Our Amazing Year with Kseniya

For the past year, our family has had the absolute joy of hosting Kseniya, a brilliant 16-year-old exchange student from Kazakhstan. From the moment she arrived last August, she has brought so much light, curiosity, and warmth into our home here in Lyons and into our local community. Whether she was sharing her culture with us or just navigating daily life in Colorado, she has made an unforgettable impact on everyone she’s met.

The Next Chapter: Studying in Europe

Kseniya is heading back to Kazakhstan this May to finish her senior year of high school. She is incredibly driven and has a big dream: to attend university in Europe after she graduates in 2027. She has the grades, the work ethic, and the ambition to make it happen. However, there is one major financial hurdle standing in her way.

The Financial Hurdle

To secure a European student visa, international students are required to show "proof of funds" by depositing €5,000 into a government-approved blocked bank account. While the cost of living in Kazakhstan is lower than here in the US, local wages reflect that. Even if Kseniya works tirelessly at a summer job, saving €5,000 as a high school student in Kazakhstan is mathematically near-impossible.

How We Can Help

Tanya and I want to do everything we can to make sure financial borders don't stop this amazing young woman from reaching her potential. We are kicking off this fund with a €1,000 contribution of our own, but we are reaching out to our friends, family, and the community she has been a part of this year to help us raise the remaining €4,000 (roughly $4,400 USD).

Because she still has a year of high school left, we will be holding these funds in a dedicated, secure savings account. The moment Kseniya begins her university and visa applications next year, 100% of this money will be transferred directly to her required European student account.

What If Her Plans Change?

A lot can happen in a teenager's life over a year! If Kseniya ultimately decides to attend university in Kazakhstan, or if her educational path changes, 100% of these funds will still be gifted directly to her. The money will be used as a dedicated "education and life starter fund" to help pay for local tuition, textbooks, a reliable laptop, or the expenses of starting her adult and professional life. Regardless of where she studies, your gift is an investment in her future.

The Ultimate Goodbye Gift

As we get ready to celebrate her time here and say our goodbyes this May, many of you have asked how you can send her off well. Instead of traditional goodbye gifts, we are asking you to consider a contribution to her future. No amount is too small, and every dollar goes directly toward giving Kseniya the education she deserves.

Thank you so much for welcoming her this past year, and for helping us give her the ultimate parting gift!

With gratitude,

Gabriel & Tanya