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JD's Mandarin Language Learning Journey

JD Nathanson Start Date: Dec 17, 2025 - End Date: Apr 16, 2026
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Guilin, Guangxi, China

My Travel Story

by: JD Nathanson Start Date: Dec 17, 2025 - End Date: Apr 16, 2026
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
Dear family and friends,

I wanted to share something very exciting; I’ve been accepted to study Mandarin at the Chinese Language Institute (CLI) in Guilin, China, and I’ve launched a FundMyTravel campaign to help make this goal possible. CLI has generously awarded me a partial scholarship, but the full program tuition remains out of reach for me at the current moment. 

For years, my work in animation and storytelling has centered on the idea that stories can bridge worlds. Chinese animation is rapidly redefining what’s possible in the industry both visually and narratively, and learning Mandarin is my way of stepping fully into that conversation.

I have been learning Mandarin through self-study for just over a year, building a curriculum and engaging in dedicated daily study. The intensive language program at CLI will allow me to take the crucial next step in this learning journey, providing immersion into a different way of seeing and creating. My goal is to return with not just language proficiency, but a deeper artistic vocabulary that lets me build creative bridges between cultures through film, writing, and worldbuilding.

If you’re able to support, I would be so grateful. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps fund my tuition, housing, and travel. And if you can’t donate, sharing the campaign with others who believe in creative and cultural exchange means just as much:

Thank you for believing in the power of art, language, and connection, and for helping me take this leap. I can’t wait to share the journey with you!

With gratitude and excitement,

JD Nathanson
  • Guilin, Guangxi, China
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