After getting my itinerary and convincing myself I was actually going to Kenya I realized it wasn't actually a given I was going to win. There are so many teachers out there with bigger and better ideas, more eloquent words, more experienced grant writers....
Why didn't I get more people to proofread my answers? My procrastination and stubbornness probably had something to do with it. These are things I need to work on.
I was told I would hear by the end of March. It WAS the end of March.... what does it mean if you don't hear. Are there so many applicants that they are having to take longer to decide? Did mine get tossed out in the first round and they were going to tell me last? Was I a top pick and they wanted to tell the others first so they were just waiting to let the winners know? Luckily- I was on Spring Break and visiting with both of my sisters when I got the email. It was bittersweet, of course.
April 3, 2014 " We would like to inform you that the selection panel judges have completed their review of teacher applicants and have submitted their recommendations to IIE and Hilton Worldwide. On behalf of Hilton Worldwide and the Institute of International Education, I would like to inform you that you have been selected as a Runner-Up for the 2014 Hilton Worldwide Teacher Treks Program: Travel Grant. As a Runner-Up of this program, you were among the top 1% of candidates who applied to this program. The 2014 selection process was highly competitive with a large response from experienced and eligible educators from all over the United States."
Here is who won: http://www.iie.org/Programs/Hilton-Teacher-Treks-Program/2014-Grant-Recipients#2014-Grant-Recipients
Of course- It was a big blow to me as I was so set on traveling. I did get $1500 for being a runner-up and I was very grateful for that, but it wasn't the $6,000. I decided to go on a run to clear my head and ponder it all. My mind raced with new ideas... maybe I should just go back to New Mexico and stay in the Airstream again... maybe I needed to travel to Peru (it's on my bucket list)... maybe I'm supposed to slow down and just go to the pool and paint and sculpt at home.... the ideas were endless and my brain wouldn't stop... but nothing felt RIGHT. I was set on Kenya. Plus my three school aged kids were accounted for June 28 - July 11. I had an opportunity to seize! Fifteen hundred dollars sounds like a lot to travel on, but with plane tickets at $2000 to Nairobi it goes quickly. If I could APPLY that grant money and then raise the rest then I could still go. It was just a matter of a little red tape.
Why didn't I get more people to proofread my answers? My procrastination and stubbornness probably had something to do with it. These are things I need to work on.
I was told I would hear by the end of March. It WAS the end of March.... what does it mean if you don't hear. Are there so many applicants that they are having to take longer to decide? Did mine get tossed out in the first round and they were going to tell me last? Was I a top pick and they wanted to tell the others first so they were just waiting to let the winners know? Luckily- I was on Spring Break and visiting with both of my sisters when I got the email. It was bittersweet, of course.
April 3, 2014 " We would like to inform you that the selection panel judges have completed their review of teacher applicants and have submitted their recommendations to IIE and Hilton Worldwide. On behalf of Hilton Worldwide and the Institute of International Education, I would like to inform you that you have been selected as a Runner-Up for the 2014 Hilton Worldwide Teacher Treks Program: Travel Grant. As a Runner-Up of this program, you were among the top 1% of candidates who applied to this program. The 2014 selection process was highly competitive with a large response from experienced and eligible educators from all over the United States."
Here is who won: http://www.iie.org/Programs/Hilton-Teacher-Treks-Program/2014-Grant-Recipients#2014-Grant-Recipients
Of course- It was a big blow to me as I was so set on traveling. I did get $1500 for being a runner-up and I was very grateful for that, but it wasn't the $6,000. I decided to go on a run to clear my head and ponder it all. My mind raced with new ideas... maybe I should just go back to New Mexico and stay in the Airstream again... maybe I needed to travel to Peru (it's on my bucket list)... maybe I'm supposed to slow down and just go to the pool and paint and sculpt at home.... the ideas were endless and my brain wouldn't stop... but nothing felt RIGHT. I was set on Kenya. Plus my three school aged kids were accounted for June 28 - July 11. I had an opportunity to seize! Fifteen hundred dollars sounds like a lot to travel on, but with plane tickets at $2000 to Nairobi it goes quickly. If I could APPLY that grant money and then raise the rest then I could still go. It was just a matter of a little red tape.