Support Sharjah M'Bodji's Study Abroad Dream

Hi everyone,

My name is Sharjah M'Bodji, and I am a 16-year-old Puerto Rican & Belizean young woman with a dream to study abroad. This coming January 2025, I have the incredible opportunity to spend my second semester of junior year in Johannesburg, South Africa. This experience means the world to me, and I need your support to make it happen.

I am a dedicated and self-motivated student who is the leader of five affinity groups, a leader of the Students of Color Matter Organization, a part of Fieldston’s Student Council as the Correspondent to DEI (Diversity Equity and Inclusion Division) during my sophomore year, and on the editorial boards of three publications, including the Fieldston News, The Sunseeker Newsletter, and GirlTalk Magazine. I have a 4.0 at my high school and have been a proud leader of the Yearbook club and the Fieldston for Reproductive Rights club for the last two years. Moreover, I have an after-school job, where I take care of kids from Pre-K to 5th grade from 3-5 PM every day after school, which has taught me time-management skills and a consistent work ethic. I mentored at two programs called Big Sis, Lil Sis, and Bridge to Bridge during the 2023-2024 school year.

In addition, I was a Black Birthright 2023 Scholar offered by the Tunstall Foundation, in which a select cohort of Black American Students travel to Africa (Senegal) to learn about our hidden history, experience the Continent’s rich culture, and develop a stronger sense of self and purpose. I have also devoted my Saturdays for the last three years to The Schomburg Center’s Junior Scholars Program, where I learn Black historical literacy through college-style lectures, presentations, and project-based learning.​​ I also participated in the third cohort of the Sankofa Young Women’s Leadership Program, where I embarked on a journey to advance my leadership skills and personal growth. In addition, I have received a Global Fundraising Award after raising $1500 during the 2023-2024 school year for my internship at Leadership Initiatives and participated in the Criminal Law & Trial Internship at Georgetown University during 2024 summer.

I am also interested in Photography and have taken 8 International Center of Photography courses since 2022. I am excellent at capturing the world through my lens and portraying the beauty I see in people. This past year, I was even awarded a Gold Key at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Moreover, studying abroad has always been a dream of mine. It’s not just about academics; it’s about experiencing a new culture, meeting new people, and broadening my horizons. As a student who values education and cultural exchange, this opportunity will allow me to gain new perspectives and grow both personally and academically.

However, funding a semester abroad is quite challenging. The costs include tuition, accommodation, travel expenses, and other living costs. That’s why I’m reaching out to you for help. Every donation, no matter the size, will bring me one step closer to achieving my dream.

Thank you so much for considering supporting my journey. Your generosity will not only help me academically but will also enable me to represent my Afro-Caribbean heritage on an international stage. Together, we can make this dream a reality!

With gratitude,

Sharjah M'Bodji and My Family