Help me follow my grandmother's footsteps to study in Japan

Dana Asemota Start Date: Jan 11, 2025 - End Date: May 10, 2025
  • Japan
  • Ibaraki, Japan

My Travel Story

by: Dana Asemota Start Date: Jan 11, 2025 - End Date: May 10, 2025
My blog to keep updated with me

Hello! My name is Dana, and I’m a 16-year-old high school junior with a big dream: I want to study abroad in Japan for my senior year. This isn’t just a fleeting idea, it’s something I’ve been passionate about for as long as I can remember.

Growing up, I was fascinated by history and culture. I loved learning about different places and imagining life in faraway lands. One day, I discovered something amazing: my grandmother had traveled to Japan when she was young. I thought it was the coolest thing ever! I would always sit by her and beg her to tell me stories about her adventures.

She would describe the beauty of the cherry blossoms, the kindness of the people she met, and the incredible sights she saw. Her stories painted such a vivid picture of Japan that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the country. It wasn’t just about the places she went; it was how she described the feeling of being there—the culture, the language, and the traditions.

Inspired by her stories, I decided to take my love for Japan a step further. I started teaching myself Japanese so that one day, I could experience Japan just like she did. Learning the language brought us closer, I would practice speaking Japanese with her, which became our special way of connecting. It made me dream even more about walking the streets of Japan, speaking the language, and seeing everything for myself.

But life hasn’t made it easy to chase that dream. My family has faced tough challenges. My mom is a single mother who works two jobs to support us. She’s an incredible woman, balancing everything while also taking care of my younger brother, who has special needs. She’s my biggest cheerleader and has always encouraged me to dream big, even when we couldn’t see how to make those dreams happen.

My mom wants nothing more than for me to have this opportunity, but the reality is, we just don’t have the funds to make it work. As much as she’d love to send me to Japan, it’s simply out of reach with everything on her plate.

I’ve been working hard to apply for the scholarship of the program I want to apply to, but I know it won’t be enough to cover all the expenses, program fees, travel costs, accommodations, and more. That’s why I’m reaching out for help.

Studying abroad in Japan isn’t just about seeing a new place. It’s about connecting with a culture that has inspired me for years. It’s about personal growth, pushing myself outside my comfort zone, and experiencing a world I’ve only dreamed about. I want to honor the stories my grandmother shared with me by creating stories of my own.

Your support, no matter how big or small, would mean everything to me. It would help turn this dream into a reality and give me a chance to learn, grow, and bring a piece of that experience back with me to share with others.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story. I’ll never forget your kindness and generosity. ありがとうございました！(Arigatou gozaimasu!)

With love and gratitude,
Dana
  • Japan
  • Ibaraki, Japan

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