There's a lot to think about.

Hi :)

Since I was accepted into AFS-Italy it is now time for me to pay my full tuition. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and considering different forms of fundraising. I came to the conclusion that it would be beneficial for me to contact small business and organizations in my area who I have built relationships with. Recently I worked on a fundraiser to raise money for my school, and I learned a really valuable lesson: The small donations add up quickly. I always told myself that they would, but after working with the fundraiser I have first hand evidence of this.

Tuition isn't the only thing that I've been thinking about since being accepted. I'm getting more excited everyday as I learn more about Italy, AFS, and my upcoming adventure. I attended an AFS function last week and was fortunate enough to meet a boy from Italy who is studying here in Maine through AFS. After talking to him, I have a better understanding of the differences in similarities between life in Italy and here in the United States. My life is going to change a lot, but I couldn't be happier.

When I tell people that I plan to study in Italy next year, I am often asked what part of Italy will you be in? This is great question, but at this point AFS-Italy is in the process of looking for a family for me which means I have no idea where I will be. People then often ask me where I'd like to be. That question is not easily answered. Any where that I am able to go would work for me. All parts of Italy are equally beautiful and have their own specialties and ways of life. All that I hope is that the place where I end up will be willing to share itself with me. As long as I get to experience new things, which I'm sure I will, I'll be happy.


That's all for now. I encourage you to read my past blog entries, especially my first one, which provides an introduction to me and my blog's purpose. You can navigate through past entries by clicking to your right on the archives.

I hope you have a wonderful day, and thanks for checking out my blog!
~Annie

Thank You.

Hi Everybody.

So today I was sitting down to write a thank you letter to the AFS Global Leaders Scholarship Program and I was thinking that they are definitely not the only people who I should be extending my most sincere thanks to. Since I decided that I want to study abroad all the people around me have been nothing but supportive. My application process wasn't the smoothest sailing journey I've ever been on, and I don't believe that I would've gotten through it without some key people. I'd like to start by thanking my mom and my dad who completed and signed numerous forms and continue to listen to me as I voice my concerns and excitements about my upcoming trip. Someone else who has gone far past the line of duty to help me is Stacy Coleman. As my AFS Advisor she answered all my questions about my application, and believe me, I had quite a few! She is the person who called me when I got my scholarship, was accepted by AFS-USA, and then by AFS-Italy. She done so much to make the process of applying to AFS easier for me and my family. Roni Strout has also played a role in my AFS experience thus far. She conducted my in-home interview for the program and answered many questions of mine about what studying abroad is really like. AFS and their knowledgeable staff and volunteers have made my experience great already, and I haven't even departed yet! I just wanted to say thank you to them. I also must remember to thank my friends and other supporters. If I've had more than one conversation with you in my life I'm sure that you've heard me talk incessantly about Italy. Thank you to everyone for your continued patience and support as I take steps to make my dreams come true.

As always, any monetary support is appreciated and a contribution of any size will impact me and my trip!

I hope you all have a wonderful day,
~Annie

Acceptance :)

Hi Everyone!
Today Maine had its first big snow storm of the year and my school was canceled for the day. For that reason I thought it would be a great time for me to update you on my AFS experience's progress.

Recently I was accepted into the AFS-USA Fall 2010 program! My application has now been sent over to Italy for review by AFS-Italy. I should find out for certain if I got into the Italian program by the end of December or early January.

I also got a seasonal job and plan to put my entire paycheck towards my AFS experience! I can now make payments on my tuition, but I am still a little short of my fundraising goal.

I began learning the Italian language this week. I now attending a new high school, where they offer Rosetta Stone to all interested students. Even though I am using Rosetta Stone for Italian, I am still enrolled in both French and Spanish classes. So far, so good with Italian, my previous French and Spanish studies are definitely helping me out.

One other thing that I was thinking about this week was why I want to go to Italy. It is my dream for intercultural peace to be prevalent throughout the entire world. So why did I choose Italy, a place that has little tension with the United States, when I could've chosen a place where there is very obvious tension? Well, I feel as though it is important to preserve the peace between the United States and the countries whom we really get along well with. It seems as though if we deepen our friendships with these countries, then intercultural peace will be easier to achieve in the future.

