Intro post ( :

My name is Kevin Goodrich, and this blog is dedicated to my time studying abroad in Japan through the AFS year program. I chose AFS because to me, it seemed the most professional, and the most straightforward. I say straightforward because unlike every other program I looked into, AFS was the most encouraging, and laid out my options for me in the most clear way they could.

During my time abroad, I want to open my eyes to the rest of the world, the world I wont see spending my youth in the US. I want to better myself by experiencing life in a different way. In return I hope to expand the knowledge of those I meet and hopefully encourage them to try new things as well. My friends and family seem very encouraging and none of this would be possible without their support.

On my way to successfully becoming an AFS'er, I've met plenty of challenges, from planning out the best way to complete my application, to actually doing it, and even after that, getting the money to even be able to go. It's always been a bit of long shot. But it's ok because I know my effort won't go to waste. So far i've been working a part time job at KFC along with cooperating with my family in order to come up with the necessary funds.

If you want to see how everything is going with my trip once I depart, please follow this. I'll try my best to keep those interested posted. ( :