By Sarah Jakel

Hannah Cooper (18) will be on her way to New York and then Japan in the following months. Cooper will be able to do this through the program “Japan Society Junior Fellows Leadership Program.” Cooper said, “I was selected to be a part of 10 other students from across the country to be a participant.” The program runs from July 5 through the 26. Cooper will fly to New York for about two days because that is where the Japan Society is stationed. While there she will get a quick boot camp to survive. Cooper said, “I will get a quick language course and how to handle culture shock.” From there she will fly to Japan with the group and the advisors. Cooper said, “For the first ten days we’ll stay with a host family and attend a Japanese High School.” The other part of the trip includes meeting with current leaders in their different subjects such as business and nonprofit organizations. Cooper said, “We’ll also have to carry out an independent project on a topic of interest. We’ll also visit historical sites.” Going to Japan has been Cooper’s dream since she was in the 4th grade and she will finally get the chance to experience the culture and land that she has been so fascinated with. Cooper said, “There are no words to exactly describe how I feel. I’m nervous, excited, emotional, ready and not ready all at the same time.