Semester Abroad in Japan

yusuf elshahed Start Date: Oct 9, 2024 - End Date: Apr 8, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Kyoto, Japan

My Travel Story

by: yusuf elshahed Start Date: Oct 9, 2024 - End Date: Apr 8, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
Hi, my name is Yusuf, and I'm from Egypt. I am currently a second year Architecture student at Orange Coast College, but I am aimint to transfer to UCLA or UCB in the fall of 2025. I've worked really hard and had to overcome a lot of personal struggles to get to the position I am in today, academically and personally, especially since I'm in my second year of college as 17 year old international student.
I love my major, and I don't see myself studying anything else. The Architecture and Art departments are hosting a summer semester abroad in kyoto, Japan, from June 3rd to July 4th. On the architecture side, my favourite professor (who I've taken multiple classes with) will be teaching a history of Architecture class, but instead of doing it through a textbook, we would be experiencing the history of Kyoto in real life. On the Arts side, a professor will be teaching an Intro to Drawing/Water Colour class. Both of these are classes that I know I am going to ennoy and benefit from, especially taking the setting into account.
Unfortunately, it's going to be hard for me to pay this trip off, It's difficult to come up with that much money as a 17 year old international student, so my funding is limited. Help from my parents is also limited, since I am already getting plenty of help. Even though I am a community college student, since I'm not a citizen, I pay around $25,000 per year solely on classes, and that's without taking living expenses into account. So any help, no matter the magnitude would very beneficial.

Overall, I woulld absolutely love the ability to go on this trip. It will be very meaninful, educational, and inspiring. It would also give me a chance to connect with my professors and friends, who I'm very unlikely to see after that point, since I'll be transfering schools. This trip would be a dream come true for me.

:)
  • Kyoto, Japan

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