Please help Maddalena study in Mérida!

Hello friends, family and community! I have been accepted to study with CIEE abroad in Mérida, Mexico for a month this June! While I was given a competitive scholarship, it won’t be enough to cover the entire program and the flight. I am hoping to be able to raise enough money to be able to attend this program!

I’ve always wanted to speak Spanish fluently. My family lost the Spanish language because of assimilation and I really want to regain the language to strengthen the cultural connections my family has lost. My biological father is Mexican however, because of his absence from my life, I have never had the chance to connect with any of my Mexican family or my Mexican culture. I feel that if I had the opportunity to connect with other Mexican people and immerse myself in the language and culture, this would have a large impact on my confidence as a Latina.

I know I would develop a sense of independence in my life and be able to explore being on my own through this trip. I know that if I am able to have this experience, I would do everything I could to make it a success. I know it would give me different perspectives on life. I also know there might be struggles but I am a very resilient person- I’m not afraid of a challenge!

Having this experience would open my horizons to new opportunities, new environments, new friends and reconnect me with my roots and ancestors. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!