My name is Alex Rento, from Montville, New Jersey, and I am going to be a high school junior studying abroad in Lanzhou, China. I will be going with the trustworthy program, AFS, staying with a Chinese host family, and attending a local high school. I have a love of traveling abroad and learning about the world and other people and this gives me a chance to experience and embrace a local culture. These experiences can be through food, holidays, and everyday lifestyle. By living with a local family and living in a smaller city, while attending school with local students, should give me the perfect opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture. Sixteen may sound a bit young for a year abroad but I’m ready and believe that doing this at such an early age gives me the opportunity to further influence my life in the future. Understanding our world and the different cultures, values and beliefs that people hold true, enriches us and builds tolerance. I want to influence others in this way and this is a great way to begin doing so.
To experience all of the possible activities in a safe and responsible manner will cost a lot of money. I am in charge of funding between $3,000-5,000 of the total tuition. While I am in summer school to complete some of the credits that I will be unable to receive in China, I am also doing some odd jobs on the weekends to earn money and I am fundraising to get the remaining money needed for my year of immersion. I would immensely appreciate your donations. Please share this information with your family, friends, and coworkers who may share my value of international cultures and bridging the gaps between people. Thank you so much for your generosity in funding my influential year abroad in China.