Hi! I'm Maggie and I'm a Chinese, Year 11 student and filmmaker here in Australia!

A few weeks ago, I was accepted into NYU's Summer Residential Program. But despite the immense honour, I knew that the hardest part of this absolute dream would be finding the funds for it. As an international student living outside of the U.S., I wasn't eligible for a scholarship from NYU- and being situated at essentially the other side of the world has made everything even more difficult.

This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime for me- and with school starting to pick up in its last few years- perhaps the last of this nature.

Nevertheless, my wildest dream has always been to travel to New York, and hopefully be privileged enough to pursue my passion: filmmaking. I promise with this opportunity to repay my fellow, aspiring filmmakers, and hopefully bring back everything I learn to help support them.

The main costs include program fees, housing, travel from Melbourne to New York, and essential living expenses- totalling to over $10,000 AUD- which is unfortunately way more than my family can expend. A contribution of any amount helps cover the costs that make this incredible opportunity possible, which I will, truly, forever, be grateful for.

From the bottom of my heart: thank you, for making my wildest dream (hopefully) somehow come true.