Sponsor an AFSer!

Summer Home Stay in Turkey

Hello! My name is Alexia Sanchez, I am a sophomore at YES Prep Southeast and this summer I will take part in a summer home stay in Turkey for 6 weeks.

For years now, one of my major interests has learning about foreign cultures through their language and culture. In the past I took introductory Italian classes, joined foreign films clubs and successfully completed my first semester taking a Korean language course. Thanks to the Global Leaders scholarship I was awarded, I will be able to pursue my passion for foreign cultures beyond the classroom. I have been given the opportunity to travel internationally this summer through AFS (American Field Service), the world’s oldest high school exchange organization whose sole mission is to work for a more just and peaceful world by providing international and intercultural experiences like the one I was offered. After moving to the United States seven years ago, I realized moving to a new country with a different culture and customs is an adventure in itself and now I am more eager than ever to experience it again through this cultural opportunity.

Through this cultural exchange program, I hope to develop language skills and a better understanding of a different way of life. I strongly believe that learning about foreign cultures is a critical step to increase my global awareness. While abroad, I will be able to combat stereotypes in foreign countries and then use my experience to become a better leader in my own community. I will be leaving from New York in late June and will be abroad for about six weeks. But even after this trip, I plan to continue to pursue my interest in foreign cultures all throughout my remaining years in high school and subsequently in college. After I get back from my summer program, I will continue being involved with AFS by either applying to travel abroad again or becoming a volunteer and giving presentations in my school to share my experience and encourage other teens to participate in such enriching opportunities.

While Global Leaders is awarding me a partial scholarship, I still need to raise over $2,000 to actually be able travel abroad. I am responsible for covering the rest of the tuition, the domestic airplane ticket to my departure city, visa costs and extra spending money. I cannot raise the necessary funds without your help, which is why I ask you to please donate money to help me begin this adventure. I do not ask you for an specific amount, anything would be helpful. No matter how small, your donation would make a difference. I understand if you are not able to help me financially, but I will be very grateful for your good wishes and encouragement.

Teşekkür Ederim
Thank You!

P.S. Please forward this to anyone who you think would like to help. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for your support. If you would like more information, please contact my AFS Advisor, Alex Flood at 1-800-237-4636, ext. 1514 or aflood@afs.org. You can also contact me at alexiavianey94@yahoo.com.

How to Donate -
Please make checks out to: AFS USA – TX Gulf Coast. If you wish to direct your tax- deductible donation to a specific student please affix a post- it note on the check indicating the student. Mail the check to: AFS TX Gulf Coast c/o Debra Tholen 2158 Chilton Rd. Houston, TX. 77019. Acknowledgement letters sent upon request for amounts over $100. Questions: Call or email Debra Tholen, AFS TX Gulf Coast Sending Coordinator at d.tholen@comcast.net / 713-894-8528.