Overall, life has been treating me pretty well lately. I would like to thank you for reading my blog, and for any donations that you may make. Please remember that a donation of any size will really help me make my dreams come true. This holiday season I am not asking for any objects as Christmas presents, but rather money for my tuition, visa, and other costs that will arise as a journey overseas next fall.

Have a great day!
Annie :)

P.S. If this is the first time that you've checked out my blog, please feel free to click on the archives on the left of your screen. If you look in the October folder you'll see the introduction to my blog and an explanation on what its all about.

November 7, 2009 Update

Hi Everyone!

A few days ago I submitted my full application to AFS! I am very excited but nervous at the same time. I also recently completed my in-home interview. It was so great to hear about the AFS experiences of my interviewer's family.

An update about what has been going on in my life:
The cross country season ended with the state meet today! I did not run as I am not one of the top seven runners on my team, but I traveled with the team to cheer them on. Now I have a few weeks to relax and focus on raising money for my tuition before indoor track starts on the 30th of this month.
I am so excited for indoor track to begin because that means that it is the start of my pole vaulting season. Pole vaulting is a passion of mine and it is going to be wonderful to begin training with my coach and teammates again.
The end of the quarter also just passed at my school. Grades closed yesterday and it is looking as though I have made honor roll with all my grades being above 85%! I have worked diligently all quarter to make honor roll and I am overjoyed that I have accomplished by goal.
Fundraising wise I have been trying to save all the money that I earn. The job that I had over the summer has now come completely to a close so I am looking for work and will hopefully find a job again soon. I would like to thank again the AFS Global Leaders Scholarship Committee for awarding me $750 in a merit scholarship to go towards my tuition. That contribution definitely made a huge impact on my money saving efforts.
With that, I will say goodbye for now. If you are reading this then I want to thank you. It means so much to me that you are taking the time to read my blog and I hope that you will continue to check back for updates about my AFS experience!

Have a Great Day,
Annie :)

PS: If you're a new reader of my blog then feel free to click on the October archive on the right side of the page. There you will find the introduction to my blog entitled "Every Great Reality Starts With a Great Dream."

Every Great Reality Starts with a Great Dream

Hello Everyone! Thanks for taking the time to look at my blog.

My name is Annie Laughton. I am sixteen years old and a sophomore at Scarborough High School in Maine. My whole life I have really enjoyed getting to know new people and learning about their different cultures. When I was in the sixth grade I thought that it would be really cool if I were to go on a foreign exchange program when I got older. Although I didn't always focus on that one goal in particular, once I got to high school I knew it was what I wanted to do. Now that I have set my focus I have decided to travel to Italy because the Italian culture seems as though it would be fitting for my personality.

I spend a majority of my time volunteering and am a member of the Key Club at my high school. When I'm not helping out as a volunteer you'll find me diligently training with my cross country, track, or pole vaulting teams. I like to be a person who is always busy because I don't want to miss any of the wonderful things life has to offer. The way I see it, going Italy would be one of the completely wonderful things that I dream of doing in my lifetime.

The AFS mission states that:

"AFS-USA works toward a more just and peaceful world by providing international
and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and
communities through a global volunteer partnership."

I feel that I would fit into this perfectly. One thing that I aspire to do in my life is be trilingual. To me, the United States would be better off when it comes to intercultural peace if more students were given the opportunity to learn a second language at a younger age. If I am able to learn two more languages fluently then I in turn be better able to communicate with people in other cultures which would help me have a stronger partnership with them. Through a year long stay in Italy I will be one step closer to accomplishing this goal.

So far the only barrier that I have had to break down was my friends and family. At first only a few of the people closest to me thought that a foreign exchange would be a positive experience. It wasn't that they had heard anything bad about other's experiences, it's just that they weren't educated on the subject. I solved this problem by simply talking. I told my loved ones how much going to another country means to me and how it will set me up for so many great opportunities in the future when I know more about how other cultures operate.

This past summer I worked all ten days. I don't want to be dependent on just my family to pay for my experiences because they are mainly going to be benefiting me. It makes me feel good to know that I will at least be able to pay a portion of my tuition. I also applied for a Global Leaders Merit Scholarship and received some money. It is my goal to raise $3,000 more on my own. People who know me know that I set my goals high and push myself to achieve them. The way I view my fundraising is this: Any little bit will help me ensure that this is one dream that will become a reality.

Remember to check back each week for an update on how on my AFS experience!

Peace, Annie :)