Movement Exchange - A Chinese Dancer's first move to change

Gracie Wang Start Date: Feb 28, 2018 - End Date: May 28, 2018
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My Travel Story

by: Gracie Wang Start Date: Feb 28, 2018 - End Date: May 28, 2018
My name is Gege Wang and I am currently a second-year graduate student at Teachers College, Columbia University. I am the current President of Columbia China Dance, which is an official Chinese dance club on Columbia campus.
Movement Exchange at Barnard is an organization that works locally and internationally to teach dance to children in need of supportive surroundings and reliable, encouraging role models. Come this May, a group of students from Barnard College, Columbia University will be traveling to Panama to teach dance to children in orphanages and youth foundations, teach and take class at the University of Panama, learn from local dance professionals, and discover the history and culture of Panama through its dance traditions as a part of an international dance exchange.
I feel so excited about being able to become a part of it. Dance has given me an outlet to develop my self-confidence, self-expression, cultural awareness and so much more. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share these principles with children while serving a community in need. By creating a safe environment for artistic expression and communication, I hope to foster a greater sense of self-esteem, cross-cultural understanding, and community building with the youth I will be teaching. Especially, I will develop my curriculum by combining Chinese dance traditions since the kids in Panama might have little chance to get access to this exotic dance form.
I would be beyond grateful if you would support me in this journey by making a monetary contribution to the trip. The total cost is $1,390 which includes a program fee, passport, and food, lodging and ground transportation for the week. I am conducting on-campus fundraisers such as bake sales and open dance classes for small fees. However, I will definitely need additional support. Thank you so much for your support in my endeavors!
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