Help Alexandria chaperone American youth on a trip to Japan!
My Travel Story
I chose to go to Japan because I have a bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies with a background focused on Japan and Japanese language study. I also have experience working as a camp counselor at a summer camp and volunteering with youth and teenagers for the exchange program and various other 4-H/Extension activities, so I feel like this opportunity is a great use of my skills and experience. Currently I am a volunteer coordinator for the States' 4-H International Exchange Program and have been involved with their exchange programming on and off since 2009, including hosting Japanese students ourselves!
While abroad I will be:
On this trip I expect to also grow, be challenged, and learn so much about myself. But I can’t do it alone! There are many ways you can contribute to my goal, and I’ve outlined them on my personal campaign page. You can pledge your support through thoughts, social media shares, and financial donations! This fundraising mainly involves the remaining program fee, minor travel expenses, and covering childcare for my own children while I am gone so that my husband can keep working. It is a big stretch for our family but something that we all feel is extremely important!
Fundraising Goal Steps:
- Application and Program Fees - PAID
- Childcare Costs - PAID
- Food Costs - PAID
- Hokkaido Excursion - PAID
- Personal Travel Expenses - IN PROGRESS
- Other costs (Medical appt, travel supplies, etc) - IN PROGRESS
While I’m abroad I’ll be sharing my story on social media with the hashtag #S4H8wJapan2019. You can follow me on Instagram (@beyondalexandria) or Twitter (@bydalexandria), or check my donor page for updates!
I know I’ve made it to where I am today because of the amazing support in my life, and I hope you will join me in this next step. Please consider donating to my fundraiser, and sharing my story with others!
In Gratitude,
Alexandria Maurer
Updates
9-
Goal 3 Complete AND 1 Week Left To Go!
A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks that is making my emotions just spill out of my heart and my head nonstop lately. The biggest one is that not only have some loving friends and family surprised me over and over with generous financial support for my upcoming experience, but God continues to heap on the blessings in other forms!
I have now completed fundraising for Goal 3 (School Lunches for the first 4 weeks while in Tokyo), and received in excess of that goal so was able to start working on Goal 4, personal travel expenses. These have to do with buying the things I need for the trip right now, including luggage because I didn't have one to use for the large checked bag I need, personal toiletries so I don't take what everyone else is using at home, hiking shoes for the LABO camp I will be going to during the second four weeks, a rain jacket, and other supplies. I continue to work on fundraising while I purchase last minute stuff like compression socks for the flight, etc. I received a $50 scholarship award from the Carl Sheppard Memorial Fund through the OSU Extension office here, which I feel honored to receive.
Thank you again for all of your continued support and encouragement. This is some amazing life-changing stuff going on right now and I am really taking it all in stride - thank you thank you thank you! -
Cheesecake Fundraising And GOAL 2 COMPLETE!!
A month since the last update, and a lot of things have happened since then! I continue to prepare for the upcoming trip. I've completed all my initial contacts with the delegates and have added a whole bunch of cultural, language, and program information on our FB group for delegates and parents to use. We also completed the program conference call with everyone for group orientation and program overview.
However, the biggest news for me personally is that between the donations, some reimbursement funds I received for other volunteer work I did for the exchange program, some extra childcare work, and the profit from these fabulous cheesecakes I'm making/selling, I have finally completed Goal 2 - Childcare Costs!! That's $1200 that I have a lot of gratitude for right now. People are not only investing in me and my experience, but also investing in caring for my children while I'm away and that truly means so much to me.
Goal 3 (Food Costs) has to do with paying for my lunches during the first four weeks' stay in Tokyo attending the language school. 28 days until I leave for Japan, and I've begun a daily journal and planning for things like orientations, packing, and gifts. Goal 4 (Personal Expenses) has a lot to do with things that might come up during my stay that are outside the program costs.
Thank you for supporting me and making this entire experience possible! And please, consider participating in States' 4-H Exchange experiences in the future, it will change your life!
More Travel Information
Adventure Registry
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Earnings from Extra Work (A)
140Ashley and Family- Granted
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Excursion to Hokkaido
400Kanazawa Family- Granted
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Earnings from Extra Work (B)
75Family Friend- Granted
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Cheesecake Sales
150Ren, Reb, V, Si- Granted
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Donations to Fundraiser!
1,409RV, BM, SJ, SM- Granted
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Personal Savings
300From my own budget- Granted
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Campaign Ended
$ 250 USD
Total Donation Received-
30%
Funded -
$ 807 USD
Goal Amount -
0
Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Application Fee ($300) DONE
$ 0
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Program Fee ($500) DONE
$ 0
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Childcare ($1,200) DONE
$ 0
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School Lunches (4 Weeks, $250) DONE
$ 0
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Hokkaido Trip ($400) DONE
$ 0
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Personal Travel Expenses
$ 600
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Required Physical/Medical Documentation
$ 207
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Donor Rewards
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10 USD
I will take a photo of something you would like to see from my travels in Japan and send it to you!
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15 USD
I will mail a unique postcard from Japan to you in gratitude!
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30 USD
I will share a video on social media of me doing a unique Japanese activity: karaoke, tea ceremony, food tasting!
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50 USD
I will learn a recipe while in Japan and cook it for you upon my return! (Or video it for long-distance people.)
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100 USD
I will send you a special souvenir from Japan in thanks for your support!
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Funders
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Diane Sopjes Funded $ 25 USD
Mar 27, 2019 -
Lynda Zimmerman Funded $ 25 USD
Mar 06, 2019 -
Jan Leuchtenberger Funded $ 50 USD
Mar 03, 2019 -
The Reames Family Funded $ 50 USD
Feb 27, 2019 -
Robert & Theresa Silver Funded $ 100 USD
Feb 27, 2019
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