[ The Countdown Begins ]

With only a few hours until departure, the fact that I am finally leaving is just setting in.

A quick explanation:
Sophomore year, I researched and wrote a five page paper on water scarcity in Peru, which was the beginning of my participation with the World Food Prize Foundation (WFP). That spring, I attended the Iowa Youth Symposium where other students and experts in the field discussed these papers together. It was terrific, and I was selected to participate in the Global Youth Institute (GYI) the following fall.  The GYI was incredibly eye-opening, and it helped me realize what I really wanted to do with my life--serve others. I applied for the internship, an opportunity to do research abroad, and made it through the interviews.  I was speechless when I found out that I had not only been chosen as a Borlaug-Ruan Intern, but that I would be working in Kathmandu, Nepal!  You can imagine how thrilled I was when I learned that I would be studying water availability along with conducting surveys of residents on their perceptions of water availability at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

After orientation in May, I was so ready to go! I had finally found out where I would be staying, and who I would be working for. The guest house looks beautiful, and I will be very pampered there with hot, clean water, Wi-Fi, free breakfast from the deli across the street, laundry service, cleaning service, yoga, and a home-like atmosphere.

• A link to the reviews on trip-advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g293890-d3198001-Reviews-At_Home_Nepal_Guest_House-Kathmandu_Kathmandu_Valley_Bagmati_Zone_Central_Region.html
• A link to the @Home website: http://www.at-home-nepal.com/

Furthermore, my supervisor, Aditi Mukherji, won the Borlaug Field Award the year I went to the GYI.  From the people I asked, she is incredibly brilliant and kind.

• A link to the Borlaug Field Award article: http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/19571/young_indian_scientist_announced_as_first_winner_of_the_borlaug_field_award
• A link to her profile from the ICIMOD website: http://www.icimod.org/?q=9886

There are only a few more hours until my plane departs from Des Moines. My flight schedule is just a little crazy, with a 13 hour flight and 7 hour layover in the midst, but I will be bringing plenty of books for entertainment along the way.

The reality of leaving for 8 weeks, and not being able to be with friends, family, and loved ones is sinking in.  I will miss driving, especially! Although my last days here are tinged with a bittersweet taste, I know that I am so ready to embark on this journey. I will be keeping in touch through this blog, but please also feel free to contact me through Facebook, Skype (asnyder244), or Gmail (asnyder244@gmail.com).

You can also look forward to many pictures! :)
Peace and love,
Abby Snyder