Journey to Japan

Hello, My name is Matt Christiansen I'm a sophomore at Milton High School, in the town of Alpharetta, Georgia. I have applied and have been working towards going on a year-long trip to Japan in the spring of 2010, through the American Field Service (AFS) student exchange program.

I did this to gain a greater knowledge and respect for the language and traditions of Japan. I also want to experience the modern life of the people in Japan, and learn everything I can about Japan, because I am greatly interested in so many facets of the country. I believe this will help my understanding of others who live in this world, and gain a greater outlook on life.

I have decided to do this, and leave behind my life in Alpharetta for a year, but I think It will benefit me more than anything else, and will be a life experience I will never forget. I spend my time in Alpharetta doing schoolwork, taking part in school events, and doing my various hobbies at home. Guitar is my favorite activity, and I have been playing for almost 4 years of my life. Family, friends, school, and my interests are all very important to me. Music is a huge part of my life, and I create, and appreciate it in many shapes and forms. I also do other forms of art, such as drawing, and i've looked into different Japanese art forms which i've grown interested in as my general interest in Japan has grown. Im overjoyed at the opportunity to travel to Japan.

This opportunity is very important to me, and I am working hard to make it happen. I sincerely hope I can raise the money to partake in this life changing experience, despite the state of the economy. I may need some help to make this dream a reality. I thank you already for taking the time to read this post, and I hope you take interest in my blog if enough money can be raised. So click the chipin button at the top of the blog screen! Any amount of money would be appreciated so much by me. Something else that would be appreciated very much, would be to send this link: http://matthewafstrip.blogspot.com/. If this could be sent to anybody you think would be interested in helping me achieve my dream, I would be so grateful to any and all people who donate or even take the time to read this blog entry. Thank you very much!!

Matt Christiansen