into the Teach Abroad program in Teach in Thailand for Fall 2 Semesters - 2013. CIEE invites you to participate in the placement and pre-departure process. The next step: YOU need to confirm your acceptance! How do you confirm your acceptance? You have 10 days to  log in tohttp://polaris.ciee.org to pay the commitment deposit and sign the participant contract. After you confirm your acceptance, CIEE will start working with governments and schools to secure your teaching position. * CIEE looks forward to working closely with you in the upcoming months to prepare you for your adventure abroad! If you have any questions, please contact CIEE Teach Abroad by phone or email. Sincerely, Alexandra Legere Teach Abroad Coordinator alegere@ciee.org / * Your acceptance means CIEE finds you to be an outstanding applicant, but placement is determined by the hiring schools and is not guaranteed with acceptance. If CIEE does not place you within the specified placement season, you will have the option of transferring to another program or receiving a refund of the $500 commitment deposit. Once you begin the TEFL course, the $1000 course fee is non-refundable, regardless of placement news.

July 16th - Got my placement and confirmation that I will be heading to THAILAND in October!!! 

Dear Lauren, We are writing to share exciting placement news with you! You have been placed to teach at: Anuban Saraburi School,Saraburi, Saraburi What happens next? You have 10 days to confirm your placement. Log in HERE to learn more about your school and confirm your placement. The sooner you confirm your placement, the sooner CIEE will send you your visa paperwork, Lonely Planet guidebook, and CIEETeach Abroad journals so you can start planning for your abroad adventure. We'll also notify your school that you are on board, and excited to meet your students. Please note: if you have already paid the balance of the program fee, you're all set. Your application will be confirmed automatically. CIEE is here to offer support and advice throughout the process, but remember this is YOUR experience. By confirming yourplacement you are committing yourself to tackling the pre-departure challenges with flexibility and positivity. You are one step closer, and your abroad adventure is coming into view on the horizon.

Now that I know I am leaving in October I can start planning the next 2-3 months... Booking a flight, packing, giving my 2 week notice at work :( , moving all of my stuff back home, and packing my bags for THAILAND. 

Bittersweet but AMAZING all at the same time! I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for me!