Tuition to Study in Beijing
Donation protected
At the beginning of March, I was accepted into SYA China. SYA China is a study abroad program that takes place at a prestigious Chinese high school in Beijing with several trips around China during breaks. The $56,000 is the amount that SYA requests to cover tuition, travel expenses, etc. I also found out that I did not receive any scholarships and though I qualified for financial aid, I was wait-listed. Therefore, I have to raise the full tuition.
I do not expect to raise the full tuition from GoFundMe alone. I will use this money along with financial help from my parents and I am still actively looking for outside scholarships / etc. If I cannot gather enough to pay for SYA's tuition, then I will look for a second study abroad program (though it is unlikely to find one at this point in the year, let alone a good one). If I am unable to study abroad next year, I will refund the money.
A little bit about SYA: the program lasts from late August to late May (9 months, which I misspoke as 8 in the video). The academic structure includes core classes in English and 2-3 classes in Mandarin every day and cultural classes. Students get to go on several trips all over the country during breaks.
I consider this opportunity to be the most important thing to happen to me. I cannot remember wanting anything as much as I want this. I would not ask people for money if this was not so important to me. This is an opportunity to bring my high school education to new levels and become fluent in Mandarin. I began learning Mandarin because I saw it as a challenge, and my admiration for Mandarin and Chinese culture grew as I learned more and more. But learning from behind a screen is not enough, I know that I have to go out and experience the world. Not just read about it. I know that I will make the most of my education there. I am very passionate about learning Mandarin, so much that I worked diligently enough to get a perfect grade in my first semester of Chinese class. I have experienced high school from one perspective for 3 years, and I long to understand a new view of education.
I am endlessly thankful to everyone who supports me! Those who support me are playing a crucial role in preparing the beginning of the rest of my life. I really cannot thank you enough.
Someone who would like to remain anonymous is willing to match funds.
I do not expect to raise the full tuition from GoFundMe alone. I will use this money along with financial help from my parents and I am still actively looking for outside scholarships / etc. If I cannot gather enough to pay for SYA's tuition, then I will look for a second study abroad program (though it is unlikely to find one at this point in the year, let alone a good one). If I am unable to study abroad next year, I will refund the money.
A little bit about SYA: the program lasts from late August to late May (9 months, which I misspoke as 8 in the video). The academic structure includes core classes in English and 2-3 classes in Mandarin every day and cultural classes. Students get to go on several trips all over the country during breaks.
I consider this opportunity to be the most important thing to happen to me. I cannot remember wanting anything as much as I want this. I would not ask people for money if this was not so important to me. This is an opportunity to bring my high school education to new levels and become fluent in Mandarin. I began learning Mandarin because I saw it as a challenge, and my admiration for Mandarin and Chinese culture grew as I learned more and more. But learning from behind a screen is not enough, I know that I have to go out and experience the world. Not just read about it. I know that I will make the most of my education there. I am very passionate about learning Mandarin, so much that I worked diligently enough to get a perfect grade in my first semester of Chinese class. I have experienced high school from one perspective for 3 years, and I long to understand a new view of education.
I am endlessly thankful to everyone who supports me! Those who support me are playing a crucial role in preparing the beginning of the rest of my life. I really cannot thank you enough.
Someone who would like to remain anonymous is willing to match funds.
Organizer and beneficiary
Abigail Berman
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI
Ann Berman
Beneficiary
