Help Gabriel Study Abroad in Japan
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Hi! My name is Gabriel Sims, a current junior at New Roads High School, and I am so excited to share this great news: I have been awarded the Japan America Friendship Scholars Scholarship for YFU’s Summer Exchange Program 2021 in Japan. This is a merit-based scholarship for global ambassadors to promote endeavors on foreign exchange. I am extremely grateful that I have been given this opportunity to pursue my dreams of studying abroad in Japan.
My interest stems from family heritage and future aspirations. My grandfather became fascinated with Japan when he was stationed there during the Korean War and as a journalist for the 1964 Olympics. My parents, who are artists, also take inspiration from Japanese art and culture. I have been taking Japanese courses at Santa Monica College and have been studying the language for several years. So much about the country interests me: the rich culture and history, quite different from the US; the language, which is unique and intellectually stimulating; the lifestyle, where people treat each other and their surroundings with a respect not often seen in the US; and much more.
About the Program:
The program I have been accepted into is run by Youth For Understanding (YFU), and is a 6 week homestay program with a host family in Japan, where students experience Japanese culture and lifestyle firsthand, helping students gain a more global perspective.
The scholarship I have been awarded is called The Japan America Friendship Scholars (JAFS) Scholarship. It is a purely merit based scholarship that “is state-funded and aims to further Japan-American relations by helping motivated American students learn the language and culture of Japan” for global ambassadors. This scholarship additionally requires me to write an essay after the program to the Japanese government encouraging further funding of exchange programs such as this. The scholarship also asks me to share the knowledge and experiences I will gain with the community at large. After the completion of the program, I will organize a Global Youth Summit with a moderated discussion (including language translators) between high school age youths internationally to talk about issues that affect all of us. This forum has the potential to redefine the way we go about interacting with global peers with the additional goal of inspiring people near me in Santa Monica CA to create actual change.
How Can You Help Me?
This has been a dream of mine for a while, but in order to realize this opportunity, I still need to raise $4,500 by March 30th, or I will be unable to go. This is to cover expenses, program fees, and everything not covered by the JAFS scholarship. I would really appreciate it if you could donate, but totally understand if you can’t. But if you can, however much it might be—every little bit counts! $5, $10, $20, $50...it all adds up!
Rewards
For all of my donors, I have something in store for each and every one of you! I will be sending weekly video updates from Japan letting you know what I've done for the week, who I've met, what I’ve learned, and more, thanking you once again, and showing you bits and pieces of Japan’s beauty. In addition, if you donate $100 or above, I will be hosting a zoom salon after the program to share and discuss my experiences in Japan.
Lastly, If the program is cancelled for any reason, such as COVID-19, I will refund all the donations in full.
Thank you for taking out the time to visit my GoFundMe page, even if you're not able to donate, pass it along, share it on social media, and maybe someone you know can!
Please join me in supporting my dream.
-Gabriel Sims
My interest stems from family heritage and future aspirations. My grandfather became fascinated with Japan when he was stationed there during the Korean War and as a journalist for the 1964 Olympics. My parents, who are artists, also take inspiration from Japanese art and culture. I have been taking Japanese courses at Santa Monica College and have been studying the language for several years. So much about the country interests me: the rich culture and history, quite different from the US; the language, which is unique and intellectually stimulating; the lifestyle, where people treat each other and their surroundings with a respect not often seen in the US; and much more.
About the Program:
The program I have been accepted into is run by Youth For Understanding (YFU), and is a 6 week homestay program with a host family in Japan, where students experience Japanese culture and lifestyle firsthand, helping students gain a more global perspective.
The scholarship I have been awarded is called The Japan America Friendship Scholars (JAFS) Scholarship. It is a purely merit based scholarship that “is state-funded and aims to further Japan-American relations by helping motivated American students learn the language and culture of Japan” for global ambassadors. This scholarship additionally requires me to write an essay after the program to the Japanese government encouraging further funding of exchange programs such as this. The scholarship also asks me to share the knowledge and experiences I will gain with the community at large. After the completion of the program, I will organize a Global Youth Summit with a moderated discussion (including language translators) between high school age youths internationally to talk about issues that affect all of us. This forum has the potential to redefine the way we go about interacting with global peers with the additional goal of inspiring people near me in Santa Monica CA to create actual change.
How Can You Help Me?
This has been a dream of mine for a while, but in order to realize this opportunity, I still need to raise $4,500 by March 30th, or I will be unable to go. This is to cover expenses, program fees, and everything not covered by the JAFS scholarship. I would really appreciate it if you could donate, but totally understand if you can’t. But if you can, however much it might be—every little bit counts! $5, $10, $20, $50...it all adds up!
Rewards
For all of my donors, I have something in store for each and every one of you! I will be sending weekly video updates from Japan letting you know what I've done for the week, who I've met, what I’ve learned, and more, thanking you once again, and showing you bits and pieces of Japan’s beauty. In addition, if you donate $100 or above, I will be hosting a zoom salon after the program to share and discuss my experiences in Japan.
Lastly, If the program is cancelled for any reason, such as COVID-19, I will refund all the donations in full.
Thank you for taking out the time to visit my GoFundMe page, even if you're not able to donate, pass it along, share it on social media, and maybe someone you know can!
Please join me in supporting my dream.
-Gabriel Sims
Organizer
Carole Silverstein
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
