Bilingual/ Multi-lingual

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I don't even know how to start out this post/thread/whatever. I am too exicted to even speak...er type. Ok, on Friday night I was cranky and upset because I had LOADS of homework (evil teachers) and my week was really crappy. I try to do well in school I have my own system of studying and though I keep up my grades it's taking away my social life lol but 9th grade is only 3 years away from 12th grade and 4 years away from college. But anyway, my mom had called me downstairs and I was already irritated as is but then she read to me this letter from some people to people student ambassador about how an honorable teacher or whatever had recommended me for something about joinging a program they are doing in Washington D.C. Can you see where this is going? No? Well, the people basically told me in the letter that I was to come to a conference they are having in Washington D.C and that I was going to go to Japan for 14 days with other high school students in my area, next year! By the time my mom had gotten to this point of the letter I was screaming, jumping up and down, and had torn the paper from her hands. Yes, I am still freaking out right now. I don't know who the teacher was but I wish I could thank them. My sister said it doesn't matter because for the many times I talked about Japan it isn't a surprise. At least it got me somewhere. When I go it is to study the language and learn more about the culture. I'm specifiaclly going to Tokyo Japan. More like transferring to another school for two weeks. Provided with a substitute Japanese family, traveling and what not. I can't even describe how happy I am right now I haven't stopped talking about it since Friday and I have the paper and envelope nailed to the top of my bed. It will be my first time riding an airplane (shame but who cares) and my 23 year old sis is going with me YAY! For the rest of the year now I will probably be wishing that next year will come sooner. I am just really excited that I'm going so soon because I expected it to be all up to me to raise money to go since no one cared and that I wouldn't go till I was 18. Now it looks I'll be going at 14 or 15 depends when next year. Alot of my friends don't care much for Japan at all and always cracked jokes about them importing me there or whatever and said asian people are crazy and ugly which is insulting not only to them but to me becuase of how much I like it. But they can't even tell the difference from China and Japan so who cares what they say. But now it looks like they won't have to mock me anymore. No, I haven't been rubbing it in their faces... ok maybe a little. But, YEAH I'M GOING TO JAPAN!You're probably thinking now "what in the world is wrong with this crazy girl and why hasn't she gotten to the point of her topic" sorry just had to let that out. Now that that's over with, about the bilingual/ multi-lingual thing. I just happen to be learning German, Spanish, Portugese, French (creole), and Japanese. It's alot but I plan on traveling the world if I don't just stay to live in Japan, or work in the White House to be a translator for the UN meetings. Does anyone else here speak more than two languages? And have you also been to other countries?

I don't speak more than 2 languages, but I've wanted to forever. I have been to Costa Rice, which is a really nice place. You're so lucky to be going to Japan. I love the Japanese culture and from all the pictures and things I've seen, it looks like a really nice place to be and even live for a while. Good luck!
By the way, how are you learning all those languages?

I think a lot of teenagers get those letters. I got one as well when I was a teenager. They con you into thinking someone recommended you when in reality nobody did. It's one big scam.

Yep, I wouldn't just take it at face value. You need to find out about the company or organization that sent the letter. Who are they?

I've studied French, German, Spanish and Irish for years and I'm getting a friend to teach me Chinese. It is really tough, I've pretty much given up on the French and German though.I don't know what No1 and Steve are talking about, so I'm just gonna say good luck and have fun, ya lucky bitch...

Dude I love your sig

I was born in the USSR, so i speak russian; I lived in Israel, so i used to speak hebrew; now i'm in canada (english) and i've studied french. My next wish: to learn italian and go to italy :grin:

I'm going to guess it's the Youth Council thing in Washington CD. I'm trying to remember the full name, but it's slipping me at the moment. It's basically a Council of young (and ususally) over acheivers. I attended back when I was 15. So, JapanFan, if you get a chance to go, go! Looks great on a college applications and it's tons of fun!

Fluent in English and Serbian. Took 4 years of German and I was pretty good at it but I have forgotten most though due to lack of use. I picked up basic Spanish from the "muchachos" who worked on our chicken ranch growing up. I traveled most of Europe so the languages came in really handy.

She should investigate the organization, which she didn't specify. If it's on the up-and-up, she should go. But a little skepticism up front can be useful in a situation like this, especially in the case of something unsolicited. ("Congratulations! You've just won $1,000,000!")

I agree you should always research if you're unsure. But if its the same thing I went to (And not saying it is because I'm not 100% sure, but sounds very similar) it's very up and up. I even had to sign for the letter of acceptance because it was a federal letter.

Eh, thanks. Its been like that for a while now..

Yeah, thanks. Still excited about it. I did research and so did my dad who also thought it was a scam but he found and looked into it. The organization is called "People to People Student Ambassador" (~._.~) < that's a face in case you're wondering

Sounds good. Here is a forum thread on their interview process.

I'm fluent in german and english, lived in germany most of my life, so that's where the german came from

Oh thanks for that link!

I can get by in English, French, Spanish, Mandarin and Urdu and I've just started part time classes at uni in German, Italian and Japanese.

I can speak good French, Spanish and get by in Korean.

I'm pretty well travelled too.

bilingual? no i dont swing that way maybe... if i was locked up in prison for life

Lord...