Hello, my name is Blix and I live in Seattle, Washington and I'm a junior in high school. Recently I was accepted to study abroad through the CIEE organization in Barcelona, Spain!

I was lucky enough to have been granted a merit-based scholarship (of $1,450). However, it’s not enough to cover the entire program, the flight, and any emergency funding I might need. The tuition totals $7,250 plus an estimated airfare of $1,600. The deadline for raising this amount is in early April.

CIEE is a non-profit exchange organization that offers a summer intensive month-long language/culture program that will greatly improve my Spanish studies. It is more immersive than any education that I'll receive through high school and is the definitive next step in my Spanish learning journey.

Becoming fluent in Spanish is a big goal of mine, especially as it may relate to career paths I hope to take in the future. I am especially interested in International Relations. I’ve enjoyed being a part of Model UN club at my school and believe that learning about the world on a global scale is massively important.

I haven’t had the opportunity in life to travel abroad and immersing myself in a city far different than my own is bound to open new inspirations. I chose Barcelona because of its own unique culture, its majestic, awe-inspiring architecture, and its vibrant music and art scene. I am intrigued by the complex history and culture of Barcelona as well as the heavily artistic nature of the city - from Flamenco dance to the architecture of Gaudi.

This program will be life-changing in so many ways for me. Thank you so much for considering helping me make this amazing opportunity possible and for taking the time to read this!