Pardip Kaur Bolina, Bensenyille, Miinois
In today’s world, the opportunities are endless. Unlike the old days, however, one often has to go ‘Out and find opportunities because they don’t always knock anymore. Recently, l just returned from a six ‘week foreign exchange stay in Japan. My name is Pardip Bolina had I am a 16yearold living in Bensenville, 1. 1 became interested in going on a foreign exchange program to Japan through a friend who went for a year. Unable to miss all my college preparatory Classes, I opted for a summer program. 1 looked into several programs but found the costs to be rather high, especially so near my commencement ‘of college. I then turned to my principal, Mr, Alf Logan of Fenton High School, for assistance. He gave mc an application to the Youth for Understanding (YFU) Japan U.S. Senate Youth Exchange Program. This scholarship would pay for everything except my personal spending money and # $300.00 program fee, I was told my chances were slim; only one person from eye cry state would be selected as the recipient of the lordship. However, with the couragement of my parents, y and Surinder Bolina, 1 Gan the application process. Lifter completing two sets of actions, a personal interview, about seven months later, I was notified I was the finalist from state of Miinois. The scholarship also provided a one day stay in Tokyo, which included visits to the U.S. Embassy, Japan’s Dict, Dept. of Foreign affairs, and Dept. of Education, YFU is a private, nonprofit educational organization ‘that sets up exchange programs r high school students. It has been doing so since 1957, and began government exchanges in 1977. Now, about 800 students exchanged between the United States and Japan every year through YFU. My home stay abroad carried many educational experiences. Not only did I Ica how to assimilate to a completely different culture, 1 learned independence and responsibility, I was placed with an ideal host family who treated me as their own daughter. They were patient and taught me much of the culture. Soon 1, and the other 49 students, will be ‘writing an essay about our trip, The top three authors will win a trip to Washington D.C,, where they will meet some U.S. as well as Japanese officials, Scholarships like these often have many applicants, 50 they do not publicize greatly. Tis the students responsibility to go out and find these programs. Of course, the competition is vigorous, but certainly not impossible, the experience was unforgettable and the knowledge gained immeasurable, Good luck to all those interested.
Pardip Kaur Bolina of Fenton High School in Bensenville IL Stood first in the state to win the Prestigious Japan U.S. Senate Youth Ex-change Program Scholarship. Each fall every high school has the opportunity to nominate one junior for the scholarship competition. Froma pool of more than 700 applicants finalists are selected on a stale by State basis on the student’s merits.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 16, 1994
