Exploring the world is not an opportunity that a girl from Romney, WV gets everyday. I know that there is so much more outside of the small boundaries of Hampshire County, and I want to see it! It would be a great privilege and honor to participate in the Hampshire High School Foreign Exchange Program on the Kaitlyn Dante Memoriam Scholarship. It is hard for me to even find words to try to describe her, and how she has touched everyone’s life that knew her. Kaitlyn is one of a kind. I think that through this experience, I could gain very much knowledge of other cultures, and understand different cultures and languages better. Also, it would be interesting and a challenge to communicate and live with a host family of another country, language, culture, and possibly religion for a few weeks.

        I have always had an interest in other cultures and countries, other than America, and I’ve always wanted to travel and explore them. I think it is very important for a person to know and understand that there is more out there. I know that there is more out there and I want to go there! J I want to go to Italy and Germany and wherever  that “out there” may be. Of course the Exchange program is not a vacation, and that is the best part! If I am accepted, I will be constantly learning so much and be exposed to a whole new way of living. What’s life like across that big ol’ ocean?? What do they do everyday? What do they eat? How do they communicate? What do they use for transportation? Are the kids over there just like us? What do the people over there do for fun? How do they dance? Do they like to dance at all? What’s the weather like?

Do they like the same kind of music we do? What is their religion? Do Europeans Women really not shave their armpits??? J All of these questions and so many more are ones that I wish to soon have answers to. It would be so neat to see Cinderella’s famous “fairy tale castle”! There is so much more to see and touch and feel and smell and explore.

       I think it would be so much fun to host an exchange student. We could definitely learn from each other, and I think that it would be a really great experience for both of us! It may be difficult to communicate at times, but I will try my best to show them American life and answer all of her questions. If she’s as curious as I am, then gosh help me! Lol. I think that I could also gain knowledge and a better understanding of another culture by hosting an exchange student. They could teach me about their lifestyle and culture, and hopefully answer many of my questions. I want to do the same for them and make their stay as comfortable, enjoyable, and full of learning about American culture as possible.

     Kaitlyn could light up a room and brighten anyone’s day. Her smile was contagious. She was an excellent leader, and a friend to everyone. I admire her very much. Whatever I say just doesn’t seem to be enough. Words can truly not describe her, or what she means to us all. It is my hope to participate in the HHS Foreign Exchange Program on the Kaitlyn Dante Memoriam Scholarship because it would truly be a great honor and I want to see the world, and this may be my only chance to fulfill that dream. This is an opportunity of a lifetime.