I definitely am. I’m relatively shy, but I also see CBYX as an opportunity to step out of that. You’re sort of creating a new image of yourself in a place where no one knows you. I’m sure shyness will prevail in some situations, however, I hope that I’ll be more confident and less introverted in a new place!
@linzyh Thanks!! I hope the panel liked them.
I’m definitely worried about making friends - not because I’m shy, but because of the language barrier. But, hey, we’ll find a way!
I have my interview tomorrow. I’m sooo nervous/excited.
@evan241 good luck! I thought your essays were outstanding; I really got to know you. I don’t know how they view having previous exchange experience, but I’m sure you’ll get accepted if your interview goes well.
Good luck again!
@evan241 good luck!! You deserve a spot and I hope you get one 
@jakobw Thank you!! Yeah, I’m hoping it’s an advantage because it shows that I can handle the pressures/challenges of exchange, so I guess I will see
@petitlion Thank you! Hopefully I will.
I’ve looked on a few CBYX blogs to learn a bit about the interviews, but I’m not going to be that person who memorizes answers to possible questions haha. I’m just going to let my passion and enthusiasm guide me and hope I don’t completely blank on a question (which is my biggest worry at this point haha)
Happy February! How did your interview go?
Ooo I made it into the semifinals! Yay!
@petitlion congratulations! When’s your interview? I’ve been so nervous all day; I hope my email comes soon!
@jakobw thank you! I believe it said March 14th and 15th, but I don’t remember for sure. Are you with CIEE? Since I live in Atlanta I can just come to the interview here, thank goodness
@petitlion ah! I see. I didn’t get selected 
probably because I’m a German citizen anyways. Anyway, hope you get the scholarship!
Congrats @petitlion !! You will rock that interview My interview went really, really well. The event was a little unique because it was me and five applicants for a different scholarship (Speedwell, a local scholarship)…The other CBYX semis in my area had their interview the weekend before (when I was snowed it, haha). We did a group activity and the judges observed us and took notes, which was SO much fun. Then, I had an individual interview being interviewed by two judges, and then I was interviewed separately by a different judge. To be honest, it was a lot of fun, and I think I did well. It’s REALLY competitive though in the AFS region, so I guess I’ll just have to see
@jakobw I’m sorry to hear that…It sounded really competitive (I have a couple other friends who didn’t get in)…but the nice thing about being a German citizen is that it makes it so much easier to study in Germany in the future
@evan241 yeah, hopefully I’ll study in Europe anyways. They had a record number of applications this year! I’ll apply again in my senior year.
I’d be interested in seeing how many students applied from each region (the differences between ASSE and CIEE, for example). I think the numbers are not necessarily that equal.
Anyways, enough of me. I’m not in this race anymore! Good luck to you and to everyone else! You deserve this.
@jakobw From what I’ve heard, they are not equal AT ALL. CIEE receives hundreds of apps (I’ve heard 600, but I, of course, don’t know, haha). AFS receives maybe 400…then, from what I’ve heard, ASSE gets 150ish, and FLAG and YFU sometimes struggle to get 50 completed apps…(of course, I don’t know exactly, but these are the rumors I’ve heard) So, you CIEE peeps (and to a lesser extent, us AFSers) kind of have bad luck, but hey, applying a second time will definitely show your initiative Thanks, and good luck in all of your endeavors!
@evan241 thanks! That’s a bit weird, in my opinion. Shouldn’t all kids get an equal chance? 
Another way of looking at it is that there’s just more motivation to succeed! It’s a two-sided coin.
Thanks for your help, and keep us posted on here.
@jakobw Oh I’m sorry, but hopefully you’ll get in next year, and you still have some great opportunities to study in Europe
Wow I didn’t think that many people would apply…I wonder if anyone else from my school applied…
I found out that so far 150 people have applied for the FLAG region. They extended the application due date, so I have to wait several more weeks to find out if I’m a semifinalist. crossing my fingers
@linzyh good luck!
You guys! I’ve also submitted my application through F.L.A.G! I’m freaking out too! If I would’ve known that the due-date was extended, I would have taken advantage of the remaining days.
Hey Guys! @petitlion invited me to join this thread!
I’ll be interviewing in Atlanta G.A. from Charlotte N.C. to spend my junior year abroad.
I’m so unbelievably excited about this opportunity! I can’t imagine spending an entire year in Germany. It would truly be a dream come true.
If anyone still wants to exchange essays, hit me up!
@jakobw How are you a German citizen? That’s so cool!
@evan241 EVANNNNN! 
@schnuff3 I was born there but moved here when I was 4. I still speak German at home and go to visit every summer.
Good luck with your interview!