I would like to begin by saying I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to study journalism at the University of Technology Sydney, for a semester abroad. From February 13 to July 4, this trip would entail many "firsts" for me. My first airplane ride alone. My first time alone in a different country. My first time living alone. It will truly be a foreign experience, that I am throwing myself into, head first. 


My name is Sidra Jafri, and I am currently in my third year at Ryerson University. I study journalism, where I am fortunate to learn about the world of reporting.


Growing up, I was always interested in talking in front of an audience about important topics. Public speaking has always been a passion of mine. One of the highlights of my life was standing in front of my entire elementary school, at the age of 11, and presenting for speech arts.


These speeches soon transitioned into poetry, and then finally into reporting. These public speaking opportunities gave me the drive I needed to discover journalism.


The program was my dream, and Ryerson was, and still is, my first choice for that dream. I get to learn how to remain ethical and accurate when telling the news.


Although, even though I enjoy learning at my dream university, I still wonder what learning in the same field would look like elsewhere in the world. When seeing the news on different platforms, I see that some policies are different than others. 


Aside from my educational-based curiousity, I am a very dependant person. I feel the trip would give me the life changing experience of living alone, on the other side of the world. It would help me build responsibility skills that would help beyond my time in Australia. 


Currently, I am working towards saving for the trip, by working two part time jobs, while trying to balance school. Though my savings are steadily increasing, I fear my time is quickly running out, as I leave on the 13th of February. 


The funding will be able to cover a majority of my residence fees (approx. $6,569). With my goal amount, I will be able to save for necessities such as food, and utilities, without having to worry about whether I can pay the rent. 


Any help would be contributing to a once-in-a-lifetime and life changing opportunity, that would work towards my Bachelors of Journalism.


In the wise words of my beautiful mother, “If you love me, GoFundMe!”