Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!!  I know it has been forever since I last posted something but I have been very busy.  December is one of the busiest months for me.  A group of Japanese exchange students are here for the winter break so I have been spending a lot of time with them.  Not much fundraising news.  I will work more on fundraising the start of this next year.  Still working on scholarships though.

Until next time,

Jesse

Scholarships and tuition updates

I broke my weekly update streak, but with reasonable cause.  These past few weeks have been terribly busy and I have been experienceing some major computer troubles.  Thankfully everything is fixed and back to normal (as normal as things get in December).  I recieved an email from AFS saying that they will look at my application in January!  Also, the tuition for the summer program should be updated any day now along with the Global Leaders scholarship which I am very excited about.  Apart from that I have just been continueing to fundraise and work on scholarships.  I am hopeing to have another BBQ in a few weeks, but we'll see how that goes.

Jesse

Newspaper Article

Everyone,

I was in the newspaper this last Friday!  I'll make sure to upload the article in a couple days.  Hopefully that will help get some sponsors! 
I found a new website to help me get scholarships and so far things are going pretty good.  Nothing much other than that this week.  Hope everybody had a nice Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Jesse

Media Coverage

AFS sent an email saying they got my application, but they won't review it until January.  I am glad they recieved it but also a little bummed that they won't be looking at it until January.  I had an on-the-phone interview today with the local newspaper!  I also plan on contacting the local fairgrounds today which I have been putting off for some unknown reason.  I am also still working on scholarships.

Happy Thanksgiving (if anybody actually ever reads this)!

Jesse

Making Progress

I have been very busy this week.  I made some phone calls and crossed a couple fundraising ideas off the list.  Unfortunately, some of them didn't work out.  The local newspaper is willing to write an article about my experience to try and get sponsors!!!  I am also contacting the local fairgrounds to try and do a mega clean up (taken from the AFS Fundraising website).  Yesterday I held signs for a Garden Club sale in which I got a nice donation and this next weekend I am doing another BBQ!  Other than that I've just been continuing to work on essays.  So I've been pretty busy.

Until next time,

Jesse
 

Finally Uploaded!!!

Since my last post my computer broke...  So I've been using my moms and siblings.  Anyway, I am finally uploading the full application today!!!  I am so excited!  Scholarships are coming well; they seem like the only way I'll be able to go.  Hopefully I'll get some...

I don't know if anybody reads this but thats all for this update!

Another update

Many things have happened since my last update.  The BBQ was very successful, in fact, it went so well I am going to be doing another one in December!  I have also started working on scholarships since my last post.  Lastly, the AFS papers are almost all done and uploaded.  Hopefully everything will be uploaded by tomorrow.

That's all for now!

Interview!

Hey everyone,

I'm going to try to update this blog about every week, we'll see how well that goes!  Anyway, a week ago I had my AFS interview.  It went pretty good and I met some great people!  I am now finishing filling out the full application, which I hope to have all uploaded by the end of the week.  Other than that I am just fundraising like crazy!  This Saturday I am having a BBQ, I'll let you know how it goes!

Check back next week for another update,

Jesse

First Steps

Hey Everyone!
For those of you who don't know me, my name is Jesse and I am planning to go to Japan next summer as a foreign exchange student!  AFS is the organization that I will be going through, but before I get too far ahead of myself let me tell you a little bit about me, why I want to go to Japan, and how AFS will get me there.  I am in high school, currently home schooled (which is awesome!) and for the past couple of years I have been deeply interested in Asia, but Japan more specifically.  I am intrigued by the language, culture, and the people.  I began teaching myself Japanese a couple years ago and my interest has not been waned, in fact, it has grown tremendously as I learn more about Japan everyday.  When I become more fluent in the language I would like to become a Japanese translator!  To really get a firm grasp on the language, however, it would be helpful to go to Japan and become completely immersed in the language and culture.  This is where AFS comes in.  AFS is a foreign exchange program that sends nearly 13,000 students abroad every year!  After hours and hours of research and looking at different programs I came to the conclusion that AFS is the best fit for me.  So far, I have filled out the preliminary application and I'm currently working on the full application.  The reason why I do not say I WILL be going to Japan next summer is money.  I am fundraising like crazy but the tuition is steep.  I am saving every little penny.  The tuition for the Summer Language Program that I would like to go with is around $9,000!!!  It may seem hopeless but you can help!   If you would like to help sponsor me, you can click the ChipIn button on the AFS widget and your donation will be sent to my account!  Anything that you can donate will be greatly appreciated.  No amount is too small, every little bit helps, but please do not feel obligated to give. One of the best ways to help me is to pray for me throughout this process.  Thanks for reading my blog!  I will make sure to keep this up to date throughout my journey!
Until next time,
Jesse