Please help me get to Thailand

Lauren Pierce Start Date: Feb 3, 2017 - End Date: Aug 2, 2017
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Thailand

My Travel Story

by: Lauren Pierce Start Date: Feb 3, 2017 - End Date: Aug 2, 2017
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
I've been accepted into the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, and I'm going to study in Thailand for a year, Aug 2017-2018!
Family, friends, and anonymous wonderful campaign donors, my name is Lauren. I'm 14 years old, and a Freshman in HS. 
I'm currently ranked top of my freshman class. I was recently inducted into the Junior National Honor Society and also received a Varsity athletic scholar award. 
My dad (Papa), passed away unexpectedly last year, and what makes this opportunity even more special is that he was Buddhist. I'm looking forward to embracing what he loved, first hand. Experiencing different cultures and the chance to travel abroad is rare, and I will savor every moment of this adventure. 
I will be staying with 3 different families while I'm in Thailand, so my room and board is covered, but there is still a hefty expense that the students family must be responsible for. Visa, passport, airfare, program fees, and money for extras.
I have a 9yo brother, and a 17yo sister, who leaves for college this year. My mom is doing her best to get my sister into college, while saving up for my trip to Thailand.
Any help is greatly appreciated! I will be blogging and updating throughout my journey, along with posting tons of photos, if you'd like to follow along. I'm practicing Thai daily, and hope to be somewhat fluent once I return home. 
This will be a growth experience for me and I can't wait to explore such a beautiful country!  
*Om Mani Padme Hum*
  • Thailand

Updates

1

  • June Update!

    June update!
    Hello! I'm less than 2 months from leaving for Thailand! I've received donations off-site, from friends and family, but I've been unable to update the campaign amount on this site. As of now, I still owe $2,800. I'm working weekends at a farmers market and little league concession stand and putting all my earnings towards my trip. I'm so excited!
    Thank you all again for helping me along the way!
    Above is a photo from last weekend at Rotary bootamp, Utica College. We decided on an "awkward family photo"! Haha. I'm wearing my official Rotary blazer. Can't wait to fill it will hundreds of buttons and things from along my adventure!