Hello, my name is Jonathan Lopez Lara, and I am a junior in high school. Recently, I have been granted a one-time opportunity for a life-changing experience: to study abroad in Rome, Italy, for 4 weeks to learn about its language and culture through the program CIEE.

Ever since an early age, I’ve been influenced by my mother, who was always eager to travel, but we never had the financial status to do so. Yet, she would talk for days on end about the history of Europe and how fascinating it was, and her passion eventually grew onto me. This sparked my goal to experience life in Europe, where I could recognize the differences in culture and perspectives.

When I found out that CIEE could make this dream possible, I didn’t waste time to apply. Thanks to a miracle, I was accepted, and I was lucky to be awarded a generous scholarship: $6,705 out of the $7,450 needed.

I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship, but unfortunately, I still lack the funds to cover the remaining tuition balance and the plane ticket. If I am able to study abroad to Italy, I will gain invaluable experiences:

I will experience life outside of the USA for the first time.

I will finally gain the cultural awareness I’ve lacked my whole life.

I will learn about the culture that builds the beautiful country of Italy, which fascinates me.

I will meet new people and share our different perspectives on life.

This opportunity is a path to personal and academic growth. It will be an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Update: College Depot were kind enough to fund for my plane Ticket.

Spanish

Hola, mi nombre es Jonathan Lopez Lara, y estoy en el tercer año de secundaria. Recientemente, se me ha concedido una oportunidad única para una experiencia que me cambió la vida: estudiar en el extranjero en Roma, Italia, durante 4 semanas para aprender sobre su idioma y cultura a través del programa CIEE. 

 

Cuando descubrí que CIEE podía hacer posible este sueño, no perdí el tiempo en aplicar. Gracias a un milagro, me aceptaron, y tuve la suerte de recibir una generosa beca: 6705 dólares de los 7450 dólares necesarios. Estoy increíblemente agradecido por esta beca, pero desafortunadamente, todavía me faltan los fondos para cubrir el saldo restante de la matrícula y el boleto de avión. 

Si puedo estudiar en el extranjero en Italia, ganaré experiencias invaluables: Experimentaré la vida fuera de los EE. UU. por primera vez. Ganaré la conciencia cultural que me ha faltado toda mi vida. Aprenderé sobre la cultura que construye el hermoso país de Italia. Conoceré gente nueva y compartiré nuestras diferentes perspectivas sobre la vida. 

 Esta oportunidad es un camino hacia el crecimiento personal y académico. Será una experiencia que llevaré conmigo por el resto de mi vida.  

Actualización: College Depot tuvo la amabilidad de financiar mi billete de avión.