Thoughts Before Leaving!

Hi! My name is Emily.
I guess you could call me an AFSer. AFS is an student exchange program and I am in. In my study abroad, I am going to Chile in South America for a semester in February. I got into AFS from my best friend who is in Costa Rica sponsored by AFS I currently live in the United States in Franklin, Tennessee.
All my thoughts in my head about leaving here are either good or bad. The good is that I cannot wait to be in a different country learning about their culture. I am really interested in what school will be like there. The bad is leaving and afraid of not getting along with people. I am usually not the homesick type and I also get along with people, so I don't have to worry to much about those things. I think the biggest challange for me will be learning to adapt to everyone around. I am so used to how things work here in the United States, that I might not know what to do once I get there.
Being young, I've realized I have so much time ahead of me. I've gotten asked several or more times, "why are you going now, why don't you go when you're older?" To answer that question, I want study abroad while I am in high school because I know myself well enough I won't wanna take myself out of college just to go to another country. For me, it's a now or never thing. My choice ended up going for the now.
My family 100% fully supports me and my decision on going. My sister, Molly, and I are extremely close. I know she will miss me, but she still backs me up as much as she can. My best friends are more than excited for me. Overall most of my friends think what I am doing is amazing.
I would love to thank my parents and my scholarship sponsor in helping me pay to go on this trip. This means so much to me. I promise all of the money will be worth it! I also went to thank my friends who are going to be involved in my benefit show to raise money for Chile in this upcoming December.