Hello everyone :) 

I have the privilege of having a once in a life time opportunity to travel to China this summer to help research pandas! I have been selected as the Hormone Analysis Intern for PDXWildlife. I will be graduating from the University of Minnesota in May and look forward to this internship.

This experience will be very special to me as a Conservation Biology major at the University of MN, and especially as a Chinese American Adoptee. I've always wanted to go back to my country of birth, but I have not had the chance to, until now.

My cultural identity is one of the main reasons I am thrilled to have this opportunity, but also of course the experience of more lab and field work will be great and a lot of fun and work! I'm hoping this will offer me more opportunities in the future, and I know I will learn a lot abroad.

I was lucky enough to receive this position because of my current work at the U of MN at the Bee and Pollinator Lab as a Undergrad Research Assistant. I have been working there for 3 years now, and now I am beginning to conduct my own research with native bees. I want my career path to be in conservation biology, focusing on research on endangered and threatened species.

To make this dream become a reality, I need to get enough money to help with the cost of the trip and my stay there. What I earn working goes for my current living expenses. Since I won’t be a student any longer this summer, I’m unable to get a loan or scholarship. Originally, my family was going to help with my expenses, but due to my dad’s ongoing major depression they are unable to help much given their unexpected financial hardship. He has not been able to work since June, was hospitalized much of the summer, and continues to struggle. My mom has been unable to work either due to caring for him and getting him to appointments. Also, they had to move into our condo from the house and she has had to get financial and insurance matters in order.

The internship is for the summer and I'll be there from May 27th to August 18th, 2017.

Estimated Trip Expenses:
$1200 plane ticket
$1500 living costs
$2500 program cost
$1000International Health Insurance
$1500 Health Immunizations

The first payment is due by February 7th, and more payments will follow.
People have encouraged me to do this GoFundMe page. If you can contribute anything, it is much, much appreciated!

Thank you,
Michelle