Hi! I am a sophomore at Mount Holyoke College in Western Massachusetts. I’m an independent student with no familial financial support, and I’ve recently been offered my dream opportunity to work in an incredible research lab over the summer at a hospital in Boston. This experience is exactly what I need for my future career in Psychology and Asian Studies, but even with Lynk funding provided by my college to fund my summer research, I’m unable to afford it because the program does not provide housing or accommodations.

My siblings aren’t able to contribute, and we are still relying on the limited funds my father left us when he passed away a few years ago. Besides them, I have no mother or relatives to contact for help. I’ve applied widely for external scholarships, but many aren’t available to me because of my international background. Last summer, my home country issued a war alert, which forced me to stay on campus and pay for unexpected housing costs, leaving me with even fewer savings.

I’m already struggling to cover tuition and basic living expenses during the school year, but I don’t want the absence of family financial support to prevent me from taking part in this opportunity that means so much to me. Any support—no matter the amount—would help me take this step toward the future I’ve been working so hard for.