Rach wakes up, quite early, on a Saturday morning following a hectic evening at a birthday party.

She yawns, sips a cup of tea and ignoring any homework she has at the top of her "To Do" list, logs into her email.

In her inbox is a message from the PMGF and her stomach drops. This can't be good news. The Fellows last year recieved letters, didn't they?

Expecting a rejection, she sighs, opens the email and begins to read...

"MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUM!"

(Mother dearest is in the kitchen, making toast)

"...WHAAAAAATTTTTT?"

"ERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR...DON'T THINK I CAN GO ON HOLIDAY WITH YOU THIS SUMMER"

(Mother dearest grabs her coffee, munches the last of her toast and toddles into the front room)

"What? Why?"

"Hum...Kinda going to India...?!"

My, oh my, oh my - It still hasn't quite sunk in yet. The amazing opportunity to visit India, to immerse myself in a culture and society so very different from my own; to understand new perspectives of the people I meet, to work with a global company and experience the effects of globalisation first-hand. All of this had attracted me to the Fellowship many months ago, after picking up a leaflet in my Sixth Form common room - but who would have known that I would be chosen to experience such an opportunity?

Hi, I'm Rach and I thought I'd try tackling this blog-writing business - to look back on my experiences and see what I learn throughout the summer, I suppose - and as a handy way for other people to have a nosey of what I get up to ;)

So right now, I really should be attempting to revise (I have my A level exams in History, English Literature, Government and Politics and Theatre Studies in a few weeks...) But as per usual, I'm preoccupied, thinking about the summer. I'm in a mental state similar to Annie, when she dreams about leaving the orphanage. Or Boris Johnson hallucinating about winning an Olympic medal in "Wiff Waff". Or JD from Scrubs wondering what it would be like to achieve his dream of becoming "Floating Head Doctor". (For anyone who has no idea what on earth I'm on about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpZVdAltIhM).

Anyway - I've been looking at some of the photos of India from last years' Fellows, watching some films, reading up on some facts. It's fascinating - I mean, 7% of the Indian population with the highest IQ is greater that the total population of the UK! I've been talking to some friends aswell, who have family over there and have been telling me a little about their experiences. I think I'm in for a bit of a culture shock, though - the facts and figures may be interesting, but nothing can compare to actually being there and being immersed in the culture myself.

But hey - I'm excited! It'll be great to meet everyone in London in a few weeks aswell- even though I will most probably look an absolute mess, arriving at 11:30 after attending my leaving prom in Liverpool the night before...I apologise for any scruffiness on my part, in preparation. :')

Soooo...First blog over...Nine weeks and counting...Can't wait!