Hi, my name is Jose Aguirre and I'm fundraising for my nephew Juan Felipe. Here is his story:

Hi everyone,

My name is Juan, and I recently received the life-changing news that I have been accepted into Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam to study Artificial Intelligence. This acceptance came as a huge surprise since I applied as a long shot, never truly believing I would get in. When I told my parents, they were incredibly proud and happy for me. However, the joy was quickly overshadowed by the reality of the costs involved.

I live in Colombia, where opportunities to study abroad are incredibly rare and difficult to attain. Despite these challenges, I have always been an excellent student, achieving the highest score in my admission math exam. My parents have worked tirelessly to support our family, but affording an international education is far beyond our means.

The tuition fee alone is $16,000, and with the estimated cost of living being another $16,000 per year, the total expense is about 100 times the minimum wage in Colombia, making it an insurmountable challenge for us.

That’s why I am reaching out through this GoFundMe campaign. Since childhood, I have dreamed of studying abroad and exploring the world. Despite the high costs, I decided to apply anyway, thinking, "It can't hurt." And now, I can hardly believe it—I got in!

In Colombia, there are limited opportunities for advanced studies in Artificial Intelligence. This field is still developing here, and I am eager to gain knowledge and experience in a more established environment. The prospect of leaving my home country, learning a new language, and studying my dream subject in the Netherlands is beyond thrilling.

My ultimate goal is to use my education in Artificial Intelligence to contribute to technological advancements that can benefit my community and the world. I want to pave the way for other students from similar backgrounds and show that with determination and support, anything is possible.

If this campaign succeeds, I promise to work hard to support my family and make my parents proud. Any donation, no matter how small, will bring me one step closer to realizing this dream.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can offer. I will continue to pursue my dream with all my heart.

With gratitude,

Juan