Hey everyone! My name's Alina Yaman and I'm a freshman in high school. I'm pretty much always playing soccer, running track, going to school, hanging around with friends, writing, or spending time with family. I'm always up for an adventure and I love trying new things. My parents are from Turkey and Germany and I was born in Canada. I've spent most of my life in America, but I lived in The Netherlands for a couple years when I was in fourth and fifth grade. I learned from my experience there that there are so many different cultures and people to learn about. I've been interested in other cultures ever since.
Last year was when my interests in different countries and people across the globe skyrocketed. Personally, I thought the best way to satisfy this thirst for diversity was to once again expose myself to another country's culture. I have lived in Europe before, but I have never seen the beautiful streets of Spain. I am learning Spanish in school and I've heard nothing but good things about the country, so Spain seemed like the perfect choice. Once I decided I actually wanted to go, the dream became a reality. I learned about AFS (American Field Service), which enables students in High School to study abroad for one year with a different family (host family). I applied to be able to go abroad, and now, a year after my first thoughts about going abroad, AFS USA has officially accepted my application and reserved my spot for studying in Spain. Now, I am just waiting for the final confirmation from AFS Spain, but I am feeling optimistic about their reply. I can only imagine what I will learn and experience there. I do plan on bringing back some of Spain with me, as I have already done with The Netherlands after I lived there. I know for sure it'll be a great experience, but I need your help getting there.
Of course, going to Spain for a year doesn't just come easy. There's money involved, but I don't want my parents paying for everything. I can assure you I'll update this blog regularly once I'm there and I definitely want to show my friends and family more about the culture I'll be living with for a year. I want to broaden my range of thinking and I want to give everyone else a little bit of an insight into what my life will be like. The same way I wish to be independent of my family by going to another country and living with a different family, I wish to raise money on my own so that I don't have to rely solely on my parent's money. After all, I know times are tough for all of us.
I know everyone's a little tight on money. If you could donate any money, it doesn't matter how little or how much, I'd greatly appreciate it. This will be my first step to raising money for my trip abroad. In the future I plan to do as much as I possibly can to raise money. I've already gotten a scholarship from AFS, but if I could raise enough money to cover at least half of my tuition, I would be ecstatic. So, please, if you could help sponsor my year abroad, I'd be extremely thankful and I assure you it will not go to waste. To sponsor my AFS program now, please click the ChipIn button.
