Eugene from Moldova for UC Berkeley

Who am I? I have been admitted to UC Berkeley for Fall 2021 after transferring from Santa Monica College with the Highest Honors and GPA of 4.0. I am a son of a single parent and I come from a small post-Soviet country, the Republic of Moldova. My mother is doing everything she can and I have worked 5 jobs to afford SMC, but now my expenses in college will triple by attending UC Berkeley. I am reaching out for support because I want to use my education to bridge the gap between the U.S. and Eastern Europe.

Why am I crowdfunding the money? It is a common misconception that international students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. are wealthy. Students like me are ineligible for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) and are required to pay additional fees, insurance, and out-of-state tuition that is six times more expensive than what local students pay. My F-1 visa allows me to work only on campus.

How much do I need? I am raising $65,000 to pay for my two years at UC Berkeley, after being admitted as a transfer student from a community college. While tuition will cost me $45,000, I have already saved $6,000 from independent scholarships, and plan to allocate the funds I raise from the GoFundMe campaign specifically for tuition, housing, insurance, and transportation. Once I transfer to UC Berkeley, I plan to work on campus for the minimum wage to afford books and a meal plan. It is pivotal for me to raise the $59,000 difference in order to remain eligible for my student visa and remain in the U.S. 

It is important to me to go to college because I want to be an asset for any community I live in. In the past, I served as an ambassador of Moldova in Iowa during the “Future Leaders Exchange Program” and received a Certificate of Outstanding Volunteer Service from the U.S. Department of State. The knowledge I gained in the U.S. led me to work on issues that affected my home country. 

I could not ignore that in Moldovan villages, people were suffering from respiratory infections caused by mold in their homes. A simple “high-tech” dehumidifier would not solve their problems as it is too expensive. My teammate and I developed a candle which eliminated mold spores from the air, thus minimizing the risk of getting lung diseases. The start-up, “Candles for MOLDova,” won 1st place at “Diamond Challenge Moldova,” a competition for young entrepreneurs, and enabled me to represent Moldova at the University of Delaware. That experience taught me how creativity can address much-needed changes in my society. 

To afford my education at Santa Monica College, I had to get creative and worked 5 jobs as a dog-walker, Russian language teacher, pizza maker, private tutor, and computer literacy instructor at a nursing home. To afford rent and other living expenses in Los Angeles, I worked 20 hours a week at the International Education Center on campus. I am now graduating with an Associates Degree with the Highest Honors from Santa Monica College with a GPA of 4.0. The last three years at SMC taught me that focus, hustle, discipline, and an honest heart can take me all the way to an Associate's Degree, but I want to continue my education. 

I acknowledge the responsibility that comes with this crowdfunding campaign and admission to UC Berkeley. It has always been my priority to give back to the community, and during my next two years in college I plan to commit and dedicate myself to elevating my knowledge and wisdom in service of others. I worked hard to earn the opportunity for a world-class education, and now I am asking you to help me with your kind donation. I believe that one person can make a difference, and your individual donation will make all the difference for me.

About my major and vision: 

Pursuing my bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley is my main goal. I plan to focus on International Entrepreneurship and Entertainment. As a student, I learned and gained experience in leadership, business, design, and communication. My education has given me a refined sense of aesthetics, the ability to see a variety of perspectives, and the capacity to be decisive under pressure. In the era of digitalization, human contact is increasingly rare and valuable as people become more and more alienated from one another. With my knowledge of Russian, Romanian, English, as well as my business acumen, I plan to promote cross-cultural inclusion and diversity by connecting post-Soviet audiences to Western and global entertainment industries.

With great respect, 

Eugeniu Cuznetov