There are quite a few reasons that I would like to go on the Exchange VIII trip in 2006.  First, I have always been interested in traveling to other parts of the world and this trip to Italy could be one of my few chances to do just that.  The customs of other countries have always been interesting to me and I’d enjoy the opportunity to learn about some of the Italian customs.  While I am there, if I’m chosen that is, I could explain American customs and some of the different lifestyles. 

After finishing school, high school and college, I’d like to travel around the world some more.  This exchange trip could make it easier for me to make this future really happen. It may even help me to understand the planning process and then embark on the trip. 

I play soccer and run track at HHS, play on the recreational league here, and played on an indoor team in Rawlings, Maryland with some of my Hampshire teammates. Hurdles are my favorite event to participate in and it’s also the best I am at.  I am now a U12 coach but unfortunately do not have a team to work with so I’m going to just have to help friends out.  Sports are definitely a big part of my life but so is school.  During school I do my best to keep my grades up and to excel in sports.  Even though a lot of my spare time is taken up by sports I manage to do my homework and do it to the best of my ability.  This year I decided not to participate in track in order to keep my grades up.  If I would have ran I would have most likely seen my grades drop in my 4th block class, I couldn’t stand for that so I made a sacrifice and kept the classes.

My home life is much like most others.  I live with my two parents, sister Carolyn, and numerous pets.  We have three dogs (Lucky, Chip, and Shadow), three birds (they don’t have names), and many cats that just come and go.  Animals don’t bother me one bit unless they have a slight temper problem, then I kind of get a little freaked out.  While sitting around the house I like to play videogames, get on the internet, play my guitar, and listen to music.  I started to learn the guitar at the beginning of the school year, in the guitar class obviously.  I like going around and just finding random things to do with friends, whether it is safe or not but it is usually safe.

I will normally eat anything that is put in front of me as long as it looks good.  I love to try new foods from practically everywhere.  The only way I will not try to eat something is if I’m sick or it looks like it could still jump off of my plate and eat me instead.  Living here in Hampshire County doesn’t really offer chances to experience real food brought in from other countries so I can’t really say I’ve had real Italian, Chinese, or any other kind of foreign foods.

I really hope I can join my fellow classmates and teachers on this trip.  It could be a life changing opportunity for me and a new way for me to expand my views on the rest of the world.  This is me and some of the reasons I would like to participate in the Italian Exchange VIII.