Youth For Understanding USA on Monday announced the recipient of the prestigious Japan-America Friendship Scholarship to East Ridge High School Junior Anna Millard. This scholarship goes out to a student who has at least a 3.00 grade point average and wants to study in Japan for the summer. Officials said, "Youth For Understanding is extremely proud of Anna and looking forward to helping her through this experience."
When asked why she chose to apply for this scholarship and if she was excited to start her trip Anna said, “I've always wanted to go! I remember watching a documentary that said Japan has one of the lowest crime rates and I told my dad that I wanted to go there one day. The more I got into it the more I wanted to go! I love how the Japanese have such manners and respect. I always thought I'd go later in life; I never thought I'd have the chance to go so soon!"
When asked if she was nervous about going abroad Anna said, “I am a bit nervous about going. I've never been out of the country and this is my chance to go somewhere -- completely out of my comfort zone -- but you have to take a risk sometimes. I don't know much Japanese so I hope my host family will be able to speak a little English. I will miss all my friends and family back home. They have all been so encouraging and I'm so thankful. I know they'll all be here waiting for me and all the stories of my great adventure when I come back. I can't wait to meet new people and hopefully make some lasting friendships. I think this will be an amazing experience for me and I simply can not wait.”
Anna is planning on studying in Japan for the upcoming summer with YFU USA’s Americans Overseas Program which encourages constant improvement in foreign relations through first hand experience.
Youth For Understanding is a non-profit international educational organization with programs in 64 countries. One of the world's oldest, largest, and most respected exchange organizations, YFU has exemplified excellence in exchange worldwide since 1951.
For more information, please contact Ryan Pitts at rpitts@yfu.org.