Last year I wanted to study abroad in Japan. Like many other things in my life, once I get around the idea, I know it's going to happen. I did all the steps, I applied for my college's scholarship and my preferred program, I was excited to tell everybody what I was going to do that next summer and they would even point out how my face would glow with just even speaking about it. In my family it's not very common to travel a lot, and much less outside of the Americas, so hearing about my plans made them feel inspired, like they were living the dream through me. They thought I was so brave for wanting to do something like this and they were willing to support it. This is a big deal for them, it's just not something we can do so easily, most of us plan our entire lives around our hometown and it's normal to live out your days in the same place. So for me to aspire to live and study in a foreign country and learn about another way of life seemed almost too good to be true. And it turned out to be so, even after getting my scholarship, there were many unaccounted expenses and a lot of financial blows due to health emergencies. In the end I wasn't able to go, but I was not discouraged. I said to myself "I'll make sure my family doesn't have to pay a single penny, because I'll work harder, I look for more resources, I'll apply to more scholarships, I'll do anything it takes to get me there". So here I am, asking for your help to make my dream come true, and I'll be taking everyone's hopes with me on my journey.