Rediscovering PI Life, Love & Leadership
Donation protected
It's been over 2 decades, 20 years, 1,040 weeks, 7,300 days, 10.5 million minutes since I have travelled to the Philippines. After losing connection to my ethnic roots, the culture from which my life originates, I will embark on this journey to rediscover what it means to be a Filipina - including life on the islands, the love of family, and what it means to lead in higher education.
When I started my PhD program just two years ago, I would have not imagined that I would be interested in researching the stories and experiences of Filipino/a Americans in higher education. Now that I have made the decision to focus my research on this population of leaders, I also have discovered my desire to learn more about the islands, the people, the culture, and the language from which I originate.
Why am I fundraising? Many of you may know that I have left full-time work to pursue my doctoral degree. This means I have a limited income and I need to find unique and innovative ways to fund my research.
How will I use the money? I've already booked my flight to the Philippines Islands (PI) because I found such a great price to keep my costs low. December is an expensive time to fly to the islands and I found a flight (with a lot of layovers) that was hundreds of dollars less than the typical airfare. (And I need to pay back the loan from my dad who pre-paid my ticket for me to lock-in that price!) The money will also go towards taking language classes as I hope to learn Tagalog prior to going to the PI. The cost of research can add up, from sending out letters and surveys to conducting interviews and transcribing...so a little will go a long way!
What will I be researching? I will learn the language. I will understand what it means to be Filipino/a (in the US and the PI). I will talk to both sides of my family and collect ourstories. I will learn what it means to be a leader in higher education. I will love where I come from and the life I have been gifted.
If you are interested in following me on this journey, I will be writing and updating my blog at http://gracebagunu.tumblr.com.
If you like what I am doing, please feel free to help fund my research and forward it along to another supporter. Donate any amount from $1-$5000. At each level, you will receive something personalized from me and the more you give the more you get. So donors who give $1000+ will get a hand-written Thank You note, acknowledgement, a personalized postcard from the Philippines, custom jewelry, and a free talk! (If I had $1000 to donate to myself I would want all of these things!)
"Maraming salamat po" for your love, support, and encouragement. I will not do this work without you! Thank you for helping me rediscover life, love, and leadership in the Philippine Islands!
Grace
When I started my PhD program just two years ago, I would have not imagined that I would be interested in researching the stories and experiences of Filipino/a Americans in higher education. Now that I have made the decision to focus my research on this population of leaders, I also have discovered my desire to learn more about the islands, the people, the culture, and the language from which I originate.
Why am I fundraising? Many of you may know that I have left full-time work to pursue my doctoral degree. This means I have a limited income and I need to find unique and innovative ways to fund my research.
How will I use the money? I've already booked my flight to the Philippines Islands (PI) because I found such a great price to keep my costs low. December is an expensive time to fly to the islands and I found a flight (with a lot of layovers) that was hundreds of dollars less than the typical airfare. (And I need to pay back the loan from my dad who pre-paid my ticket for me to lock-in that price!) The money will also go towards taking language classes as I hope to learn Tagalog prior to going to the PI. The cost of research can add up, from sending out letters and surveys to conducting interviews and transcribing...so a little will go a long way!
What will I be researching? I will learn the language. I will understand what it means to be Filipino/a (in the US and the PI). I will talk to both sides of my family and collect ourstories. I will learn what it means to be a leader in higher education. I will love where I come from and the life I have been gifted.
If you are interested in following me on this journey, I will be writing and updating my blog at http://gracebagunu.tumblr.com.
If you like what I am doing, please feel free to help fund my research and forward it along to another supporter. Donate any amount from $1-$5000. At each level, you will receive something personalized from me and the more you give the more you get. So donors who give $1000+ will get a hand-written Thank You note, acknowledgement, a personalized postcard from the Philippines, custom jewelry, and a free talk! (If I had $1000 to donate to myself I would want all of these things!)
"Maraming salamat po" for your love, support, and encouragement. I will not do this work without you! Thank you for helping me rediscover life, love, and leadership in the Philippine Islands!
Grace
Organizer
Grace Abenoja Bagunu
Organizer
San Diego, CA