Name: Simone Marant Age: 15 Lives in: Philadelphia, PA School Year: High School Freshman The best part so far? I've been accepted to the Council for International Education Echange's Japan Study Abroad Program. In 2017-2018 I'll spend my sophomore year of high school and an international educational exchange student. I'm super excited! I began teaching my self Japanese I was 12 years old. I used online resources and workbooks I purchased with my allowance. In September 2015 I enrolled in adult Japanese language classes at the Japanese Language School of Philadelphia. My classes are Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. I want to study abroad to become more knowledgeable about the Japanese culture. But I also want to teach the Japanese people about American and African-American culture. I will be an ambassador for Black teen girls. I really hope 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 internationally.