Studying Abroad in Japan! High school foreign exchange.

Gabby Arvizu Start Date: Mar 21, 2016 - End Date: Mar 20, 2017
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad

My Travel Story

by: Gabby Arvizu Start Date: Mar 21, 2016 - End Date: Mar 20, 2017
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
 Hello guys! My name is Gabrielle Arvizu, and I hope to raise money for a Japanese student exchange program. I am from Missouri, USA, wher I live in a small rural town. I am 15, but when I go on exchange, I will be 16 years old. For a couple years now, I have been in love with Japanese culture, architechture, and language. It has become my dream to experience that firsthand. The expenses include airfare, application fees, and the cost of the stay with my host family. My parents have finally said yes to me going, but I want to raise all of the money myself. Since I am 15, there are not many job opportunities that will raise the money in time.

This trip is very important to me. You see, I have decided that when I grow up, I want to become a cardiovascular surgeon. Japan is one of the foremost countries when it comes to advancements made in technology and the biomedical sciences. On top of all this, Japan has one of the richest cultures of just about anywhere, and is on of the safest countries in the world.

As far as Japanese schooling goes, it is one of the most rigorous available educations in the world. The students are expected to study for most of the day, and stay very late after school for their clubs. Grades are very important to Japanese students, but that being said, my grades have always been very important to me, as well. In fact, last year (freshman year) I maintained a 4.7 gpa for half of the year, which I was very proud of.

I can almost speak Japanese fluently. However, I am still not very good at Kanji. However, I am told that the people of Japan rarely use Kanji anymore anyway. I am pretty good at Hiragana and Katakana, and I can definitely understand Romanji. I have been studying Japanese for a year now, and I find it is very easy to speak.

I want to go to Japan to gain a completely new perspective, and because I think it will be a fulfilling, educational, and life-changing experience! I hope you can help me achieve my dream of studying abroad.