The Beginnning...

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Applying for the Japanese exchange scholarship programme has been tough process. The first time I heard about it, I was unaware of how meticulously the applicants would be judged. We had to submit an essay, go through individual interviews and also a group interview, with our attendance and academic progress also being considered. With so many other great students having applied, I’m very humbled and grateful to have been one of the students selected for the exchange.
When the envelope that contained whether I had gotten the scholarship or not was handed to me, I was honestly too scared to open it at first. But once I did, and I saw that I had gotten it, relief and excitement immediately washed over me. It was in that moment that I felt that the all the work I had put into my overall application had finally paid off.   
​Knowing that I’m going to be in a foreign country so far from New Zealand, living with a family who doesn’t speak english for 2 weeks, I can’t help but feel somewhat anxious and nervous. However, I’m also very excited and thrilled to have this opportunity available to me. I'm sure that I,along with the other selected students, will learn alot from this experience and I aim to do my best to make this experience a good one for the Japanese students who will be coming to Aorere later on. I’m also excited to be able to share my own culture with someone who has most likely never been exposed to it.