Hello, my name is Zion Floyd, and I am a senior at Renaissance High School, the top-ranked academic high school in Detroit, Michigan. I was recently accepted into the Japanese Language & Culture program in Tokyo, Japan, through the prestigious CIEE High School Study Abroad Program. This June, I have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend four weeks immersed in Japanese culture, art, and language, applying the knowledge I've been building for over a decade.

Raised in the inner city of Detroit by my incredible single mother—a special needs teacher for Detroit Public Schools—I was diagnosed with autism at age four. At age five, I began teaching myself Japanese. My passion for the language inspired my mom to invest in private lessons, and in high school, I chose Japanese as an elective. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep love for Japanese culture, including reading manga, listening to Japanese music, and sketching Japanese-inspired art.

In addition to my academic pursuits, I am honored to be part of the RYSE Med (Readying Youth Scientists for Excellence) program at Henry Ford Hospital. This highly selective, long-term mentorship program chose me as one of 25 students out of 125 applicants. Through RYSE Med, I’ve had the opportunity to shadow doctors, explore various health and research topics, and engage in discussions about health equity. My group focused on studying racial disparities in opioid use treatment disorder, an experience that strengthened my understanding of social determinants of health and inspired me to continue addressing equity issues through my future endeavors.

Beyond academics, I’m an avid soccer player, a track-and-field athlete, and a sketch artist. You can see my artwork on Instagram at Lee_is_rael.

Now, I’m asking for your help to make this dream a reality. The total cost of this program is $11,000, which includes:

Program tuition: $7,950

Roundtrip travel expenses: Approx. $2,000

Incidentals (meals, transportation, etc.):$1,050

All donations go directly toward these costs and will bring me closer to experiencing the culture I’ve studied and admired my entire life.

Your support means the world to me. Whether through a donation, sharing my story, or offering encouragement, every contribution helps me take one step closer to achieving my dream.

Thank you for believing in me and supporting my journey.

Sincerely,

Zion Floyd

Instagram: Lee_is_rael

$ZincTheShinobi