One Rising Starr Middle student is going to get the summer vacation of a lifetime.

Stephanie Tan has been selected to participate in the 18th annual Asia-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka, Japan this July. She will represent Georgia has a junior ambassador.

During her 15-day trip, Stephanie will live with a host family where she will experience the Japanese way of life and culture. The Japan-America Society of Georgia sponsors the convention.

In order to be considered for the program, Stephanie wrote a two-page essay on why she would make a good ambassador to represent Georgia. She was also required to draw a picture representing the theme of the convention, “We are the Bridge: We connect dreams around the world,” as well as submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or another adult other than her parents.

The purpose of the convention is to provide a clearer and wider understanding of Japanese culture, customs and language to K-12 students.