A DREAMER's Study Abroad Program
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Looking back at the year leading up to my upcoming semester abroad in Montpellier France, I am overwhelmed by the amount of support and motivation that friends and family have given me. From reading over multiple drafts of application essays to calming down unfounded worries and concerns, this process has not been an individual one, at all—and for that I am incredibly thankful.
As most of you know, I am a DREAMER. Under the program President Obama developed in 2012, I have been able to obtain a work permit and most recently, a state ID, which has helped me during my college career at UNL as a language and film student. My time at the university has been enriching and fulfilling. I’ve been privileged enough to finance my expenses doing something I like, amongst people I admire, at the Ross theater and the Fellowships Office.
Despite these great events, the last few years have been difficult knowing that my immigration status came with limitations, which included limited financial assistance and the confines of main U.S territory. When I decided to apply for the program in Montpellier, goals clashed with reality. The process required me to undergo a seven-month long journey to obtain Advance Parole, which is what will allow me to temporarily leave the United States, and come back.
While obtaining those documents proved a massive success on itself, I am still struggling with the financial restraints. Currently, DREAMERS are unable to apply for scholarships that are government funded, FAFSA, or student loans. Thus, all financial support must come from private funds and private scholarships. At this point I feel incredibly happy and proud to have half of my program funded by private scholarships—another substantial part covered by my personal savings.
Now, with three-weeks left, I yet again I am reaching out for support. Unfortunately, as it often goes, monetary support is the type of help that will be most useful during my upcoming semester abroad. I will continue to work up until departure date, but as a wise and dear friend of mine pointed out, “there is nothing shameful or weak in reaching out to those who want to help you.”
I think a GoFundMe Campaign is the best way to do this since there is an option to be an anonymous donor, and also, it is a completely electronic procedure that (hopefully) eliminates any awkwardness from the physicality of a monetary transaction.
Whether for just reading this, being part of the preparation process, or assisting on this particular endeavor, my most sincere THANK YOU for helping me get to this point, and the upcoming step in my academic, professional, and personal development.
As most of you know, I am a DREAMER. Under the program President Obama developed in 2012, I have been able to obtain a work permit and most recently, a state ID, which has helped me during my college career at UNL as a language and film student. My time at the university has been enriching and fulfilling. I’ve been privileged enough to finance my expenses doing something I like, amongst people I admire, at the Ross theater and the Fellowships Office.
Despite these great events, the last few years have been difficult knowing that my immigration status came with limitations, which included limited financial assistance and the confines of main U.S territory. When I decided to apply for the program in Montpellier, goals clashed with reality. The process required me to undergo a seven-month long journey to obtain Advance Parole, which is what will allow me to temporarily leave the United States, and come back.
While obtaining those documents proved a massive success on itself, I am still struggling with the financial restraints. Currently, DREAMERS are unable to apply for scholarships that are government funded, FAFSA, or student loans. Thus, all financial support must come from private funds and private scholarships. At this point I feel incredibly happy and proud to have half of my program funded by private scholarships—another substantial part covered by my personal savings.
Now, with three-weeks left, I yet again I am reaching out for support. Unfortunately, as it often goes, monetary support is the type of help that will be most useful during my upcoming semester abroad. I will continue to work up until departure date, but as a wise and dear friend of mine pointed out, “there is nothing shameful or weak in reaching out to those who want to help you.”
I think a GoFundMe Campaign is the best way to do this since there is an option to be an anonymous donor, and also, it is a completely electronic procedure that (hopefully) eliminates any awkwardness from the physicality of a monetary transaction.
Whether for just reading this, being part of the preparation process, or assisting on this particular endeavor, my most sincere THANK YOU for helping me get to this point, and the upcoming step in my academic, professional, and personal development.
Organizer
Jessica Vazquez
Organizer
Lincoln, NE
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