It was early monday, april 7th 2008, when i recieved an email from the CSU, california state university. i recieved a letter in the mail a few days later:

"... April 1, 2008
Dear Mr. Nguyen:

Congratulations on being selected to participate in The California State University International Programs (IP). It is my pleasure to inform that the statewide committee of the Academic Council on International Programs has confirmed your acceptance for the 2008-2009 academic year in Italy...

...I am sure that your year of study will prove academically challenging and that it will be an unforgettable personal experience.

...sincerely, Leo Van Cleve, Director"

i think it was in 5th grade when i had a report to do......i dont remember what the assignment was but i remember doing a report on the SISTINE CHAPEL which is located in ROME, ITALY. basically MICHAELANGELO painted the entire ceiling of the chapel. it just got me more fascinated with art and i think that was when i first had the thought and the slight desire to travel to Europe. i wanted to go to Europe because of all the art.europe was an idea, which became a dream, turned into a possibility, into a option, then.. A GOAL... my friend susan participated in this exact program and she made me realize it was possible for ITALY to happen for me. i decided to apply... THE APPLICATION PROCCESS was pretty hard for me. i had to fill out a lengthy application online, get recommendations from two professors at school, write a decent statement of purpose, and go through an interview. I felt that my essay and my interview turned out terrible, but somehow, for some reason, i presented myself well enough for them to accept into the program...The big news came actually came at a very weird time in my life. there was already quite a bit on my mind... and now there is more to think about? 1. will this actually happen? 2. will mom and dad be ok with this? 3. money? 4. can i do this? 5. a whole year?! 6. i cant leave 7. i must leave 8. what am i going to do with my life? 9. how do you say airport in italian? 10. ETC... it has been a little over a month since i received the news. I have responsibilities including:-SCHOOL: 4 ART classes each of them being very time consuming.-WORK: a starbucks barista since may 2007-FAMILY and FRIENDS: i love them-CHURCH: has been such a great foundation for my life-MY PROBLEMS and ISSUES: i need to fix and grow as much as i can so that life could be its best.+ now i have ITALY PAPERWORK to stress me out even more... the paperwork is due MAY 15, 2008 and it has been quite a burden to hold. (the italy paperwork includes things like filling out forms about my current health status, the classes i plan to take, my means of payment, my flight information from the ticket i shaould have already purchased, and i did. ROUND TRIP AIRLINE TICKETS FROM LOS ANGELES to FLORENCE and back: $1,869 ..i paid out of my own pocket. the paperwork has added so much more stress to my life, BUT.. IVE GOT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT: ALL THE STRESS WILL BE WORTH IT. ITALY WILL BE THE GREATEST THING I WILL EVER DO IN MY LIFE and I GOT TO HANG IN THERE...