zdravo. Je sam Sophie.
(hello. I'm Sophie.)
I'm a student for the 2021-22 YES Abroad program in the beautiful country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Welcome to the place to see my adventures and hear from my heart.
about me.
The core of Sophie (that's me) is Jesus. He is my Father, Friend, Creator, and Helper. My identity is found in the fact that I am His daughter. A daughter of the King of the Universe. And I pray through my journey in Bosnia (which we'll get to soon) and through the snapshot of my time there (through this blog) you will see how Jesus has worked in my life and how He continues to do so. Without Him I am nothing. I pray He speaks to you and you come to see you can be a daughter or son of the King too.
Besides that, I am spontaneous and I love a good adventure. I can often be found knitting a hat, reading a book, doodling while listening to an audiobook or podcast or going on walks. I love anything creative and working with my hands -writing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, doodling, etc. Theater is also my passion. Getting to act on a stage is so humbling and a TON of fun! I love people too -old and young and in-between. I have a deep sense of compassion for others and getting to serve people is my cup of tea. Speaking of which, I also love a nice cup of tea! Babies are one of my favorite things on this planet. I crave holding babies like some girls crave chocolate. And yurts. I like yurts a lot too. And that's me in a snapshot -you probably already knew all that so thanks for sticking to it this far :)
YES Abroad Journey
November - December 2019
March 2020
July 2020
September 2020
November - December 2020
March 2021
July 2021
I begin thinking about foreign exchange and was inspired by my host sister, Anastasiia as well as a class presentation put on by YES Abroad staff. I am encouraged to apply for the Kennedy Lugar Scholarship and began the application process. By early December I submit it and I begin the long waiting process.
I receive an email saying I was an alternate for foreign exchange in the Philippines!! This was about four days before the great quarantine of 2020. Within a week, I am moved to finalist status.
I begin National Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) on Zoom and meet my fellow future Americans destined for the Philippine Islands as well as my wonderful coordinators. Somewhere in here I also learn that the trip was postponed to be reevaluated for potential departure in January.
My virtual year in the Philippines begins with weekly language lessons from my funny and dedicated teacher Sir Joshua! My group of four other girls text often and go through the joys and struggles of the Tagalog langauge. There are also large group Zooms with every country where we do group activities, get to know each other, and discuss foreign exchange, continue to prepare for a potential year abroad and hear from leaders and speakers on global topics.
The Philippines year abroad is officially canceled but I finish the virtual program and become a Yes Abroad Alumna for the virtual year. Now I reapply for the scholarship for the following year.
I receive a finalist email once again... this time for Ghana, Africa! I am thrilled beyond words and begin the whole process again including PDO again. I'm pretty prepared, to say the least :) This time I begin Visa application as well (and a long search for a Yellow Fever vaccine - apparently there was a huge shortage :)
Ghana is unexpectedly canceled on 4th of July weekend. I am devastated of course but continue to trust God's will for my future. and begin to pray for what's next. Within two weeks, I am reassigned for Bosnia and Herzegovina -and the rest is history I guess! :) What a journey!
And that's me.
