Help Paula graduate from University
Donation protected
My name is Paula Lara and I was once told by my dad that to dream big is the beginning of everything. And yes, he was right.
I am from Colombia and I am currently studying in Canada.
I applied to a university abroad not because I expected to get in, but because I was living out one of my life mottos: “The only thing worse than rejection is not knowing.” I didn’t want to wonder “What if.”
Lucky enough I got accepted to pursue a Diploma in Film at Capilano University in Vancouver, BC! I was beyond happy but I didn't realize that to achieve something so big you have to sacrifice so much in return. This graduate school focuses on team work and passion. It has helped me develop more skills as a filmmaker and human. I know its not and engineering or business degree but it is my passion and I am pursuing it.
With this degree, I want to tell stories and give a voice to those who don’t have one. I want to tell stories about life and maybe impact someone's life too. Movies are a huge part of my life and I just want to be able to finish my studies and stay in a country I have fallen in love with. Movies and tv have the power to make a massive difference in the world. They have the power to bring new ideas and transform the community so I want to be one of those who bring a positive message with it.
Until now, my family and I have been able to pay my international tuition that is 2 times more expensive than locals tuition. My parents and grandfather have been incredibly supportive and I feel so lucky because of it. However, now that I am in my last year we have run out of money.
The total cost of my last year is $30,827.02 CAD. I take care of my house expenses by working two jobs as a lighting technician on the film industry and with a part time job in Vans. So that part is 100% covered by me. I applied for financial aid at the university and was hoping that I would receive some help, but I didn’t because of limited funding for international students. Most of the funding offered isn't even based on financial need.
The reality is that the sum of what my parents, grandfather and I have spent in my education in the last 3 years is around $90,281.34 CAD. For this last year I was able to attend classes in the fall term with the condition of paying the first half of the tuition ($16,693.17 CAD) by December. My dad and I were able to give $4.000 CAD in September and we were hoping a big business deal would come into my dad's company. However, my home country of Colombia is in a huge national strike right now that has affected some business, that includes my dad’s company so that deal never happened. We already spent all of our savings, our credit cards are maxed out and we looked for every bit of financial help we could. In order to stay enrolled to finish my last year and also keep my student visa I need to provide what is missing of this term ($14.133.85 CAD) by the end of December and the cost of the second term ($12.693.17 CAD) by April to be able to graduate.
I wasn't sure about making a GoFundMe. I tried to look for other options available but this is literally my last resource and I was reminded by my dad that if I don’t put myself out there and ask for help, I won’t know what will happen. After all, the only thing worse than rejection is not knowing.
I know I've been lucky enough to be able to come to Canada and study for 3 years now. All of this has been also a product of persistence and a lot of work. I know how hard it can be to try to persue a dream and be stopped because of money. It’s not fair. So any support that I receive from this fundraising campaign will also be used to pay it forward by dedicating 5% to providing scholarships to other international students and another 5% will go to a rural community in Colombia that is looking for funds to improve their facilities.
My story is just one example of the power of commitment, tenacity and family support. My family's role in my life has been so significant that I’ve always said it's not fair how lucky I've been with them. If you are able to, please support me in any way, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your generous support!
Cheers,
-Paula Lara-
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. WHY ARE YOU ASKING FOR $10,000 CAD?
A: I know my debt is bigger but I am literally just looking for any kind of help. Regadless if I make the goal or no, I am going to be extremely grateful with anyone who donates.
2. WHAT ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS?
A: It would be easy for me to say that there aren’t scholarships out there for me, but that is not the reality. There are scholarships and grants, but they are difficult to come by as an international student. I have been scouring the internet for Colombian scholarships that do not hold the common requirement of attending a Colombian institution and for Canedian scholarships that do not hold the typical condition of being a Canadian citizen. For example, I went through a scholarship database that listed more than 1,000 scholarships and was able to identify five that I can apply for. I applied for as many scholarships as possible in the hopes of covering at least a term. Unfortunately most of the ones that I have found so far are valued at $1000 and they gave me one in my first year for $500.00 CAD. I also applied again for next term. However there is never a guarantee that I will get these scholarships and I will definitely not be able to secure the funds before the deadline so I’m also trying to raise money to cover at least what is missing of my fall term.
3. SOME PEOPLE RECEIVE MORE THAN THE AMOUNT LISTED. IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING WITH THE MONEY?
A: Receiving enough support to help cover what is missing of my fall tuition would already be unbelievable. If you would like to further support me for my spring term tuition, I would be extremely grateful but that is more than I could ever ask for. I also want to help more international students that are struggling with tuition, specially in the artistic area. And give something back to my country as well.
4. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATING?
A. I am in love with the film industry and I want to create something positive in it. I would love to create a Production Company that would give more opportunities to women and minority groups because I belive we need to tell those stories too. I want to give a voice to those who don’t have one. I also have some scripts I am pitching to different companies and executive producers.
