Temba's Study Abroad - China
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Hi, I'm a sophomore at Swarthmore College and an international student from Zambia. I have the opportunity to take part in an immersive language study program in China this summer called Princeton in Beijing (PiB). The program lasts eight weeks and is the equivalent of two semesters of Chinese study.
What happened
I intended to pay for this program with help from our College's Academic Division Summer Funding program as well as a conditional need-based scholarship from Princeton in Beijing, the condition being that I apply for external funding. Although I was fortunate enough to receive $1000 in need-based aid from PiB, I did not receive the $4800 grant from Swarthmore College.
The Costs
The cost of the program is $6300, not including flights and food which are estimated to cost an additional $2000 to $3000. I have had two jobs on campus for the last year and a half and will be paying for flights and food with what I've saved thus far. In addition to this, I will be taking out a loan of $1500 from Swarthmore's International Student Center. The funds raised here will help pay the remainder of the tuition fee.
The Reason
I began learning Chinese at the start of my freshman year, and since I enjoy music as well I thought it would be fun to join Swarthmore's Chinese Music Ensemble, too. Over time I fell in love with both the language and the music and have decided to continue to pursue Chinese until fluency. The intensive learning environment that PiB offers will be hugely beneficial for my study of the language.
Thank you for considering donating to my GoFundMe. Please consider sharing this campaign.
What happened
I intended to pay for this program with help from our College's Academic Division Summer Funding program as well as a conditional need-based scholarship from Princeton in Beijing, the condition being that I apply for external funding. Although I was fortunate enough to receive $1000 in need-based aid from PiB, I did not receive the $4800 grant from Swarthmore College.
The Costs
The cost of the program is $6300, not including flights and food which are estimated to cost an additional $2000 to $3000. I have had two jobs on campus for the last year and a half and will be paying for flights and food with what I've saved thus far. In addition to this, I will be taking out a loan of $1500 from Swarthmore's International Student Center. The funds raised here will help pay the remainder of the tuition fee.
The Reason
I began learning Chinese at the start of my freshman year, and since I enjoy music as well I thought it would be fun to join Swarthmore's Chinese Music Ensemble, too. Over time I fell in love with both the language and the music and have decided to continue to pursue Chinese until fluency. The intensive learning environment that PiB offers will be hugely beneficial for my study of the language.
Thank you for considering donating to my GoFundMe. Please consider sharing this campaign.
About to emcee the 2019 Chinese New Year party
Getting dim sum with our Chinese professor
My first performance with the Chinese Music Ensemble
Getting dim sum with our Chinese professorMy first performance with the Chinese Music Ensemble
Organizer
Temba Mateke
Organizer
Swarthmore, PA