Undergraduate / Home stay program in Japan - My hobbies, culture activities, sporting activities [7]

Here is my essay after correcting some parts, please lets me know much more about my essay.

My interest in chemistry began in my first year at the Secondary School. From that time, I totally realized that chemistry was so interesting and i started studying chemistry with all of my curiousness. I had been standing in Chemistry olympiad team, joined in several competitions with some awards during secondary school to university.

Also, I like studying foreign languages, I began to study studying Korean, Japanese and English because I felt it is the best way to understand those cultures. I also love to make new friendships with those who come from diverse backgrounds. That again is one of the best ways to broaden my perspectives about the world and what it offers to people. My 18 months Home stay program in Japan enabled me to make many such new friendships. I was introduced to Japanese lifestyle, traditions, cultural festivals like Obon, Kagura, Onsen etc. I even learned the Japanese language and became able to handle a conversation in Japanese.

I like reading detective novels, traveling and working oversea to challenge my self with new environment.
I am working in chemical engineering field then I travel all over Japan to many refineries, power stations or industrial zones. It is also a chance for me to experience some places with their interesting customs.

About sporting activities, i love watching and playing football. I used to play football with some French friends in Korea when we were in the same class.

I sometimes play baseball with my colleagues in the weekend or go hiking to the mountains. I used to climb to the top of three mountains passing 14 km trekking in one day.

I love spending time with my family, cooking dinner together and playing with children.