Help Aydee Reach Her Spanish Dream

I am a junior at South Bronx Preparatory in New York City, currently enrolled in advanced classes including AP Literature, AP U.S. History, and AP Computer Science, as well as college-level courses in Screenwriting and Human Development. I also stay active in my school community: I’m the President of our Student Council, a Student Ambassador, and I also participate in track and field.

Learning languages is one of my greatest passions and most rewarding challenges. Although I was fortunate to grow up speaking some Italian and Spanish, becoming fluent in Spanish has been one of my biggest goals over the past few years. Fluency would allow me to connect more deeply with my family, improve my pronunciation, and express myself more clearly. Right now, my Spanish isn’t perfect, so communicating with my loved ones—who don’t speak English—can sometimes be a challenge. I often rely on gestures or tools like Siri to help bridge the gap.

The journey of language learning is confusing and at times frustrating, but it’s also deeply satisfying. My school no longer offers Spanish classes, so I’ve taken the initiative to study on my own through daily lessons on Duolingo and Babbel. I’ve also been trying to hold longer, more meaningful conversations with my family. While this has helped, I believe language immersion is the best way to rapidly improve and fully experience the culture and language I love.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve recently been accepted into the CIEE High School Study Abroad Program in Sevilla, Spain —a competitive, 4-week summer intensive language program. This incredible opportunity includes local homestays, immersive language classes, cultural excursions, and daily hands-on learning experiences. I know this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I don’t know if I’ll ever get another opportunity like it.

The total cost of the program is $6,950, which covers housing, meals, classes, transportation within the country, and travel insurance. Airfare will cost approximately $2,000. I’ve already used my own savings and scholarship money to pay $3,000 toward the total cost.

That’s why I’m reaching out to ask for your support. Any donation no matter the amount would bring me closer to this dream. Your generosity will not only help fund this life-changing experience but also support my growth as a student.

This journey will help me build deeper connections with my family, embrace a culture I admire, and pursue my academic and personal goals in a way that a classroom simply cannot offer. I will be forever grateful for your support.

Muchísimas gracias (thank you very much),

Aydee