My name is Kaiya Theune, and I am studying abroad! I have been obsessed with Australia for as long as I can remember; anyone who knows me knows this.

This upcoming semester, I have earned the biggest privilege of attending the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia! Traveling will open my eyes to different parts of the world, enabling me to gain new perspectives and learn new cultures.

This trip, though life-changing, is also self-funded. As lucky as I am to be taking this experience, the cost of traveling to such a place is on top of the tuition I pay at Hope College, making this experience more costly than anticipated. I have saved for this opportunity, pulled on my parents’ resources, applied for scholarships–and I’m left with $5000 as the balance.

So, I turn to you–my closest communities of people. Can you help me bridge the gap between my savings and the cost?

Ask anyone who knows me, and they will likely talk your ear off just as much as I would about my love for this country--and I've never even been! Exploring the culture, the beauty, and the nature will only better me and my education. I always strive to work towards the highest education I can earn, and I aim to do the same abroad. This experience will not only strengthen what I believe in and what makes me, me, but also cater to an educational experience that a rare amount of people can experience. I know the value of this opportunity.

With the help of community donations and well wishes for my travels, I know that studying abroad in Australia will only better me. I cannot wait to take on this challenging yet ultimately rewarding period of my college career.

Thank you for any help you can provide.