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Help Justinas @ Columbia University

Lietuvišką versiją rasite čia.
More information - I Support A Dream Facebook page.

Hello everybody!

My name is Justinas Grigaitis and I’m a 21-year-old student from Kaunas, Lithuania. I have the great privilege to be attending Columbia University as of this fall. But now you wonder how one could make all the way through from a modest family in a small country to one of the world's most famous universities? If that’s the case, you might be interested in reading my story and becoming a part of it!

My story

Growing up in a still recovering post-communist society was - euphemistically speaking - not easy. Since a very young age, I observed the negative influence of the social problems - alcoholism, injustice and hopelessness - in my close environment. I dreamt about a better future for my country and promised myself to live life in a different way. As a teenager, I became involved in many extracurricular activities which helped me to escape the surrounding negativity. They developed my personal skills and values, too. But above all, I came to believe that life can be something different!

Educational path

At the age of 15, I was the second-to-last person to be admitted into the best high school in my city. Four years after, I graduated among the few students with an honorable mention for the academic results. Then, thanks to a scholarship, I left to study social sciences at the prestigious Sciences Po Paris University in France. Despite the difficulties of simultaneously studying in two foreign languages, I managed to complete the first year among the top 2% of all students. As if that was not enough, I decided to aim higher and today, I am two months and $15,000 away from becoming the first Lithuanian to start the Dual BA Program with Columbia University in the City of New York!
More information about the program.

Pursuing an academic dream

Columbia University gathers the brightest minds from all over the globe and I am very excited to join them so soon! Becoming a part of the same alumni community with personalities such as Founding Father Alexander Hamilton or President Barack Obama, is an inspiration for me to make an effort and improve the world not less than those people do. While at Columbia, I will mainly focus on Economics and Education since I am convinced that these two are indispensable means for creating sustainable change. Whereas economists lead the debates tackling global issues, educators play a main role in fostering future generations of empathetic thinkers.
Without any doubt, the academic quality and diverse environment make Columbia University the ideal place for my study project!
After completing this program, I will obtain a bachelor’s degree from two world’s top class universities. But more importantly: studying in two continents, meeting thousands of different people with unique ideas and living in very distinct circumstances will make me a more understanding individual, capable of serving the Lithuanian society and people once I return home.

Financial needs

I turn to the crowd today because that is the only way my academic project can become reality. As much as my mother, working alone and taking care of three studying children, inspires me to devote myself to others and strive further, it would take 20 years to cover the cost of studies only with her salary. As a non-US citizen, I am not even eligible for a student loan or a state, federal aid neither. Fortunately, I have already received several scholarships and successfully fundraised trough social networks. However, $15,000 out of $67,000 are still missing to begin my studies this September. Make sure to check my budget overview  regularly and follow the impact of every dollar you donate!

# ISupportADream


I was shaped by different people that brought their stories along - my family members, teachers and every person I’ve met throughout a 21 years lasting journey.
You see, every person has a story to tell. Every person has a dream. Every person is a dream. However, dreams the media present to us often have little to do with the real world. Therefore, by means of a series of interviews with people like you and me, I want to show the life, we are going through 24/7: the problems we face, the solutions we find and the choices we make.
The #ISupportADream platform is a place to exchange our experiences, a chance to share our dreams!

My engagement

So far numerous challenges taught me a lot and I am more than happy to share my experience with you! Please don’t hesitate to contact me if:
·         You struggle with university, career choices, application procedures, internship hunting, job interview preparation, etc.
·         You would like to receive articles related to economics and education from the latest scientific sources and share our insights afterwards.
·         You would like to hear my story live – let’s meet for an (in)formal conversation or organize a community event together!
I am also open to any other collaboration or work proposals.

Your contribution

If you share these thoughts, please support my academic dream with a small contribution, a positive comment or suggestions.
I would be very grateful if you spread this story among your friends, too.
Let’s change the world together! I truly believe in you.

Thank you.
Justinas G.
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Donations 

  • Solveig Baylor
    • $40 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Justinas Grigaitis
Organizer
New York, NY
Simonas Zmuidzinas
Beneficiary

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