Hello, My name is Nicole, and I am an applicant for the Italian Exchange program for the year of 2006. I will be a Junior during the year of the exchange. Currently, I am an active member in my church as well as youth group, I am the president of FCCLA, I play volleyball for my school along with other sports outside of school, I will be in German IV during our next school year, also I am involved in many other activities, both in and out of school. My interests are volunteering, listening to music, surfing the net, shopping, 4-wheeler riding, camping, swimming, going to the movies, and hanging out with friends and family. I am a very outgoing girl who is up for an adventure. I think that is why I am truly interested in going on this amazing world travel. I have always dreamt of one day being able to travel to another country, and I feel this is a once in a lifetime chance for me. I feel that this trip will help me realize more about our planet as well as other cultures. In this trip I expect to learn about how others live their daily lives, and explore the beautiful sights I may never have the chance to see again. I hope to gain much knowledge on Italy and Germany, as well as each individual I meet there. With this trip in my future, I never again will have to wonder just how the other side looks.

After my sister attended this trip six years ago, I took one glance at her pictures, and knew that is what I had to set my mind on doing when I grew to be older. Well, this is my year to prove to myself that I too can get the opportunity to see such a breath-taking place. If it takes working up until the day we leave and fund-raising until I can’t do anymore, then that is exactly what I will do to be included in this amazing educational trip. Last year, I sold over 150 candy bars for last years exchange students, and that is exactly what I plan to do for this year too. I hope that you feel the same as I do and consider including me into your adventure to Italy.

The reason I wish to travel on the Kaitlyn Dante Memoriam Trip is because Kaitlyn was one individual who I admired most and looked up to everyday. Kaitlyn was, and still is, one of my very best friends, and I feel that going on this trip will help me realize just why she always asked me to go, and why she only said good things about her trip to Italy. Kaitlyn was one who most inspired me to go on this exchange, and it will give me great honor to travel as one of the participants for her memoriam scholarship travel. Hopefully, you feel the same as I do about this.

In concluding my reasoning for wanting to be one of the lucky travelers for this exchange, only one thing comes to mind, the quote from Walt Disney, "All our dreams can come true -if we have the courage to pursue them." To me, this explains how I feel about going on the Italian exchange trip. It is my dream to go to Italy, and I hope it will come true in the year of 2006.