Help Me Write My Next Chapter in Prague This Winter!

Alexis Lazarte Start Date: Sep 3, 2025 - End Date: Dec 31, 2025
  • Prague, Czechia

My Travel Story

by: Alexis Lazarte Start Date: Sep 3, 2025 - End Date: Dec 31, 2025
Hello! My name is Alexis, and I’m a sophomore at Vassar College with dreams of becoming a cardiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon. This winter, I have the opportunity to study Social Psychology in Prague, Czech Republic (Czechia) through CIEE’s three-week J-Term program.

I’ve always loved traveling because it allows me to see the world through new perspectives, and this program is the perfect way to combine that love with my academic journey. Social Psychology will help me better understand how people interact, how culture shapes behavior, and how empathy and communication can be strengthened across differences. These lessons aren’t just meaningful to me personally, they’re essential to the compassionate kind of physician I hope to become.

As a first-generation, low-income Filipino-American student, opportunities like this mean a lot. I’m working hard to graduate early so I can take a gap year to gain clinical hours and save for medical school. To make it all possible, I currently juggle four jobs (two on campus and two in my hometown), volunteer at a local clinic, and serve as both Treasurer of Vassar’s Catholic Community and Event Coordinator of our Asian Student Alliance. I also help my family by covering bills or general household expenses, and even care for our cat, Sebastian.

Despite all this effort, the cost of studying abroad is still more than I can manage alone. With your support, I can turn this dream into reality—gaining invaluable academic credit, global perspective, and personal growth that will stay with me long after I return from Prague.

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps me get closer to this opportunity. Thank you so much for reading and for supporting me on this journey!
  • Prague, Czechia

Updates

2

  • Additional Anonymous Donation

    Additional Anonymous Donation
    Just received another $200! Made it over a quarter of the way there! Thank you so much everyone! Here's a picture of me with my bible study group from last year!
    ?>

  • CIEE GAIN Travel Grant

    CIEE GAIN Travel Grant
    I just applied to CIEE's Travel Grant of $500. Praying that I'll get it
    ?>

More Travel Information