I am from Colombia and I am currently studying in Canada.
I applied to a university abroad not because I expected to get in, but because I was living out one of my life mottos: “The only thing worse than rejection is not knowing.” I didn’t want to wonder “What if.”
Lucky enough I got accepted to pursue a Diploma in Film at Capilano University in Vancouver, BC! I was beyond happy but I didn't realize that to achieve something so big you have to sacrifice so much in return. This graduate school focuses on team work and passion. It has helped me develop more skills as a filmmaker and human. I know its not and engineering or business degree but it is my passion and I am pursuing it.
With this degree, I want to tell stories and give a voice to those who don’t have one. I want to tell stories about life and maybe impact someone's life too. Movies are a huge part of my life and I just want to be able to finish my studies and stay in a country I have fallen in love with. Movies and tv have the power to make a massive difference in the world. They have the power to bring new ideas and transform the community so I want to be one of those who bring a positive message with it.
Until now, my family and I have been able to pay my international tuition that is 2 times more expensive than locals tuition. My parents and grandfather have been incredibly supportive and I feel so lucky because of it. However, now that I am in my last year we have run out of money.
The total cost of my last year is $30,827.02 CAD. I take care of my house expenses by working two jobs as a lighting technician on the film industry and with a part time job in Vans. So that part is 100% covered by me. I applied for financial aid at the university and was hoping that I would receive some help, but I didn’t because of limited funding for international students. Most of the funding offered isn't even based on financial need.
The reality is that the sum of what my parents, grandfather and I have spent in my education in the last 3 years is around $90,281.34 CAD. For this last year I was able to attend classes in the fall term with the condition of paying the first half of the tuition ($16,693.17 CAD) by December. My dad and I were able to give $4.000 CAD in September and we were hoping a big business deal would come into my dad's company. However, my home country of Colombia is in a huge national strike right now that has affected some business, that includes my dad’s company so that deal never happened. We already spent all of our savings, our credit cards are maxed out and we looked for every bit of financial help we could. In order to stay enrolled to finish my last year and also keep my student visa I need to provide what is missing of this term ($14.133.85 CAD) by the end of December and the cost of the second term ($12.693.17 CAD) by April to be able to graduate.
I wasn't sure about making a GoFundMe. I tried to look for other options available but this is literally my last resource and I was reminded by my dad that if I don’t put myself out there and ask for help, I won’t know what will happen. After all, the only thing worse than rejection is not knowing.
I know I've been lucky enough to be able to come to Canada and study for 3 years now. All of this has been also a product of persistence and a lot of work. I know how hard it can be to try to persue a dream and be stopped because of money. It’s not fair. So any support that I receive from this fundraising campaign will also be used to pay it forward by dedicating 5% to providing scholarships to other international students and another 5% will go to a rural community in Colombia that is looking for funds to improve their facilities.
My story is just one example of the power of commitment, tenacity and family support. My family's role in my life has been so significant that I’ve always said it's not fair how lucky I've been with them. If you are able to, please support me in any way, I would really appreciate it.
Thank you so much for your generous support!
Cheers,
-Paula Lara-
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. WHY ARE YOU ASKING FOR $10,000 CAD?
A: I know my debt is bigger but I am literally just looking for any kind of help. Regadless if I make the goal or no, I am going to be extremely grateful with anyone who donates.
2. WHAT ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS?
A: It would be easy for me to say that there aren’t scholarships out there for me, but that is not the reality. There are scholarships and grants, but they are difficult to come by as an international student. I have been scouring the internet for Colombian scholarships that do not hold the common requirement of attending a Colombian institution and for Canedian scholarships that do not hold the typical condition of being a Canadian citizen. For example, I went through a scholarship database that listed more than 1,000 scholarships and was able to identify five that I can apply for. I applied for as many scholarships as possible in the hopes of covering at least a term. Unfortunately most of the ones that I have found so far are valued at $1000 and they gave me one in my first year for $500.00 CAD. I also applied again for next term. However there is never a guarantee that I will get these scholarships and I will definitely not be able to secure the funds before the deadline so I’m also trying to raise money to cover at least what is missing of my fall term.
3. SOME PEOPLE RECEIVE MORE THAN THE AMOUNT LISTED. IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHAT DO YOU PLAN ON DOING WITH THE MONEY?
A: Receiving enough support to help cover what is missing of my fall tuition would already be unbelievable. If you would like to further support me for my spring term tuition, I would be extremely grateful but that is more than I could ever ask for. I also want to help more international students that are struggling with tuition, specially in the artistic area. And give something back to my country as well.
4. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER GRADUATING?
A. I am in love with the film industry and I want to create something positive in it. I would love to create a Production Company that would give more opportunities to women and minority groups because I belive we need to tell those stories too. I want to give a voice to those who don’t have one. I also have some scripts I am pitching to different companies and executive producers.
Organizer
Paula Lara
Organizer
North Vancouver, BC