Hi everyone!

My name is Desi and I'm a first-year student at Davidson College with a strong interest in Political Science and Educational Studies. This summer, I've been given the incredible opportunity to participate in the Davidson in Northern Ireland study abroad program from May 25th to June 25th.

This program focuses on the lasting impact of societal divisions, particularly across religious and political lines, within Northern Ireland, as well as how those divisions shape their education system. As someone deeply interested in education policy and equity, this experience would allow me to learn firsthand how history, identity, and policy intersect in shaping access to education.

My passion for this work is both academic and personal. Growing up in Chicago, I witnessed and experienced firsthand disparities within the education system, including long commutes to school and unequal access to resources. For the past few summers, I've worked with High Jump, a nonprofit organization that supports middle school students from under-resourced communities in pursuing academic opportunities. That experience as well as my two semesters at Davidson have strengthened my commitment to addressing educational inequality and pursuing a future in education policy.

Unfortunately, despite receiving some financial aid, I still have a remaining balance of about $3,000 for the program, in addition to the cost of flights which is something I am not able to afford on my own.

I've worked incredibly hard on my application for this program, and I am truly excited about the opportunity to learn, grow, and bring these experiences back to my academic and professional journey. This program would provide me with invaluable insight, mentorship, and real-world context that I hope to carry into a career focused on educational equity.

If you are able to contribute, no matter how small, it would mean so much to me. If not, sharing this page would also be incredibly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting!

With gratitude,

Desi Molina