Hello, friends! My name is Ayami, and I am so excited to travel with your class!
I was born in Washington State. When I was a baby, my family moved to Japan. I lived there until I was eight years old. In Japan, I was bilingual. Bilingual means you can speak two languages. I spoke English and Japanese! Learning languages is one of my favorite things. Every new language helps me talk with more people.
I also love roller skating, swimming, and watching the sunset at the beach. I take photos and make videos to save my travel memories.
One of my favorite memories is from Indonesia, a country in Asia. I visited a small island called Gili T. The water was bright blue, and the sand was white. Horses walked along the beach! I saw a sign for free surf lessons. I had never surfed before, and I was scared. But I asked the teacher to help me, and I caught my first wave! I stood up on my board and saw the island from the water. That day, I learned that trying something new, even when it feels scary, can lead to amazing adventures. That is one reason I love to travel.
This fall, I am going to study in Ghana, a country in West Africa. I want to learn about Ghana's history, try new dances, and learn to play the drums. Have you heard the saying "It takes a village"? It means many people work together to help each other grow. In Ghana, I want to learn how people in my new community help one another. Then I will share what I learn with you!
What do you think I will see in Ghana? I can't wait to find out together!
Want to know more about how you can study or intern abroad when you are a college student? The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the scholarship by visiting www.gilmanscholarship.org.
