My name is Sophia and for the summer of 2010 I will be on an AFS summer exchange program to Japan. While in Japan, I will be attending classes at a language school to learn more about Japanese and I just can't wait! There is something about languages that I just love and this is huge opportunity for me to really learn more about them. So, of course, I hope to bring away from this experience a new understanding of a language, but that's not my only reason for going. I also love the food, nature, and culture of Japan so much. This will be my chance to learn so much more about all of those things along with the chance to meet many new people and really learn more about the world.
My family has been very supportive of my decision to become an exchange student. When my principal first gave me the idea to do an exchange program, I was doubtful that I would be allowed to go, but to my surprise my parents were okay with the idea. I am so grateful to them for supporting me. And as for my friends, one of them is also applying for this program! We are both extremely interested in Japan and we're both looking forward to the experience of being exchange students. We even have random conversations in school where we speak in Japanese to practice and it is a lot of fun!
