Introduction Post

I would like to introduce myself, Shamrin Lullo, and welcome you to my experience! I am 16 years old, and I live in the little town of Fernandina Beach, Florida. For the last several years I have steadily grown more and more fascinated with international culture and namely, Japanese culture. I am about to embark upon the journey of a lifetime and what I have worked so arduously for.

For years now I have been absolutely intrigued with the cultures of Asia and especially Japan. This fascination started out with an interest in Japanese pop culture such as anime, manga, Jpop/Jrock, and Japanese live-action dramas/movies. Over the years I have come to learn about not only the pop culture but also the history, language, and traditions of this far-off land. Ever since the 8th grade I have been researching foreign exchange programs in order to find the right one for me. My parents have been completely supportive of this dream to study abroad, and at the beginning of the year I decided to apply with a program called YFU (Youth For Understanding) to go to Japan for six weeks this summer (summer of 2008)! I also applied for three scholarships with hope that I would be able to receive this amazing gift! I was interviewed by an incredible YFU volunteer in March, and this interview made me even more excited and anxious to go abroad! The woman who interviewed me was one of the friendliest women I have ever met, and it was so easy to sit and talk to her! Interviews are usually stressful and worrisome, but my interviewer just made me feel so comfortable and even told me stories of when her daughter went on exchange!

So, after months and months of waiting for a response, I finally received a big, stuffed white envelope from YFU yesterday, May 10. I was overcome with joy when I saw this package and I ripped it open as quickly as I could. Inside was a letter informing me that I had won the Mazda Foundation National Program scholarship! I can not believe that I will be going to Japan for 6 weeks this summer on a full scholarship! The only expenses that I will have to worry about are my passport and spending money for when I am in Japan! Also included in the envelope was: a YFU T-Shirt, a World Traveler Handbook, an American Overseas Parent Handbook, an essay written by a student that previously went to Japan for the summer with YFU, and a Japan fact sheet. I continously keep saying to myself, "This is so surreal! Can I really be going to Japan this summer?! I can't believe it!"

Well, I decided that it would be a good idea to keep a blog of my adventures abroad this summer, and I hope that you all enjoy reading it! Feel free to leave me comments and questions on my blog!