みなさん、こんにちは! (Minasan, konnichiwa!) Hello, everyone! My name is Ki’esha, but for short, I go by Ky. I am so thrilled and even a (bit nervous to share), but I am so proud to say that I’ve been accepted to study abroad in Japan this fall semester at Yamanashi Gakuin University through WorldStrides!! 
Being offered this type of opportunity means the absolute world to me because my interest in Japan isn’t something that sparked overnight, but something that I have manifested for a very long time. After having the chance to visit Japan, I completely fell in love with the culture, the atmosphere, and the people. Because I was given that experience, I was able to envision myself learning the language firsthand and being able to fully immerse myself within the culture. 
Now I finally have the chance to turn a big dream of mine into reality! As a current full time marketing student, studying abroad will help me to strengthen my Japanese skills, gain a deeper understanding of international business practices, and prepare me for a successful global career in international marketing. The total cost of the program is $18,950, which includes tuition, housing, and program fees. 
While I have applied for scholarships, those funds won’t be disbursed until later and aren't guaranteed but I want to stay hopeful. However, I’ve been working hard and saving as much as I can. Balancing being a full time student, while also covering rent, utilities, and daily expense has made it challenging to save on my own. That’s why I’m reaching out for support! Any donations, no matter how big or small, are greatly appreciated from the bottom of my heart! Even if you can’t donate, just sharing my story with friends and family is also appreciated, as it helps me get closer to this life exchanging experience.
Being given this type of opportunity means much more to me than just studying abroad, but it helps me take a step towards closer towards my independence, my personal growth, and the future I’ve been working so hard to build!
