Support My Exchange to South Korea!

Denise Garcia Start Date: Jul 25, 2022 - End Date: Nov 24, 2022
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Seoul, South Korea

My Travel Story

by: Denise Garcia Start Date: Jul 25, 2022 - End Date: Nov 24, 2022
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
*** If you wish to donate please do so at the provided link below! I changed donation platforms due to higher visibilty rates and lower site fees ***
New GoFundMe Campaign

About Me
Hi everyone! First, I would like to thank you for considering a donation to help me study abroad. My name is Denise, and I am a Senior at Lamar University in the process of completing my Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising at the end of this semester. Go Cards!

Why I Started This Fundraiser
I was accepted into the exchange program at the Seoul National University of Science and Technology (SeoulTech) in Seoul, South Korea for the Fall of 2022. After financial aid disbursement, I will still need funds to cover travel-related and living expenses for about four months. I was given the opportunity to study abroad a little later than most students, resulting in missing out on large scholarship opportunities that were available to others earlier in the year.

I am originally from a small town in Southeast Texas. My mother worked very hard as a caretaker for 30 years, and now focuses on growing her small baking business from home. My father experienced a challenging health issue for several years that unfortunately prevents him from having a stable job. Over the past several years, I have been helping my parents maintain our household by assisting with bills and smaller home expenses with my student salary whenever I can. 

Why I Deserve Your Support
Earlier this year, I was awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, a prestigious national scholarship granted by the U.S. Department of State to recipients chosen through a competitive and rigorous selection process. I am 1 of nearly 3,000 U.S. undergraduate students to receive the Gilman award from the March 2022 application. Not only was I 1 of 3,000 nationally awarded this year, but I am also the ONLY recipient at Lamar University in about 7 years! Although I was not granted the full award amount, this accolade comes with great pride and appreciation. The funds awarded to me helped cover the airline ticket and miscellaneous fees that came from the visa process. 

Why I Chose South Korea
I have never had the chance to study abroad, and participating in Lamar-SeoulTech's exchange program in Seoul will allow me to excel academically and professionally, as well as allow me to immerse myself in a new culture. One of the main reasons why I chose South Korea was for its innovative beauty and the language learning opportunity. This rich cultural immersion will grant me the ability to gain proficiency in the Korean language that will prove beneficial for building my portfolio. Post-graduation, I want to lead my career towards the intersection of fashion and music entertainment business. 

Student Involvement on Campus
I am an active member of the Lamar University Hispanic Society and hold a founding membership in the largest organization on campus. As a member of LUHS, we help spread awareness of first-generation Latino issues and Latino culture around our upcoming HSI campus. I also served one year as a Resident Assistant in the freshman hall. Selected as 1 of 5 Resident Assistants for Freshman Housing, the most rigorous dorm, and the main housing office for Housing & Residence Life, I supervised a group of approximately 80 students in my building and maintained community development through regularly scheduled programming.

I also was a student assistant at the Undergraduate Center, helping incoming freshmen and transfer students ease into the university paperwork process. In both student positions, I served as an unofficial translator for Spanish-speaking students and parents. Seeing the language gap in higher education further solidified my love of language learning and helped me recognize the importance of knowing more than one language.  

Final Words
Through many obstacles, I have become a driven individual and I continue to reach for excellence in my remaining time at Lamar University. I can now look forward to the new adventures that will come from attending SeoulTech and post-graduation life. Receiving additional financial assistance would allow me to focus on complete cultural immersion and the wonderful experiences that will come from finishing my collegiate career in Seoul.

Thank you!

  • Seoul, South Korea