Support Simone's Study Abroad in Berlin, Germany

Hello! My name is Simone Benn!

I am a sophomore at NYC iSchool, and this summer, I have an incredible opportunity to study abroad in Germany through C.I.E.E. which is a language and culture immersion program. For the month of July, I will be living in Berlin, learning the language, exploring the city’s rich history, and experiencing German culture firsthand. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Why This Opportunity Means So Much to Me

While I enjoy learning about other people's languages and ways of life, this trip is personal. My mother's background is German, and she is the first in her family to be born in the U.S. Growing up, I heard German phrases and stories about my family's heritage. Unfortunately, my grandparents passed away before I had the chance to meet them, and I have only met my older German relatives a few times when I was younger. Through the years, I’ve felt a growing desire to reconnect with my roots, learn the language more fluently, and truly understand this part of my identity.

(This is a picture of me at 5 years old in my mother's dirndl, a traditional German dress, from when she was a kid. And this is us now!)

Unfortunately, my school does not offer a German language class. Even if it did, I feel that true immersion in the German culture will allow me to pick up the language more quickly and more accurately. I know that this experience will help me grow not just academically, but also personally, as I step outside my comfort zone and embrace this adventure on my own.

Funding My Journey

I am honored to have received a substantial scholarship, which covers most of my $6,950 program tuition. However, I still need to raise $3,900 to cover my tuition balance, airfare, and a laptop to take with me.

The scholarship I was awarded is due in part to academic merit. I've worked hard to keep my grades at a 4.0. I am also very involved in several extracurricular activities, such as volleyball, basketball, and softball.

Studying abroad is something only 2% of high schoolers do, and I am eager to make this dream a reality. To help cover some of the costs myself, I am going to be offering my services as a babysitter as well as an artist! I am in no way a professional, but I've gotten pretty good at drawing portraits and could do a limited number for those interested. Here are some examples of my work:

How You Can Help

I would be so grateful for your support. Any donation, no matter how small, will bring me one step closer to making this opportunity possible.

Even if you can’t donate, sharing my campaign with friends and family would mean the world to me!

This experience is about more than just travel—it's a chance for me to grow, learn, and reconnect with my heritage in a way I’ve never been able to before. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for any support you can offer. I truly appreciate it!

Danke schön!

Simone Benn