Nia has applied to attend AFS-USA Intercultural Programs this summer and is raising funds for her program fees. Can you help?
Nia
Nia
Interest:
Leadership
Grade:
11th
School:
New Haven Academy
Location:
West Haven, CT
Successfully funded on April 9th, 2017!
Fully funded!
$3,550 raised
$0 to go
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Nia
Nia's Story

My passion is foreign languages.

I discovered my passion for foreign languages by listening to music. There are many different types of music in the world. I listen to music in English, Korean, French, and Dutch. I think that it is interesting that I can listen to different artists from around the world, even without knowing what they are saying, but I still find a connection with the music. I also love the learning process and when I come to the obstacles of learning a new language it just becomes more fun for me.

Meredith
A Note from Ms. Gavrin, Nia's Teacher

At New Haven Academy, because we are a small school with a small staff, we offer only Spanish as a foreign language option. Nia has excelled in Spanish classes, but she is curious about the world and wants to learn other languages. Not only does Nia take a full academic course load at New Haven Academy (currently maintaining a 3.7 GPA), AND she takes a three-hour daily afternoon program at Educational Center for the Arts (as a Visual Arts major), but she also is pursuing foreign language study through the PIER Foreign Language program at Yale University. She has applied to take the classes through a scholarship opportunity offered to New Haven Public Schools students, and I have offered to help her cover the expenses of the textbooks for the class.

Campaign Activity
Nia
Nia posted an update
August 3
AFS-USA Study Aboard

This summer I went to Popayán, Colombia. Popayán is a small city, known as the "White City", it is surrounded by the Andes Mountain range. I had a great time walking around the town, talking with my host family and getting to know the others that were in my group from all over America. I learned so much more history about a place that I wouldn't be able to learn from the internet. One of my memories from my trip was when my host mom and host sister took me late night dancing, where I learned lots of knew dance moves. I also feel like I know more about myself and where I want to go in my future. I want to say thank you for supporting me in the this trip and it is an experience that I will never forget.
-Nia

My new group of friends next to the Cauca River.
My new group of friends next to the Cauca River.
This is a picture of me, my host sister (left) and host niece (middle).
This is a picture of me, my host sister (left) and host niece (middle).
This is a picture of me and another member of my group sitting on top of El Morro, a man-made pyramid.
This is a picture of me and another member of my group sitting on top of El Morro, a man-made pyramid.
Nia
Nia posted an update
May 10
AFS-USA Study Aboard

This summer I will be attending AFS-USA Study Aboard in Colombia. I am really excited to explore not just the language but the culture as well. In Colombia I will be living with host family and I will be traveling with AFS and trying new things that I have never done before. I am also excited to participate in these activities and make new friends with others who are doing this program with me.

Success! Ms. Gavrin helped Nia raise $3,550
April 9
Lucy Flynn donated $98
April 9

Have a great summer.

An Anonymous Donor matched this donation with $98

Ebonie Raphael donated $50
April 7

Wishing you the best of luck!

An Anonymous Donor matched this donation with $50

Celia Blackman donated $25
April 7

Follow your passion. We are all proud of you.

An Anonymous Donor matched this donation with $25

Laura Brennan donated $10
April 7

Enjoy every minute, Nia!

An Anonymous Donor matched this donation with $10

Shani Fuller donated $25
April 7

Go Nia!! I hope you're able to reach your goal!!

An Anonymous Donor matched this donation with $25

Marvin & Helaine Lender donated $250
April 4

An Anonymous Donor matched this donation with $250

Barry Nann donated $100
April 3

Your mentor, Ms. Gavrin, is a great inspiration to us all. Good luck!

Alan Rosner donated $100
April 2
Nicola Feldman donated $25
April 2
Lisa Nieves donated $50
March 31

Enjoy this wonderful opportunity! Best of luck in all your future endeavors!

Jessica Haxhi donated $50
March 27

Dear Nia,
International travel gives you the perspective to see everything with new eyes; speaking the language of the culture you are in allows you to access those experiences at a completely different level. Your passion for learning languages is evident and we hope you return to New Haven ready to share your experiences with your peers and teachers. May this be just the beginning of a wonderful lifetime of travel and learning! On behalf of all of the NHPS world language teachers, Bon Voyage, Buen Viaje!
Jessica Haxhi
Supervisor of World Languages
New Haven Public Schools

Sue Doubet donated $100
March 26
Heather Freeman donated $25
March 23
Simone Price donated $100
March 23

Love you Nia! Reach for the stars baby girl. So very proud of you. Muah.

Laura Cutler donated $10
March 22
Tatiana Garcia donated $25
March 22
Karen Murphy donated $100
March 22

Nia--Good luck! Global engagement is so important for everyone, but I think especially for American's. It helps us to understand other places, peoples, cultures and values, and it helps us to better understand ourselves and our actions and their implications. I believe in that post WWII vision of international peace and cooperation and that means truly developing relationships with people---not just telling them what to do in alignment with our national interest (it also means understanding their own). I work internationally, and it has changed and enriched my life immeasurably. I wish the same for you! Warmest, Karen Murphy

Jane Lee donated $100
March 21
Claudia Merson donated $100
March 21
Anonymous donated $25
March 21
Student Contribution donated $99
March 20
AFS-USA
AFS-USA donated $1,625
March 20
Meredith
Ms. Gavrin started this campaign
March 20
Nia
Nia was accepted into Wishbone!
February 1