パスポート

Today I went and applied for my passport! I should be getting it in 4-6 weeks.

I also turned in my full application for AFS!
Because it is required to turn in your full application by the 15th (today) if you want to apply for the scholarships. I hope I win! But I wish good luck to everyone else who applied as well!

Study Abroad in Japan

Hello, My name is Safiya Q. and I am a 15 year old high shcool junior living  in southern California. This year I applied for a year study abroad in 2011 to Nihon (Japan) through AFS! I have been in many clubs and sports throughout the years, such as Newspaper, Tennis, Color Guard, and many others! I love to read, draw, and sing (especially in Japanese), and I attend Japanese School every Saturday. I have always loved trying new things and going new places, and ever since 7th grade I have always want to go abroad to Japan to discover more about the country. I have been interested in Japan ever since I was a little girl; I have been studying the language for around 6 years, and I would love to further my proficiency in it and learn more about the culture in Japan.


In Japan I would be able to experience living with a Japanese host family and attending a Japanese High School, and I know that this experience would benefit me so much. I know that I can grow from this, and I want to be able to make lasting memories with all the people I would meet in Japan. And what I would take from this experience, I want to apply it to my future and go on the JET Programme, a program where native English speakers are brought to Japan to teach English in Japanese schools, after college. One of my goals for the future is to one day become a translator, but I would like to discover the many different uses of being bilingual in English and Japanese, and going on this program would give me the chance to do that. 


My goal is to raise $11,500 to cover my full tuition. I am applying for the full scholarship offers, and as soon as I turn 16 in October, I plan to get a part-time job to help me raise money. I am also going to start to sell things online and take up small jobs to help cover the cost. Unfortunately, my family is not affluent, especially in the current economy, so I know that going on this trip is impossible financially unless I do my best to fundraise! So I want to give it my all to make my dreams a reality. To anyone that donates, I am extremely grateful to you! If you can, please share my blog with others to help me! To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button! Thank you very much for taking the time to read this!