Going to Italy has always been a dream of mine.  This particular country has always fascinated me beyond words.  All the pictures that I’ve seen of Italy and all the movies are not enough for me.  I want to experience the trip.  I want to be able to learn all that I can about my ethnicity by traveling throughout Italy.  Learning about Italy is just one of my goals; my other goal is to make new friends and to catch a glimpse of how other people live.  I am also learning how to speak Italian and would love to hear the language be spoken properly.

            I think this program will benefit me in many ways.  I would be able to gain knowledge of foreign culture and customs through first-hand experience.  If I would be able to attend this trip, I could expand my knowledge and take an adventure.  As a student, this trip could help me be able to learn how to speak Italian semi-fluently.  I would gain an extra language that could help me in the future.  I would also help gain historical information of my heritage. 

            I love Italian food, as I myself am Italian.  I am eager to try new things and go to new places.  However, I have a serious dislike for seafood.  Seafood is probably the only new thing that I will not try. Some of my favorite Italian foods are lasagna and tortellini.  I love photography, so anytime anyone should happen to see me, I will most likely have a camera hanging around my neck.

            My parents are teachers; my mother is a fourth grade teacher and my father is a sixth grade teacher.   We have had three cats and two dogs.  To my knowledge, I am not allergic to any kind of animal fur.  I have three older sisters — so I am used to large families.  I am seventeen years old and in the eleventh grade.  My favorite subject is either History or English.  I love to read.  My favorite book is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  My favorite sports are soccer, volleyball, and basketball.  I used to play soccer a long time ago, but now I just kick the ball around for fun.  I also love music.  I like any type of music except country music. 

I love movies.  Two of my favorite actors are Paul Walker and Orlando Bloom; two of my favorite actresses are Julie Andrews and Lisa Kudrow. My favorite movie is Pirates of the Caribbean.  I am in drama club, and we are making a spring production of Grease.  This is also another one of my favorite movies. 

I hope I get chosen for this trip because I would really love to see the countryside of Italy.  I really love traveling and I think that this would be a great experience for me.