I’ve only been to the USA twice in my life. Once when I was 11 years old for IFS (International Foreign Studies) program and 2nd when I headed a group of delegates to represent the Philippines in the Philippine Centennial Conference in Canada, after which our group of High Schoolers went to Florida to go to Disney World.
International Foreign Studies
1991 DELAWARE
First we went to Delaware where I stayed with 2 host families. I became acquaintede and fell in love with Bagel with melted butter and cream cheese. I remember asking to have it every single breakfast, and it was also what I brought to our outdoor classes for lunch. Suffice to say that I gained so much weight.
I’m grateful that my grandma allowed me to do this and was financially able to support me. Especially since we never traveled abroad. We only went to the beach on holidays and going abroad was usually reserved for one world tour during retirement!
SeaCamp
1991 ORLANDO, FLORIDA
After 2 weeks in Delaware, we went to SeaCamp in Florida. It was unforgettable. I found Spanish Dancers and other cool creatures during our nightly lagoon exploration and swam with sharks. I will never forget those moments. They were a core memory of my childhood.
I’ll have to check if I have photos. I remember that it was hard for me to take my camera because we were swimming or in the sea most days and nights.
Disney World with my Miriam College HS Delegation
1998 ORLANDO, FLORIDA
As a senior in high school I attended the Philippine Delegation to the Philippine Centennial Conference in Alberta, Canada. After the conference we did a sidetrip to DisneyWorld with my schoolmates and teachers. It was a wonderful reward for all the hardwork preparing for the conference. Here are some pics that I took with my camera and scanned.
I remember staying at the Ramadan Hotel in Anaheim.
As a high school student with her schoolmates this was a core memory I will never forget. And I appreciate my grandma for making it financially possible for me to go.
Rodeo Drive Hollywood
1998 LA CALIFORNIA
We also went to Hardrock Cafe and walked around in Rodeo Drive in Hollywood. We had no money to shop, but just seeing everything was already super cool for us!
