A MOTHER'S NOTE
My beautiful daughter Cleo has a dream.
As her mother, I want to show her that anything is possible with family and community support - even when it doesn't seem possible at first.
Traveling to another country can be truly life-changing. It expands our understanding of the world - its cultures, languages, histories, and customs - and, in doing so, deepens our appreciation for our own place within it. These experiences make life feel larger and more spacious. They invite curiosity, mindfulness, and a stronger sense of connection to who we are and who we might become.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to help facilitate thiss experience for Cleo - with your help.
Cleo is a calm, level-headed, creative, intelligent, and determined young woman. She is an avid equestrian, loves archery, plays guitar, makes things with her hands, and has a deep passion for learning languages and exploring the world. When she became interested in Korean culture, she didn't dabble - she committed. She began studying on her own, found a tutor, and now takes weekly lessons. She can read and write Korean and spends hours filling notebooks with careful practice.
Just a couple months ago, she discovered a summer language program in Seoul, South Korea - and her mind was blown. At first she was almost afraid to say how deeply she wanted to go. It felt so far away, so big, and perhaps out of reach given where we are in our lives right now.
That moment woke the mama bear in me.
Cleo is truly one of the most kind, gentle, hardworking, and grateful young people I know. She helps me run our household. She cooks, cleans, takes care of our animals, studies diligently, creates endlessly - and somehow does all of this with grace and humility. She loves all creatures (and is even bravely overcoming her fear of spiders with her new pet jumping spider Frederico).
If this extraordinary young woman wishes to travel across the world to deepen her language skills and experience another culture firsthand, then I am going to do everything in my power to help make that happen.
If you feel called, I invite you to join me in showing Cleo that dreams do come true -and that community can carry us farther than we ever imagined.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Inter-K Summer Language Camp is a structured educational program held in Seoul, South Korea, designed for students ages 14-18. The program combines intensive Korean instruction with cultural immersion, including workshops, excursions, and daily interaction with Korean students. Participants live together in a supervised student residence, with staff on site 24/7, and follow a thoughtfully organized schedule that balances learning, cultural exploration, and independent growth. The goal of the program is not only language development, but also global awareness, confidence, and meaningful cross-cultural experience.
HOW THE FUNDS WILL BE USED
The total cost for Cleo's summer language experience in Seoul is approximately $4800.
We have already paid the $500 program booking deposit, bringing the remaining program balance to $3300, which must be received by the program by the end of February in order to complete the international wire transfer by March 1.
Program costs include:
-Intensive Korean language instruction
-Cultural workshops and organized excursions
-Program transportation and materials
-Three meals per day during the week
Additional Expenses we are raising funds for include:
-Round-trip airfare to and from Seoul
-Weekend meals
-Local transportation
-Modest spending money for free time and incidental expenses
Any funds raised will go directly toward supporting Cleo's educational experience and ensuring she can participate fully and comfortably during her time abroad.
WHY COMMUNITY SUPPORT MATTERS
This opportunity is made possible through community support. While we are contributing what we can as a family, we are grateful for any help in bringing this experience to life for Cleo. Every contribution, message, or share is sincerely appreciated.
A NOTE FROM CLEO
Hello, my name is Cleo. I'm a 17 year old homeschooler from a small town in Northern California, and I've recently been given the opportunity to attend a summer language study program abroad in Seoul, South Korea. It would truly be a dream come true for me to be able to go.
I've had a fascination with linguistics for as long as I can remember. At the beginning of 2025, I decided to start studying the Korean language just for fun and to challenge myself. About month in, I realized how much I genuinely enjoyed it and wanted to take my studies more seriously. I found a tutor last March and began weekly lessons, and since then my love for the language has only grown.
As I continued learning, I started dreaming about visiting Seoul - but I assumed it was something that would have to stay on a distant bucket list. That changed when I discovered Inter-K, a three-week language study program for teens that combines daily intense language classes with cultural experiences and field trips. The moment i learned about the program, I knew I had to try to make this opportunity a reality.