A Brief Statement and Thank-You

My name's Rebekah and I am applying to go abroad with AFS for a school year in the Czech Republic, Latvia, or Iceland. I decided to go abroad with AFS because I have always wanted to expericene life in a different country and out of all of the exchange programs I looked at, AFS offered the broadest range of countries to choose from. While living in a different country, I hope to expand my view of the world, which unfortunately right now is fairly limited, learn a new language and culture, and better myself by becoming more independent and more knowledgeable about the world I live in, yet know very little about. Also, I hope to make new friends that have cultures different from my own. In return, I hope to give my host family a better view of Americans because, just as Americans stereotype other countries and cultures, I'm sure they have some stereotypes about us, and maybe I can convince someone else to be an exchange student and jump into a new culture.
My mom is proud of me for even getting this far in the process of becoming an exchange student, and is very supportive, but says she doesn't know what she will do without me for an entire school year, and my dad doesn't really understand, since he has never had any desire to travel outside of the country. My sister is sad that I will miss her 18th birthday and, unless I can get it approved for me to come back early, her high school graduation, but she understands that this is something I feel I need to do and she says she knows that it will be an amazing experience for me. Some of my friends think that I am crazy for wanting to do this, since they would never have any desire to jump into a new country with a language they don't speak, but others have been incredibly supportive, offering to help me fundraise, and one of my friends wants me to pack her in a suitcase and bring her with me wherever I end up going.
The main challenge through all of this has been figuring out how to raise the money. I have a few ideas, but have yet to put them into action. Also, I had to convince my dad that I would raise all of the money if I had to, that I do not want cost to be the one thing that keeps me from being an exchange student. So far I have saved up about seven hundred dollars from birthdays and Christmases, and I am in contanct with a lady who has helped the music department at my school fundraise money. Also, I've contacted a murder mystery group to inquire about using one of their murder mystery dinners as a fundraiser.
I would like to thank my scholarship sponsor for the $3,300 I have been given toward the Iceland year program, as this obviously helps with the issue of money. This is an amazing opportunity, and I am grateful that you have helped me make this a reality.