Hello friends and family!

This Gofundme is a fundraiser for my Spanish immersion trip this August. The program consists of homestay accommodation, 3 meals a day, 18 hours of small group Spanish classes, an excursion to a local Maya cenote and a town orientation which includes a walking tour and welcome meal. A bicycle will also be provided for exploring the town.

Languages, cultures, and people have always been a special interest of mine, and my infatuation with them has only deepened as I have grown. I plan to learn as many languages as I can over the course of my life, however, growing up in Tampa has given me a unique exposure to Spanish. From a young age, the city has graced me with a beautifully large Spanish speaking community that has welcomed me into their spaces and inspired my fluency journey with open arms and encouragement. For these reasons, I gravitated towards Spanish and it became something that I grasped quickly and excited me to learn.

I now pursue these passions through my major in Cultural Anthropology and minor in Spanish at the University of South Florida! A Spanish professor of mine, Profesora Lugaro, has heavily supported my linguistic aspirations in our short time of knowing each other. She tells me how touched she is by my eagerness to learn Spanish and introduced this immersion program to me while helping me leave the country, because we both know that the most authentic way to acquire a second language is not within academia but within the culture itself.

With the help of these donations, I will be able to propel my Spanish education over summer break with teachings from knowledgeable Mayan professors in a country full of its rich history. This experience is one of a kind, and I appreciate any and all contributions. Thank you so so much!