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Hi my name is Audrey Yazell and I started this blog as a part of my AFS Japan experience. I have been accepted to be an AFS foreign exchange student for seven weeks this summer. I am so excited about this opportunity to learn and grow culturally. This will be my second time traveling outside of the United States. Last summer I went to Spain and Morocco for eleven days with my Spanish class and it was a wonderful experience.
I found out about AFS from my Spanish teacher and a family friend, and I have known several other AFS students that have come to the small town where I live in Missouri from around the world. I immediately found all the information I could and submitted my preliminary application. After sifting through my options, I narrowed my top three countries to Australia, Italy, and Japan. I am thrilled to be able to spend almost two months in Japan.
There are so many things I hope to gain this summer. When i went to Spain, it was amazing to be immersed in the unfamiliar. The way people interact, the food, and the transportation were just a few things that were different from what I was used to. I experienced so much in just eleven days; I cannot even imagine what seven weeks will bring. I am an open minded person and I plan to eat all the Japanese dishes that might seem unusual to me. I hope to embrace the incredible culture and do my best picking up Japanese. I am currently trying to do as much reading as I can, because I want to arrive in Japan knowing at least a little background and some phrases.
My friends and family have been incredible in helping me prepare for this trip. My best friend, Melissa, is sad that I will be missing spending the summer with her but has been very supportive. My parents have done so much-- I would definitely not be going on this trip if it weren't for them. My mom spent hours helping me uploading the application and mentally prepare for the experience I will have. My community has also embraced this experience in a way that I never imagined possible. I have received so many donations and kind letters and people offering to share their travel experiences with me. As far as fundraising goes, we've done a lot of work. I have been given many generous gifts and am so thankful for that. We are also having a pancake breakfast at my church on April 18 to raise money. Many of my teachers and businesses in my town have been gracious enough to hang up posters and endorse it by word of mouth. I couldn't ask for a better support system.
In conclusion, I will be updating this blog occasionally as I continue to prepare for my trip and daily or weekly once I am in Japan. I want to thank my friends, family, and the AFS Global Scholarships for helping to make this trip possible.
Audrey Yazell :)
