To Survive and Thrive: My Path to Columbia University

Who am I, and why am I raising funds?

I was seven years old and curled up in my bed next to my mother when I saw her dragged away and beaten by my abusive father. Paralyzed and helpless, I was his next victim. Just a voiceless child, I could do nothing to save us. It was during that moment, at such a tender age, that I tasted the bitter reality of social injustice.

My name is Denis. I am a survivor of seventeen years of domestic violence. Statistically, I was expected to continue the cycle of transgenerational abuse, but I stand here today as an advocate for gender equality. Instead, I have transformed those seventeen years of trauma into a driving force to raise the voices of victims and survivors of gender-based violence. My experiences fuel a desire within myself to lead a new path forward. A path towards liberation and justice for victims and survivors of violence.

This year, I was accepted into the prestigious Dual BA Program between Sciences Po in France and Columbia University in New York, where I plan to major in Political Science and Human Rights. In nearly two years, I will move to New York City to study at Columbia University’s School of General Studies, which is specifically designed for non-traditional students. Sadly, the School of General Studies offers less financial aid opportunities than Columbia College. With a total cost of around $115,000 for tuition and living expenses, I still have a major financial shortfall even with the maximum aid grant.

Researching and understanding the political legacies that created the international landscape is crucial to my pursuit of equitable and impactful public policy. The Dual Bachelor's program at Columbia University in Human Rights Studies will give me the skills and knowledge to join the ranks of international advocates for change in gender parity and gender based violence. I am profoundly interested in pursuing a Bachelor's degree from Columbia and building on the legacy it inspires. In order to do this, I need your help.

Why is this cause important to me?

I want to show every victim and survivor of gender-based violence that it is possible to break the cycle, reclaim their voice, and fight for justice. My journey at Columbia University is not just an academic pursuit; it’s a statement that every survivor has the power to rise up, advocate for themselves, and drive change. Studying human rights at Columbia will bring me one step closer to my mission of countering gender-based violence and advancing the rights of women, children, and young boys. By challenging harmful gender norms and fighting toxic masculinity, I aim to redefine what it truly means to be a man—grounded in empathy, equality, and humanity.

Looking ahead, I aspire to become an international lawyer and establish an organization composed primarily of survivors of violence, empowering them as stakeholders and advocates. In parallel, I plan to litigate in the United States and France, working to provide pro bono legal representation to victims and survivors worldwide—much like the Clooney Foundation for Justice. This is my life’s mission, and I am determined to make it a reality.

How will the funds be used?

All funds raised will go directly toward covering my educational expenses. Along with more than $30,000 for housing, food, books, supplies, and other academic-related expenses, which rise annually, this covers about $25,000 for tuition. In total, my educational expenses amount to nearly $115,000.

What have I done so far?

My advocacy for gender-based violence survivors and human rights more broadly began early in my life. In ninth grade, I worked to improve access to quality education through volunteering with organizations like the Red Cross and joining student groups advocating for educational equity. This dedication took me to Romania’s Palace of the Parliament, where I worked to amplify marginalized voices, and to the Romanian Academic Society, where I investigated governmental corruption and lack of transparency in education policy.

This academic year, I became the first freshman at Columbia University selected as Editor-in-Chief of the Student Journal for the Study of Human Rights. I also contributed to the IE International Policy Review, publishing on the legal implications of post-World War I treaties and UN resolutions in the Middle East. These experiences mark the beginning of my commitment to advancing justice and ensuring that the rights of gender-based violence survivors are protected and fulfilled.

My national efforts earned international recognition. As a 2023 European Fellow on Youth Leadership with the Group of European Youth for Change (GEYC), a UN-affiliated organization, I contributed to the "Summit of the Future" consultations organized by the United Nations and represented GEYC at events like the United Nations Human Rights Event celebrating 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I also served as a youth ambassador with AGORA, helping achieve a historic 33.3% increase in youth voter turnout during Romania’s elections. GEYC recognized me as a "Changemaker" for these contributions.

What about the future?

By supporting me, you are investing in a future where no one has to suffer in silence. I will dedicate my life to advocating for gender equality and human rights—not just for today, but for generations to come. Every child deserves a safe home. Every mother, father, sibling, and friend deserves to live in a world where their rights are upheld and their voices are heard. This is the future I am fighting for, and with your help, we can make it a reality.

With a degree from Columbia, I will be one step closer to becoming a human rights lawyer and to create an organization aimed at countering gender-based violence. I am determined to hold perpetrators accountable and collaborate with other survivors and advocates to develop policies that protect and advance human rights. I am dedicated to seeing that vision a reality where children and women are secure from violence and human rights abuses and united we can aim for this.

After finishing this Dual BA Program, I am confident I will have the knowledge and networks needed to lead in advocacy. My goal is to stand alongside the champions of human rights, making a tangible impact in my community and beyond. With your help, we can turn this vision into reality, ensuring that my voice - and the voices of so many others - are heard loud and clear.

Long inspired by Nadia Murad, the Nobel Peace Laureate whose bravery in fleeing ISIS and sharing her compelling narrative as a survivor of gender-based violence, I got the amazing chance to meet her in 2023. Her tenacity and advocacy inspired me to realize that one person's bravery may change the world and boost my will to be a voice for someone else unable to speak for themselves. She delivered a strong message in our talk that really spoke to me: "Surviving is not enough; we must fight to thrive." Her statements reminded me of my own journey, from years of abuse to becoming an advocate for survivors. They strengthened my conviction that my battle is about building a future in which people may flourish rather than only about surviving. If financial obstacles stopped me from carrying on this path, particularly in light of the still much to be done to forward justice and human rights, it would be tragic.

How can you help?

Every donation, no matter the size, is a step closer to ensuring that my voice, and the voices of countless survivors, are heard. Without your support, I risk missing out on this life-changing opportunity to further my education and advocacy.

Your contribution will enable me to fulfill my dream of attending Columbia University as well as enabling me to keep on my advocacy of human rights and support of survivors of gender-based violence. Every donation, no matter the size, will bring me closer to making a meaningful impact in the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Kindly think about supporting and spreading this campaign among others who share your belief in the force of change, resilience, and education.