The Devon Way

I have now been in England for one week.
Any guesses how many cups of tea I've had?

My guess....with an average 4 to 5 cups per day, I would say about 30,

but as an avid tea drinker though, I don't mind it one bit.

English tea is a beauty in itself.

After making the hot tea, milk and often sugar, are added to the cup.

Although I've become quite a fan of tea with milk and sugar, with so many cups a day, I've turned to tea with milk for the majority of the time, and the occasional "dessert tea".

Below is a specialty called a cream tea.

A cream tea consists of;

- a pot of tea

- milk and sugar for the tea

- jam

- scones

- clotted cream

This lovely cream tea from Thornes Farm Shop, even came with a few beautiful strawberries from the PYO (Pick Your Own) Fields that surround the shop.

If you split the scone in half, spread the clotted cream followed by a bit of jam, you'll have this....

A Devonshire Cream Tea. 

Welcome to.... Illinois?

Yes, I am still headed to England.
No, I did not get lost.

As part of the IFYE program, before taking the hop across the pond, I had to stop off to get oriented at the National IFYE Orientation for 3 days.

On Friday, June 14th, my beautiful family took to Denver International Airport.  (Words cannot explain how much I love them.)

A few hours later, I was situated in a hotel in Bloomington, IL where the volunteers (mainly IFYE alumni and SIFYEs [Spouses of IFYES]) have put together a program to help both incoming and outgoing IFYEs get ready for this adventure of a life time.

In all, we have 28 IFYEs beginning this experience here in Bloomington, 21 inbound (From Austria, Germany, Greece, Northern Ireland, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and Wales) and 7 outbound (From Colorado, Montana, Kansas and Illinois).

Cecilia from Sweden was my first new friend as we arrived at the same time, and she is one of the 11 IFYEs headed to Colorado.  She also gave me this glimpse into American Culture, winning the award for Quote of the Day

"I had Fruit Loops for breakfast.  It was like eating candy and milk." - Cecilia

On day two of the orientation, we spent the morning talking about our respective programs, and soaking up advice from past IFYEs.  One of my favorite sessions was a photography workshop put on by Harlen Persinger, an award winning photojournalist (and an American IFYE who traveled to Norway just after serving in Vietnam).  His "photo art" could speak for itself, but he also took the time to talk about techniques like silhouetting, framing and using leading lines to draw people into the picture.

We also had the opportunity to go to The Funk Prairie Home.  This 1860s house was built by Lafayette Funk, son of the infamous Isaac Funk who built the largest farm in the United States by one unaided man (25,000 acres).  Filled with gorgeous artifacts, the Prairie Home as well as the historic barn and equipment museum, are one of the most popular field trips for local schools because of the educational value and free guided tours led by members of the Funk family.

 

 

 

 

From the farm, we traveled into town where we were able to sit down at a local church and discussed any questions people may have had about religion and the different church branches along with host expectations.  As an IFYE, ambassadors will be part of the families, which could include going to church or attending other religious ceremonies or activities with the family that may not align with what they believe.

 

 

 

 

 

On the last day of orientation, we continued in the same fashion, meeting in the morning to help prepare us for our exchange and then going on outings to see some of the local attractions.

 

These included.....

The Illinois State University Horticulture Gardens

 

 

Corn Crib Stadium, Home of the Normal (The only town in the world named Normal) Cornbelters and the World Greatest Bathroom

 

 

 

 

 

and the Ropp Dairy Farm

 

 

 

After touring this Registered Jersey dairy farm where they use the milk from the 50+ cows to make cheese, we gathered around a fire for roasted hotdogs, watermelon and S'mores before spending the rest of the evening giving short presentation, skits, etc about our homes.

 

 

While I have been excited about this experience for months, it wasn't until today that it finally hit me. 

I AM GOING TO EUROPE.

But tonight, I'm headed to bed.

Farewell America.

 

 

Where the Journey Began....

You might call it the travel bug,
or a world heart,
but I have NEVER felt truly settled about staying in the United States.

As a small child, I traveled away in my books.

When I got older, my family started hosting exchange students, and I was able to travel through their pictures and stories.

Then the summer after my 14th birthday, I went to Japan for two months where I went to a language school for a month and then had a wonderful homestay experience with a family that sent both of their daughters to live with my family.

And in college, I studied abroad in New Zealand for a semester, where I fell in love even further in love with traveling. (Check out that blog here!)

Now, as a recent college graduate, many people are asking the question, "What's next?"

Well.... I'm headed to Europe!

During my senior year of college, I started the process of becoming an International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE).  I was selected and assigned to spend six months in the United Kingdom (N. Ireland and England) and Norway.  I will be blogging here while I am across the pond and I PROMISE THERE WILL BE MORE PICTURES THAN THIS BLOG.

In case you're interested, here's a quick look at the process to become a Colorado IFYE:

Oct 1 - Application Deadline

For Colorado's IFYE program applicants ages 19-30 can apply.  This application is only about 3-4 pages long but does require a bit of reflection and introspection, so don't put it off.  It also requires applicants to get three references to fill out a one page reference questionnaire.  A program deposit is required at this time, but is only cashed if applicant is selected as an IFYE. The Colorado IFYE program is blessed to be a fully funded program so this is one of the few expenses that are not covered.

October/November - Interviews

At the interview, a panel of interviewers ask applicants questions to gage their fit in the IFYE program.  Within the next 48 hours following the interview, they try to notify the applicants with their selection decisions.  Currently the Colorado program tries to send two applicants each year but sometimes they send a third.

February - Country Assignments/Travel Documents

As part of the application and interview process, applicants give the coordinator their country preferences.  The coordinator then works with the different countries to come up with a plan.  Once all countries and the applicant agree on a plan, a country assignment agreement must be signed and returned to the coordinator.

Visa an Passports - Once future IFYE Ambassadors know where they will be going, they are responsible for securing the needed passport and visas.  A copy of this passport should be submitted to the coordinator and left with a trusted relative or friend incase of an emergency.

April/May - Orientation/Prep Work

As the take off date gets closer and closer, it is important to get prepared to leave.  This includes submitting bibliographies to go to host families, securing international health insurance and researching about the countries.  There is also a state orientation program to help outbound IFYEs gain from the wisdom of IFYE alumni and interact with the state coordinator. 

June - National Orientation/Fly Out

Around the middle of June, all outbound IFYEs from the United States and many of the inbound IFYEs from overseas meet for a multiday orientation.  From there, outbound IFYEs head to their host countries for the next three to six months.  During this time, IFYEs stay with host families as they try to facilitate a cultural exchange.  Living as family members, not tourists, they often work on the family farms and participate in household chores/activities.

After returning in December - Reporting

Upon returning, the state coordinator will set up several presentations for each representative.  In Colorado, this reporting period goes from January through the end of April. IFYEs give presentations around the state to community groups about the countries they visited and their experiences abroad.  (A gas stipend is supplied by the foundation.)

Becoming an IFYE doesn't end at the reporting, however.  I have been told that "once an IFYE, always an IFYE."  Strong IFYE alumni organizations exist at all levels world wide because of the powerful experience individuals have as part of this program.

***IF you are not able to take part in this program as an IFYE ambassador, you can still be a part of this great program.  We are always looking for new host families that are willing to take in an international family member for two to three weeks.

If you're interested in the Colorado IFYE program or in becoming a host family, please contact Courtney Loflin. She would love to talk to you about this amazing opportunity!