I’m a 17-year-old international student working hard on my third year of high school (in Finland), and I’m really scared I won’t be able to finish it. The last three years (which felt like it ended as snappy as a blink) was a long-term commitment, something my family and I planned carefully because education really matters to us. Giving up now would break my heart…but life obviously turns a blind eye to feelings, otherwise it wouldn’t have struck a bolt above our heads out of the blue like this.

My dad is under intense pressure at work. His superiors have been pushing him hard, and he often comes home completely exhausted. Lately, he’s developed insomnia, and some nights he barely sleeps at all. He’s told me honestly that he doesn’t know how much longer he can keep holding on to his job, and that fear hangs over our family every day.

At the same time, my mom has been very sick for almost a month. She’s a university professor, and we don’t know yet if she’ll be able to return to work. Watching someone who’s always been strong and brilliant struggle like this is incredibly scary, and the uncertainty makes everything harder.

To renew my student visa, I need to show proof of €9,800 in the bank. Without that, I can’t continue my studies here, no matter how close I am to graduating. I’m looking for a part-time job and saving everything I can, yet it only means a grain of sand compared to the giant sum that we’re expected to present.

This isn’t about extras or comfort. It’s about finishing my education and giving my family a little breathing room during a really hard time. If you can help, even a small amount, it truly means everything to me! And if you can’t, sharing this already helps more than you know.

Thank you for reading my post, kind stranger. I wish the best for you! (I'm not sure if I should give my real name or not, because this is my first time creating a fundraiser, but please refer to me as Jerry!)