The students of Hampshire High School are SO lucky to have the opportunity to travel to Europe available to them.  The trip to Italy and

  Austria sounds like the chance of a lifetime, and I would love to be one of the twenty students to have that chance!

        Ciao!  My name is Julie, and I am a sixteen year old tenth grader at HHS.  I have many reasons that I would like to participate in the Italian Exchange program in the spring of 2007.  I believe that the program offers such a great experience for students, and I would certainly like to share in the experience with a group from my own school.  Since I have only traveled by plane once in my life so far, I am excited about the travel experience itself.  Since we usually go places by private car, I will enjoy going by train and bus to experience something new.  

        I would love to visit Italy and Austria (and whatever is in between) to see and hear and taste how those countries and cultures are different from mine. I believe hosting (and being hosted by) a teen from Italy will be fun and educational.  What a great way to relate to someone from another country—not just reading about their lifestyle in a book.  We will be able to talk and talk and talk about so many things. I think my bubbly personality and my great family will make their stay with me comfortable and enjoyable. 

        By participating in the Italian Exchange 2007 I will be following in the footsteps of my older sister and some of my peers.  My sister, Kate, participated in Exchange 2005, and had a wonderful time.  

I have been able to share her stories, and see all of her beautiful pictures from her trip.  I’d like to create my own memories and I have been anxiously waiting for my turn to apply.

        The chance to travel out of the country should give me a better understanding of world events.  After my high school graduation I plan to attend college and study to be a teacher.  I am still not sure which subject I would like to teach, but I can hear myself one day saying to my own students, “When I traveled to Italy …..”

        My parents are very excited for my chance at this new experience and to host another Italian exchange student. We ALL enjoyed our previous hosting experience. It was interesting, rewarding, and entertaining.   My dad works locally for the Natural Resources Conservation Service where he is the district conservationist.  My mother works at a local jewelry and gift store.  My sister is a college student and resides in the dormitory at her school.  It is close and we see her often.  We live very close to Hampshire High School and it is very easy to attend events and activities there.  We live in a small neighborhood about five miles outside of the small town of Romney .

        I am involved in a variety of school and community activities.  I participate in DECA (a school marketing organization), Peer Helpers, and I help organize the school Red Cross Bloodmobile at HHS.  I am also an eight year member of my 4-H Club and am busy with leadership activities and community service through it.  I played on the Hampshire High tennis team last year and hope to be on the team again. I enjoy watching some sporting events, but am not particularly athletic.  Our family is a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, and I participate with the J.O.Y. youth group from the First Baptist Church .  Last summer we traveled to the state of Michigan on a mission trip to help families with home repairs.  It was very rewarding and I am hoping to go with the group on another trip this summer.  This trip will be to Canada .

        Some of my other interests include reading, listening to all kinds of music and being with my friends and family.  I am finding out that I enjoy cooking, and I am learning to bake.  I think I am a funny, talkative and friendly person.  I am trying to use my powers of persuasion to talk my parents into getting a dog, but I have not convinced them yet.  I recently traveled to Disneyworld with the DECA group and we had a blast.  Several of my friends are also hoping to participate in the 2007 Exchange to Italy , and I think the trip will be that much more exciting with my buddies by my side. 

        I REALLY hope I will have the opportunity to participate in the Italian Exchange IX.  I KNOW this trip will be one of the highlights of my life.