Hi, my name is Gibran, and I’m excited to share that I’ve been accepted into CIEE’s Leadership & Service in Youth Development program in Santiago, Dominican Republic this summer!

This program focuses on leadership, service, and youth development, and it gives students the opportunity to learn alongside local communities while exploring Dominican culture, history, and social change. I applied because I want to grow as a leader, deepen my connection to the Dominican Republic, and learn how young people can create positive change in their communities.

Based on the strength of my application, I was awarded a $1,000 scholarship, which I’m really proud of. After the scholarship, I need to raise $4,900 to cover the remaining cost of program tuition and airfare.

The program tuition includes:

Housing and accommodations

Three meals per day

24/7 on-site support

International health insurance

Local transportation

All scheduled activities, service projects, and classes

This experience would mean a lot to me—not just as a chance to travel, but as an opportunity to learn, serve, and grow into the kind of person who gives back to others. Any contribution, big or small, helps bring me one step closer to making this experience possible.

Thank you so much for supporting my journey and believing in my education and future. ❤️

A little about CIEE: Founded in 1947, CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) is the oldest and largest nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization in the U.S., serving more than 400 U.S. colleges and universities, 1,000 U.S. high schools, and 35,000 international exchange students each year. If you’d like to learn more about the program, you can visit CIEE’s website .