I taught myself Japanese and now I'm ready to go!

I plan to major in Japanese and a STEM field when I attend college.  Aftewards I'd like to teach both English and Science in Japan for at least a few years.  With your help I will study in Japan with the Council for International Educational Exchange's Japan Study Abroad program (see the link below for more information about the program).  Studying abroad in Japan for a year in high school will be the first of many years I plan to spend there.

I believe it's important to travel, learn different languages, learn about other cultures and teach people about mine.  I hope to encourage other teens, especially African-American teens to learn other languages and travel.  I plan to share my experiences at other schools and in community groups.  It was sort of easy to use free, online resources and inexpensive workbooks to learn about Japan.  If we expand our mental horizons we can achieve many possibilities.  We can improve cultural and international relationships when the world seems like it's becoming more nationalistic.

I began teaching mysef Japanese because I liked anime.  Then I began exploring Japanese customs and music.  I liked it a lot.  When I was 12 years old I began studying Japanese on my own.  Now that I'm fluent enough to attend school in Japan I couldn't be more excited to live there for a year.  

I really want to encourage teens to explore the world by studying abroad short or long term, learn a language and culture other than their own, and to inspire Black teens to travel and study internationally. Whatever we believe we can make happen.  

I need your help and support for my study abroad program.  In addition to earning money by babysitting and fundraisers I've helped organize I'm asking for crowdfunding support.  Please share my campaing with the hashtag #Simone2Japan.  If you're unable to contribute please share with your networks!

Thank you,

Simone Marant