Today, is the day that I have been waiting for since I applied for the YSEALI Professional Fellowship Program Fall 2018…Yup you read it right! 2018!

I already applied for this program last year but wasn’t able to be chosen as the professional fellow. I was a bit heart broken when I got an email from ICMA that I was an alternate fellow and I have to wait until a fellow will no longer be available and take his or her place. To tell you honestly, I have been praying really hard that someone from the chosen fellows will back out but then I realized how terrible I was so instead of hoping that, I decided to pursue my dream and re apply this year. I told my self, I am 34 years old and I still have next year If I still don’t get in…let’s talk about persistence…

Fortunately, my determination lead me to this post. I was so thrilled when I got the congratulatory email from ICMA. I am so grateful that YSEALI, ICMA and ICLEI gave me another chance and help me realized my dream of becoming a Professional Fellow.

I can’t wait to take part in all of the activities and meet the other professional fellows and build networks. I am so excited to visit many places that I have only seen in the movies and experience the American Culture. Finally, I am looking forward to learn many ways on how to address the community challenge that I have identified and bring it back to my beloved city and country.