“Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true!" -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am finally living my dream! My name is Sarah Edgar, and ever since I was 6 years old all I ever wanted to do was be an exchange student, but as I grew older I thought I would never be able to be a high school exchange student. Here I am today, a junior in high school, who is currently studying abroad in Bosnia i Herzegovina, in the lovely city of Sarajevo!!

If you had asked me at the beginning of sophomore year would I go and study abroad, my junior year in high school, I would have replied,'
“1. No, there is NO way my parents are letting me out of this state, all by myself, at age 15, never mind the country.
2. I will not let myself miss the most important year in my high school career.
3. my parents aren't going to pull, $15,000 out of their pockets, and hand it to me saying, “Go study abroad in country that you know nothing about.""

Well, through YES Abroad, which is funded by the State Department, my parents are saying goodbye to their "little girl" and I am allowing myself to give up my junior year "Dream" of taking AP and Dual Credit classes to study abroad and have a cultural exchange. At least my parents didn't have to dish out $15,000!! :)

God has given me such an amazing opportunity, He has opened so many doors for me, and it is INCREDIBLE!!! I can't wait to see where this journey takes me!! I would love for you to follow my journey through this blog, which I will be keeping updated every few weeks! Hope you enjoy!

Monday, May 27, 2013

"When one door closes, another opens." -Alexander Graham Bell


As the door to my sophomore year in high school comes to a close, the door to my junior year opens!!!

My sophomore year has been an amazing year!!! It has been full of surprises and good things!!!! I have had an amazing time making memories with some of the best people I have ever known, I have accomplished things I never thought I could, and I have learned about things I could only imagine about! It is hard to even think my junior year could be better, but I know that it will be! But with the door of sophomore year slowly closing and junior year opening comes a little sadness! Though, I am beyond excited about this exchange program, I am a little sad to have to say goodbye to some of my friends! Not so much my sophomore friends (don’t take offense guys, I just know that you will still be at school when I come back!), but rather my junior friends!!

The last day of school was very sad, knowing it was my last day of school EVER with my best friends, who were juniors, was kinda shocking and sad! These were the people who helped me through my first couple years of public school, the people who I went to prom and school events with, and when I get back.... they won't be at school to do those things with me any more !! Knowing that my senior year is going to be completely different without them is very sad! But I know that everything will work out!

On a happy note and change of subject, I just had my second webinar on Sunday!!! It is official, I will be leaving America on August 15, 2013, and returning to Washington DC on June 16, 2014, and returning to Russellville June 17, 2014, (Day before my birthday, YAYYYYYY!!) and I should be getting my host family info by mid July!!!! I am sooo excited that every thing is set in stone!!!! The fact that I get my packing list this week is kind of crazy, and it is making it start to sink in... I am finally going to be an exchange student!! Other than that information, I have nothing new that would interest you all.

Since it is 78 days till I leave, I guess I had better start working on my Bosnian! I will try to keep your guys posted over the summer about new information, but I wouldn't expect too many posts between now and mid July! I hope everyone enjoys their summer!!! Thanks for all the prayers, please keep praying, specifically for my host family, as well as, for me with getting all my official paperwork filled out and such!!! Thanks again for your support!

Until something new happens,

Sarah Edgar



Some of the best moments this year!!!

 
US History wouldn't be the same with out these people

Don't forget to eat your Banana!! You have made this year soooo much fun!!!! You are the only person who gets my homeschooler jokes and laughs at them!!! lol We spend all class period laughing at ourselves or Caleb and Madison's Dance Mom coversations, nevermind laughing at Levi being... well, Levi!! lol  

 
OHHH, Spanish class... This picture explains our friendship, perfectly!

 
Where do I start??? I have absolutely loved getting to know this CRAZY Chinese lady over the year!! We have made so many funny memories! I am going to miss her so much!

AG Class.... No words are needed for this picture!

 My best friend since I was 6 years old!! I am so blessed to have had you as friend! I am going to miss you bunches! Enjoy your Junior year! Sorry I am  leaving you alone with Wesley.... he had better not "abuse" you other wise, I will have to come back and beat him up! haha We have had so much fun over the years! I can't wait to see how God uses us in the future!

I don't like you... haha We have grown up being practically like sisters!!! I couldn't imagine life with out some one as crazy as you! I have had so much fun with you over the last few years! We have made crazy music videos, sang like tone deaf grandmas, and danced like mad people, but with all that crazyness we end up laughing so hard tears roll down our face!

Well.... I LOVE YOU TWO!!! This past year we have gotten so close! We have made so many memories, many of which consist of laughing at Courtney's cat obsession! You two were the ones who were always there for me when I first came to school!! I will always remember the day I told you two I was coming to Logan! I can't believe you guys are seniors! Love you two!!

AHHHH, my "little" cousin.... Ok, well I guess you are older and taller, but its what evs. You have been my ride home for the last two years, and let me say, on many days you are what made my day better! We have had so many wonderful conversations about traveling the world and what we hope to do one day! I can't believe you are senior considering I have grown up with you since day one! I hope you have an amazing senior year, try not to miss me too much!

Chandler!!!! We have had so much fun these past few months! Whether it was Prom or "studying" for our Bible Study! I am so glad that we have become best friends! I finally have a friend who agrees with my "rules"!! I can't wait to spend the summer with you at the pool ;)!!!
I have had such a fun time with you this year! We froze our butts off in Canada, but we still had an awsome trip!!! I have so many fun memories with you whether it is our gangster talk or our funny movie lines, you always keep me laughing