Hello friends! As some of you may know, I am an extremely indecisive person who sometimes rambles on a touch too long or doesn’t make sense, so I am requesting some grace here and now before I begin this journey of somehow trying to give y’all a sneak peak of my experience (look, see how long I already made that sentence). Anyways, I am so excited to be a part of CR12!
Before I talk more about Cultural Routes, I think it is important for you all to know a little about myself! I’m a sunshine and adventure gal from Orange County, California who can often be found wearing either hair scarves or my Brixton hat. I’m very good at embarrassing myself, being clumsy is honestly quite a talent of mine. I’m a very nervous person, so I get quiet when I am overwhelmed which is an area that I truly believe CR is going to challenge me in. I love to love people and actually know their hearts because that’s where I believe we can see the fullness of who people genuinely are. Basically, my name is Hailey Wagener, and I am a hot mess with a compassionate heart excited to go outside my comfort zone and live a little.
Back to Cultural Routes, I remember my junior year of high school stalking all the college instagrams that I was interested in. I came across a TCU account and remember seeing some posts of CR9, and the thought crossed my mind that if I go to TCU I want to do that. Well, here I am at TCU and have somehow found my way into going on Cultural Routes. During my first semester, I met a couple CR alums through my sorority, Exodus, church, and major. Each individual raved about their experience but not in the typical study abroad response claiming it was “just so fun”; they told me about the personal growth they went through, relationships they built, knowledge and wisdom they gained, and memories to serve them a lifetime. It is an adventure that involves being uncomfortable and vulnerable, two states of mind that I have grown to love because it is in those moments that transformation happens. So, I knew CR was special, and I wanted to be a part of it.
My initial strategy for the application was to have it done at least a week early to lessen any stress before the deadline. Well, that didn’t happen. I remember working on it for a couple weeks but not finishing it until the day before because I really wanted to make sure that it reflected who I am and basically why I probably need CR more than it needs me. I remember waiting all winter break for January 8th to come and praying constantly for this opportunity. Finally, the day arrived and so did the email, followed by probably the loudest shout of joy ever to come from my mouth and the largest bear hug with my mom. It was such an answered prayer but didn’t feel real in the moment or even still today. I think I reread every section of the link posted at least five times that day to make sure it was real!
All this being said, I am excited for y’all to follow along in this journey with me. I hope that this space is one of inspiration, heart change, confidence, knowledge, laughs, tears, memories, challenges, friends, beauty, and gelato.
To start off my embarrassing moments and begin the vulnerability, enjoy a cute pic of young Hailey.
Much Love,
Hailey
Cultural Routes 12 