189 dias :)

Ooi, meu nome é Jully. Tenho 15 anos, mas irei viajar com 16. Moro em São Carlos, no estado de São Paulo há uns 14 anos. Há muito tempo, surgiu a idéia do intercambio, mas no começo, meu pai queria mandar meu irmão e eu, apenas 3 meses.. depois a idéia foi cresceendo, fomos ouvindo comentarios de estudantes que fizeram intercambio, fomos levando mais a sério e correndo atras ! No começo fiquei com um pouco de medo, em pensar que irei ficar tanto tempo longe.. e nao queria ficar muito tempo, mas depois acabei aceitando por sugestao de meu pai. O intercambio pra mim, será uma experiencia unica, na qual irei amadurecer muito, aprimorar meu inglês, conhecer novas culturas, e conhecer o locais (passar) tb! :) Meus documentos já foram enviados, agora só depende da host family ! Boooom, seja o que Deus quiser ! AIAI vai demorar ainda, mas to mt ansiosa ! tomara que dê tudo certo =D

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Dear Host Family,

My name is Jully Oliveira. I would like to introduce myself, talk about my preferences, my relationship with my parents and friends, and what they think about me as well.

My parents think I am a cheerful, extroverted person who enjoys having friends and spending time with them; they think I am honest, responsible and the kind of daughter that likes studying, knows when to study or have fun; my father and my mother are confident about my future and think they will be proud of me. My friends believe I am polite, outgoing, friendly, warm and they enjoy being with me. They know they can always count on me whenever they need.

At home, I try to follow my parents advice.They are fun, but also strict at the right moment; they say what I ought to do when necessary. I always try to be a loyal friend; I like to share good moments with my friends and help them. But I also like having a ‘shoulder to cry on’ when I am sad. I can’t see much difference between my brother Pedro, who is 14, and I. He is shier than me; I think I am more patient; we like different kinds of music; and when it comes to everyday responsibilities I guess I am more concerned that he is. With my friends I know there are always some little disagreements, sometimes we don’t agree on some subjects but we always try to work out these little conflicts. At home, as a member of the family I have rights and duties and know that I have my share of contribution for a smooth, happy home. I always like to see my parents and brother happy and try to make them laugh. In some situations I look for my parents’ advice, such as places I should go, items I want to buy (books, clothes…) or other doubts I may have about ordinary activities.

At school, I try to take part in all activities; I take part in group activities, extra curricular activities such as outings and visiting charities. I often go to church with my parents and brother. I go to a club, where I get together with my friends and play sports ( usually volleyball and swimming); as school activities I’ve already taken part in campaigns to raise toys to be donated to poor children, visited public day-care centers. To me, it is important to have a good relationship with my family, help my parents, make good friends, study, travel and get the most out of opportunities life offers, be nice to people and get enough knowledge to be able to be a good professional.

I am interested in going to High School abroad to improve my English, as well as to know new cultures, to become more mature and experienced. I’ve chosen AFS because my father learned this Organization is very reliable, which made him feel secure about letting me study abroad. I hope to succeed; to make new friends; to adapt easily and to fit in my host family, as well, somehow, to be useful to people who will welcome me abroad; to learn all good things the country has to offer me, specially concerning education, culture and leisure.

My routine (school and homework, going out with friends....) is necessary for my development. All my activities are done with no difficulties and nothing is frustrating.

Actually, I have never gone through something so difficult and challenging, but I can remember a relatively challenging situation that took place 4 years ago when I had to change schools. At the time, I was attending a school with small classes, and there were only 4 girls, but I didn’t complain. After talking to my parents, we decided that it would be better to change schools because the one I was going to was not fulfilling concerning education. My friends moved cities; in addition, I was attending a new school, I had to face a new situation, new people and people who had been together for a long time. It was a challenge to make new friends, to live with new people, to get to know their way, their weaknesses and qualities and to try to understand the differences. To me, at that time, it was as if I were getting into a new world. With time, I was able to fit in, get to know each one and soon I was making new friends; actually it was not that hard.

I plan to prepare to enter a public university and attend medical school. I want to be a well-prepared professional to help people and to have good job opportunities.

My main interests and activities are: 1) reading magazines : I read some fortnight’s magazines and some books regularly; 2) walking: I sometimes go for a walk; dance classes; swimming; volleyball: I love playing volleyball with my friends once a week; 3) movies: I enjoy going to the movies with my friends and brother, which I do once a week Whenever I can I also watch movies that I rent from a video store; 4) ballet : I enjoy going to ballet presentations or my school plays; 5) news: I watch news on TV; soap operas, cartoons, series : I watch them when I have some free time; 6) some days a week when I have some free time in the afternoon I go out with friends: we go to the club, go to a friend’s home to talk, watch movies, laugh, play a game; 7) music: In my free time an also enjoy listening to music on an Ipod or computer.

Best wishes,

Jully Oliveira