4. Why have you chosen to become an AFSer in high school, instead of waiting to study abroad when you're older?
I'm really interested in Japan right now, and I don't know if that will change, but I have the opportunity to go, so why not? I think it'll also be easier for me to learn the language when I'm younger, as opposed to waiting a few years.
5. What do your family and friends think about your decision to become an AFSer?
I don't entirely know. Any friends/family reading this, tell me what you think! My parents and my brother are all excited for me, but I know they'll miss me, too (even though my brother claims otherwise). My friends are excited, too. Everyone wants to see pictures when I go, so I'd better take a camera.
~Kay
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Question #3
3. What barriers or challenges have you overcome in order to become an AFSer?
Hm. Well. I can't get re-contract this stomach condition I have within a year of when I go or they won't let me go. We had issues filling out the application forms in the first place, because of the condition (abdominal migraines, something most people have never heard of). And according to my advisor, I have to cut the blue out of my hair before I go(it's just the tips, but I still have to do it). I'm not even entirely sure why. But whatever. I also had to fill out all of the forms two times because I first applied in May but all the forms have to be filled out within a year of going away. So that was tedious. But that's about it!
~Kay
Hm. Well. I can't get re-contract this stomach condition I have within a year of when I go or they won't let me go. We had issues filling out the application forms in the first place, because of the condition (abdominal migraines, something most people have never heard of). And according to my advisor, I have to cut the blue out of my hair before I go(it's just the tips, but I still have to do it). I'm not even entirely sure why. But whatever. I also had to fill out all of the forms two times because I first applied in May but all the forms have to be filled out within a year of going away. So that was tedious. But that's about it!
~Kay
Pictures of Places I'd Like to See....
This is the Fushimi-Inari Shrine, dedicated to Inari. He's supposed to be the kami, kind of like a spirit, who watches over and protects the rice harvest, among other things. Foxes (kitsune) are supposed to be his messen
gers, so that's why there are statues of them all around the grounds, such as the ones at the left. The path to the far left is made of torii, gates that are placed at the entrance to shrines as well as in other places to signify the sacred nature of the place, such as the Miyajima Torii at right. The pictures below are of the shrine at Ise, dedicated to Amaterasu, the Shinto goddess of the sun and ancestor of the imperial family, and Mt. Fuji, with the cherry blossoms in bloom. 
Isn't it beautiful? ~Kay
gers, so that's why there are statues of them all around the grounds, such as the ones at the left. The path to the far left is made of torii, gates that are placed at the entrance to shrines as well as in other places to signify the sacred nature of the place, such as the Miyajima Torii at right. The pictures below are of the shrine at Ise, dedicated to Amaterasu, the Shinto goddess of the sun and ancestor of the imperial family, and Mt. Fuji, with the cherry blossoms in bloom. Isn't it beautiful? ~KayQuestion #2
2. What are your hopes/fears?
Well, the obvious is that I hope I don't make TOO many stupid mistakes while I'm there, learning Japanese. I make stupid mistakes speaking English, and that's the only language I'm fluent in, so there's little hope for a perfect record (haha... for any of my friends reading this, you'll understand when I say "crayons"). I'm worried about getting enough money for the trip, going away on my own for such a long time, and not being able to make any friends- you know, the silly little things that nag at you... I hope I get to see a great number of things in Japan, and maybe go into Tokyo once or twice (I probably won't be staying in the city since it's so crowded and few people have room for an extra person). I'd also like to see Mt. Fuji, the Fushimi- Inari Shrine, and the shrine at Ise (I'll make my next post internet pictures of them). And I hope if I go to school and get a uniform, I'll get to keep it. ^-^
I guess that's all I can think of right now, but if I think of any more I'll add them!
~Kay
Well, the obvious is that I hope I don't make TOO many stupid mistakes while I'm there, learning Japanese. I make stupid mistakes speaking English, and that's the only language I'm fluent in, so there's little hope for a perfect record (haha... for any of my friends reading this, you'll understand when I say "crayons"). I'm worried about getting enough money for the trip, going away on my own for such a long time, and not being able to make any friends- you know, the silly little things that nag at you... I hope I get to see a great number of things in Japan, and maybe go into Tokyo once or twice (I probably won't be staying in the city since it's so crowded and few people have room for an extra person). I'd also like to see Mt. Fuji, the Fushimi- Inari Shrine, and the shrine at Ise (I'll make my next post internet pictures of them). And I hope if I go to school and get a uniform, I'll get to keep it. ^-^
I guess that's all I can think of right now, but if I think of any more I'll add them!
~Kay
Question #1
Okay, just a refresher note: as part of my scholarship I have to answer some questions (a.k.a. talk about these topics the AFS people gave me). So here's the first one. Also, if anyone else has any questions, go ahead and ask them, and I'll answer the best I can.
1. What are you thinking about as you prepare to study abroad?
1. What are you thinking about as you prepare to study abroad?
Well, the biggest thing I'm wondering about is who my host family is going to be. AFS USA doesn't send anyone's applications over to AFS Japan until February, so I'm not going to find out until late February/early March. It's normal wondering- what will they be like, how many people will be in the family, will there be anyone my age, will they have any pets, and whatnot. I'm also thinking about how much this trip costs, because I've been doing tons of fundraising- writing letters to the Rotary Club and Junior Women's Club in my town, as well as other people we know (though I'm not sending those ones out yet). I guess I also think about what I'm going to do there- am I going to go to school (I'm not exactly clear on that; I believe I am, though), will I go on trips (I made friends with a year-long AFS exchange student from Japan named Moena, and she would go to New York, into the city, with other AFSers all the time. That might be different because of the time I'm there, though). I'd like to see and experience as much of Japan as possible before I go.
~Kay
The Countdown Begins
On New Year's Day I realized, "Holy cow, my trip is THIS YEAR!!!" So I figured I'd better actually start posting the answers to the questions I have to answer. I'm starting to get really excited, because, I mean, I'm leaving in JUNE. I might even be missing the end of school, depending on how many snow days we have. Gah....
~Kay
~Kay
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