Here's What Chattanoogans are Saying About Scholarships to Japan!
We dug into our JAUF students files here at the Community Foundation
of Greater Chattanooga, and found they contain a heartwarming demonstration
of the JAUF program's real impact in the form of correspondence
we've received from our students before, during and after their
travels to Japan. If you are selected to receive a JAUF scholarship,
here's what you would have to look forward to!
JAUF Students' Letters From Japan
JAUF Students After Returning Home
JAUF STUDENTS' LETTERS FROM JAPAN:
"The food is wonderful. I love it. It took me about one week to adjust to the differences. I have tried so many new things. I even went to a bookstore and bought a Japanese cookbook. It is written in English and I can hardly wait to cook for my family at home!" - Alice E. Tym, Ooltewah High School, Summer Program '91
"Last night, I received my plane ticket for Toyko. Do I have to come home?!" - Carrie Hart, Notre Dame High School, Summer Program '95
"At first, I dreaded school because I can't speak Japanese but my classmates love to speak English and have taught me some Japanese." - Carrie Hart, Notre Dame High School, Summer '95
"If anybody were to ask me if they should do this, I'd say definitely, because I've made so many great friends, I have a new family, I've learned so much of the language, and I've had a lot of fun. It's been just the most incredible summer of my entire life!" - Ashleigh Dawkins, Baylor School, Summer '93
JAUF STUDENTS AFTER RETURNING HOME:
"I was surprised to see many things that seemed so American also present in Japan. The contrast between its advanced technology and old-fashioned traditions intrigued me." - Yo Yu Chang, Girls Preparatory School, Summer Program '94
"Before I left, Japanese had seemed a people so distant as to be less than real, but as I joined them at school, parties, and their homes, they became real, and more importantly, friends . . . Sharing in the lives of the people that make that breathtaking land a nation was an experience that I am certain I am better for having had." - Merritt Abney, McCallie School, Summer Program '94
"It opened my eyes to new places, new people and new ways of living. I learned a lot about Japanese culture, but also, and perhaps more importantly, I learned a lot about myself." - Maggie Scott, Hixson High School, Summer Program '91
"In the end, we discover we're a lot more the same than we are different. They get up and go to school and come home and sit around with their families just like we do." - Ashleigh Dawkins, Baylor School, Summer Program '93
"I learned a great deal during my stay in Tokyo. It has been less than a week since I returned to the United States, but I feel my journey has yet to end." - Ryan Chen, McCallie School, Summer '94
"Without the services provided by the Community Foundation, I never would have been able to participate in this program. I believe it is the same with most of the other returnees; they all wanted to go abroad but without the financial assistance provided, would not have been able to." - Maggie Scott, Hixson High School, Summer '91
"I feel, in general, a lot stronger of a person. I feel now that I can pretty much go anywhere and be able to adapt. I also think I have a much more global vision of the world." - Maggie Scott, Hixson High School, Summer '91
"We continue to have a relationship with her host family. They were a caring and loving family." - Barbara Dawkins, mother of Ashleigh Dawkins, Baylor School, Summer Program '93
"The people at the Community Foundation seemed genuinely interested in Maggie and were always able to answer our questions or to find the answers." - Mr. & Mrs. Ed Scott, parents of Maggie Scott, Hixson High School, Summer Program '91
"As parents, we strive to encourage our children to reach for the stars! When Carrie read about the JAUF Scholarship to Japan, we discussed the possibility that she might be a recipient but the competition might be great. Now we are packing for Japan! How do we as parents convey our sincere thanks to you, the Community Foundation and NA Industries for providing the educational and cultural opportunity of a lifetime for our daughter. This is a challenge and an adventure that most 15-year-old children can never experience." - Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hart, parents of Carrie Hart, Notre Dame High School, Summer Program '95
"My daughter learned a great deal about self reliance and about an interesting country, its culture and its people." - Alice L. Tym, mother of Alice E. Tym, Ooltewah High School, Summer Program '91
"We have developed a close relationship with Maggie's family for the Summer Program. They have visited us twice, and her host sister is planning a third visit this summer." - Susan Scott, mother of Maggie Scott, Hixson High School, Summer '91
