Hi, I'm Ayla, I’m a junior studying environmental science and history/anthropology at NYU.

Since I was 8 years old it was a dream of mine to be the first in my family to attend college and I was adamant about getting myself there through scholarships. I achieved that dream, getting accepted to a university with an acceptance rate of 8% and being awarded a nearly full-ride scholarship to attend.

At NYU I’ve been able to take classes that range from Spanish to computer coding and data analytics, attend press conferences, and join the cheer team. I try to take advantage of the amazing opportunities available here.

NYU has campuses all around the world, and the one that interests me the most is their site in Athens, Greece. Their six-week summer program allows students to learn the Greek language and history, explore monuments and historical sites, and travel to the island of Crete.

I decided it was time to tackle another dream, so I applied and was accepted into the program for this summer! I’m beyond excited and I've already begun learning Greek and finding museums, and gardens I plan to visit.

Through the program I'll be studying the history of Greece, however I also plan to conduct my own research. Athens has a Mediterranean climate similar to my hometown in Sonoma County. When exploring this new country I’ll be reminded of home by the warm coastal winds and abundance of oak trees.

Given that California and Greece share similar climates, they also experience similar environmental challenges. Last July, Greece experienced a heatwave that ignited wildfires across the country, including the forest of Parnitha near Athens.

Fueled by my love for the environment and experience with wildfires I plan to pursue a career in the field of restoration ecology after college. In Athens, I intend to learn from the local community, working with organizations such as the Bodossaki Foundation and the Athens Environmental Foundation, learning how the community and government responded to the wildfires. I plan to bring this knowledge with me and implement solutions within my own community in California.

I have already applied for and received multiple scholarships for the trip, however, there is still a significant amount of the expense that I need to cover, which is why I need your help. If you are willing and financially able to help fund the trip I would greatly appreciate it. Your support will directly contribute to the tuition and housing costs.

I’m fully committed to this trip and making this dream of mine a reality and if you are interested in helping me along the way I would really appreciate it!

Plus I love making art and if you are interested I would love to make you something as a thank you for contributing!