NASA TRIP

Hey there, I am Lekshmi B.K , student of 8th Grade , In the School of Good Shepherd Trivandrum Kerala, I am  happy to share my experience of U.S NASA Trip 

How I got this Opportunity 

During my schooldays, I had got a circular from my school, regarding the NASA educational Trip. The other places of visit were Miami University, Miami Beach and Disney World Orlando. As a newly joined student and a girl who studied at Village until 7th Grade, I was very surprised to see this circular. When I went through it, I found that the cost for the trip is Rupees 1.9 Lac. As it was a huge amount I thought that my parents won't allow me to go and I felt very sad. But as I came home and showed this to my parents, they were willing to send me. I was so happy but the only problem that we faced was we didn't know anything about the Lifestyle in USA and my parents were worried about the security issues as they were not coming with me. Then my mom started to call all of her US friends and asked them all about the lifestyle and security of the place Orlando. Then they shared their information to my parents and said that this an excellent opportunity and let me go and I felt thankful towards them. I was interested in visiting USA mainly because I could visit NASA, as I was interested learning about Space and Rockets from my 1st grade onwards. I had read many books about Universe and Space. This why my parents were willing to send me to USA. Later on some meeting were conducted in my school regarding this trip. The tour coordinator of the company “ GO 4 GURU” informed that to apply for the US visa one should attend the Bio-Metric scan and Interview at the US Consulate in Chennai.

Chennai Daysss.........

Palmgroove Hotel

  

Hyatt Regency

On 11 August 2018 Saturday me and my parents and my little brother went to Chennai airport from Trivandrum airport. It took one hour to reach Chennai. We stayed at a hotel named "Palmgroove" which is actually an ancient hotel referred by a staff of GO 4 GURU. The distance from this hotel to the US Visa Bio-metrics had only walkable distance. For the bio-metric scan we only need some documents which includes passport, appointment letter etc. The US Visa interview would take place at the US Consulate. So we went to a hotel named "Hyatt Regency"which is a 5 star hotel situated near "The Park" hotel and the US Consulate.

On the day in which I had to be present for the interview I felt very tensed and the security of that building told us that they would only allow the applicants to enter inside. So my parents couldn't enter and I went along with my friends. In front of that building had a long queue with people appointed at different times. Then we waited in the queue and entered. Inside it had different counter like things which had different numbers and one American sat at each of these to ask questions individually. Next it was my turn and as I went the American who sat there asked me some questions which were in my questionnaire given by the GO 4 GURU. I answered all the questions and at last she told me that my visa is approved. I felt so happy when she told that. The interview only lasted up few minutes. Then I understood there was nothing to get tensed and if one have the confidence to answer, they could get the visa. The GO 4 GURU guide informed us that we will get our visa after 3 days.

Waiting Eagerly for the Dream to Come True. 

After getting the 10 years validity  US Visa ,it was informed by the tour coordinator Mr.Kayampoo Ramalingam that we would go to USA on 26th august 2018. I was so happy that I had been counting the days for the NASA trip and unexpectedly a sad news flashed into my fathers mobile that due the flood disaster in Kerala the Kochi airport will remain closed until 26th August. I was very disappointed by hearing this news. The 2018 - Flood Disaster was the greatest disaster that had happened to the God's Own Country - Kerala. Then later it was informed that we would go to USA on 13th September. Then I again started counting the days.

Traveling to My Dream Place

On September 13th night Thursday  me ,my parents ,grandparents and my little naughty brother went to Kochi airport from Trivandrum airport. It took 45 minutes to reach there.It was a wonderful memory for my grand parents as they were traveling by aeroplane for the first time in their whole life. At 11.45 pm everyone from different schools came. There were students from other two schools who were all studying at 9th,11th and 12th grade.The students from my school were the youngest as we were studying at 8th ,7th and 6th. When it was time to check in  I hugged  and kissed my parents, grandparents and my little lovely brother. I was sad that I couldn't see my parents for one week. As it was 3.35 am, Qatar airways plane landed and we boarded inside. This flight would go to Doha and will take 4.30 hrs to land. I felt very comfortable inside the flight. The Doha airport was very amazing. After waiting some time the next plane came and we all boarded inside. This Flight  had gone directly  to Miami. It was  bigger than the previous one. I felt very happy and thought that I have to travel about 15 hrs. The service inside the flight was very good there was no need to carry snacks in our hand bag. Whatever we needed would be provided from the flight. On 14th September Friday 4.30 pm US time we reached Miami. At last !!!my dream came true and finally reached my dream place USA. Miami airport was so big and wonderful.Then I inserted my US sim to my mobile and informed my parents that I landed in US. Then an A/C bus came and took us to Orlando. The bus was very comfortable and lavish. It took 4 hrs of travelling to reach the destination.When we reached there we stayed at a hotel named "Holiday Inn" which was a big and nice hotel. All the rooms were kept clean and the room service was good.

