Hello! 您好！My name is Anabelle, and I am a senior pursuing a double major in Political Science and East Asian Languages and Cultures with a minor in Dance at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I am raising money so that I can participate in my school's Illinois in Washington program, where I will continue working on my degree while interning with the US-Asia Institute. It has been my dream to use my Mandarin skills and passion for the performing arts in a career that works to better the relationship between the US and China. I am excited to finally start making this dream come to life next semester, but I cannot do it without your help. Because the cost of living in DC is so high, I will not be able to afford to live there for the semester on top of tuition and other associated fees. In total, the program will cost me $12,000. The internship is unpaid, and even though I already work two jobs and plan to work in DC on top of being a full-time student, this sum is far too high for me to pay on my own. That is why I need to raise at least $7,500 with GoFundMe. With your help, my financial burden will be greatly reduced, and I can focus my energy on projects to enhance the prospects for a more peaceful, collaborative world.