<p>I'm a freshman in highschool ad I've really been thinking of studying abroad because AFS is providing a scholarship that will enable me to go to any country for free for a year. Even though it might be free, I still have couple of problems.</p>
<p>would I fall behind in school: right now I am planning on taking geometry and pre-calc sophomore year, and then taking AP calc junior year and then taking AP calc BC senior year... And that's only for math. </p>
<p>I play the viola: I am not the best violist, but I can play the viola pretty well. I am not sure if I'll be able to continue practicing my viola if I got to Spain or Chile.</p>
<p> I also play soccer: I am not sure if studying abroad will help me or hurt me.</p>
<p>Also which country do you think will be a better place to go, Spain, chile, or some other Spanish speaking country?</p>
<p>By the way, I'm half Japanese and half American if that changes anything. And I'll be going through AFS.</p>
<p>Why wouldn’t you be able to continue playing the viola in another country? When my daughter was an exchange student in Ecuador she auditioned and was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Ecuador. You can take a math course during the summer if you wish. You will be studying math at your school overseas so with a little tutoring you might be able to skip a course when you get back. You could probably play soccer for fun in any country but not on a competitive team. I guess you have to decide what your priorities are but a high school exchange is an extraordinary experience that can not be matched later in life. If you have the opportunity, you should do it. Re. Spanish speaking countries, be aware that some areas of Spain do not speak Castilian Spanish. You could be placed in one of those areas. Some South American countries have more than one national language, as well. Do some research if you are intent on learning Spanish. You may also want to research education in different countries if you want a certain kind (or quality) of education. Chile has a large education budget. I don’t know whether that translates into better education but it might. Good luck!</p>