Disney World - The Dream Place For Kids

Disney World

On the first day in USA we visited “Disney World”, the place which every child would dream to go. It was also my dream to go there and at last I accomplished it. From my childhood onwards I have read many books of Disney princesses and had dreamt of going there. Disney World was magnificent. When we first entered there we saw an amazing dance and enjoyed different rides. By the afternoon at 2:00 pm we gathered to see the parade. In the parade we could see all the Disney characters. At the evening we went to see the fireworks which was mind-blowing and beautiful. While showing the fireworks they will put the songs of different Disney film and would also display the video on the castle, After watching this we went back to the hotel.

Shopping time!!! - Walmart and Dollar Tree

On the second day we went shopping. As a part of this we went to Walmart and dollar tree. First we went to dollar tree which is a shop in which we can buy items for one dollar. We spent two hours there, and then we went to have lunch. Later we went to Walmart and spent 4 hours there. Walmart was very huge and big. While shopping, we all went individually and shopped, After shopping came back to hotel.

NASA - Educational Camp

We had spent three days at NASA Kennedy Space Centre. In my opinion it was a wonderful experience and I loved this trip so much. I loved each day because each had its own specialty.

1st Day: On the first day we had attended the classroom and studied about programming a robot. Later we went to the IMAX theater to see IMAX film which was all about space, rockets and it also informed us how the astronaut lived in space. It was a very beneficial film. Then we came back to the classroom and had our lunch. Later we went to take an Identity Card which had validity up to one year. Next was our golden time, an opportunity to interact with the Great Astronaut Winston E Scott who was the mission specialist on STS 72 in 1996 and STS 87 in 1997 logged a total of 24 days 14 hours and 34 minutes in space, including three space walks totaling 19 hours and 26 minutes. He was one of the space traveling Companion of Kalpana Chawla in STS 87. I was so proud that I am an Indian when he spoke about our Great Indian Astronaut “Kalpana Chawla”. It was a golden memory for me.

Me with Mr.Winston E Scott

2nd day: Today was a special day for me as it was my birthday, and I am turning 13. On the second day again we went to the classroom and our NASA instructor marked down all the teams mark as the part of the programming competition that had been conducted. In the same way we again did some programming and went to the IMAX theater to watch film. On different days we have different films related to space. Later it was time to have lunch with a great person Winston E Scott. I think I am very lucky to have lunch with an astronaut on my 13th birthday. After lunch, we went around NASA and took photos and also we enjoyed different rides which actually gave the feeling like we are traveling in space. Later, way back to hotel. As today was my Birthday my friends arranged a surprise birthday party for me and to make it more surprising a gift was being sent by my parents. It was a memorable day.

Birthday Party

3rd day: On the third day we did the same activities, and we studied more about programming and some competitions were held. After the lunch our instructor gave each of us a certificate and we went to the gift shop to get autograph from the astronaut. Then we went back to hotel.

MIAMI Here We Come...... 

Today is my last day in US and on the morning all of us checked out of the hotel, and we were traveling back to Miami. Later we reached Miami and went to Miami university. It amaze, the whole university was neat. After seeing the university we ate lunch and then decided to go to Miami beach. The beach was so beautiful and the water was so clear that it seems to be pure. There are no words to describe it. Then we went to the airport and checked in and later when the aeroplane landed we boarded inside. It was the same plane in which we came to Miami. Then we left the beautiful place America. After some time we reached Doha and did the same. At last, we reached our homeland INDIA. All of our parents welcomed us back together finally, I was so happy to see my parents and it was a memorable moment.

Conclusion

This trip gave me an extraordinary experience and some unforgettable and memorable moments. When I first visited to NASA I had only the aim to just study about space and rockets. But when I came back I got an excellent aim to be an astronaut. I got many positive things from this trip and during the tour unexpectedly I got matured and learned how to manage things even in the hard situations. The main thing that every parent and kids should know is if one have the courage to live in any kind of hard situations then they could survive in this world.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE TO PARENTS: If you are leaving your ward  for any foreign trips or USA trip you should ensure that there is a school staff accompanying in this trip.

Then for the last and Final time I thank Mr. Kayamboo Ramalingam ,GO 4 GURU for being such a good guide and helping us throughout the trip.I also thank my school for providing me this opportunity and a lot of thanks to my friends,near and dears . The last but not the least I have no words to thank my lovable parents.............😍😍😍