I'm going with a program called AFS (American Field Service) which sends high schoolers all around the world to stay in another country for a year to be immersed in its culture. With AFS, I will stay with a host family, and go to a school near where they live. I chose AFS because I think I'll be able to have a fuller cultural experience in Switzerland if I stay with a host family than if I were to just visit. I am now waiting for a host family placement, so I'm not exactly sure where in Switzerland I will be living yet.
I was initially inspired to study abroad by my mom who was an AFS exchange student in New Zealand for a year when she was in high school and had one of the greatest years of her life, so hopefully I will too! I ultimately decided to go abroad because I've never been out of the country before, and I feel that I have a deep-rooted desire to experience another part of the world. I've also always thought that it's kind of pointless to go on a vacation if it's just for a week because there's not enough time to learn anything about the culture. I've always wanted to learn to speak another language fluently. Hopefully by the time I've come back to the US next year, I will have done all of these things. (I will share my experiences in Switzerland throughout next year on this blog.)
I've started a Sponsor-an-AFSer fundraiser which is an online fundraising tool provided by AFS to allow potential sponsors to make easy, secure, and non tax-deductible contributions to my AFS program fee. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider donating to my trip. Every donation helps! Please share this blog with others who would consider donating to my trip as well, and remember to check my blog throughout the year to see how my trip's going!
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