19.26

For those of you who haven't known me yet, I have a short story to tell.

I was born 18 years ago, then raised in a small city named Banyuwangi. This city is located in Indonesia, to the west of Bali. I have my mom, my dad as well as my sister who have always been supporting me since the time I was born. I am the youngest of two, and my sister and I had always been enjoying our time fighting as kids.

Talking about my education life, I started it in kindergarten. However, my parent was planning not to give me my kindergarten life, but instead directly sent me to elementary school. "It costs too much, and you don't really need it," that's what they said. At that time, I didn't really care anyway. Nevertheless, God might has a different plan. My parents met a very kind-hearted person who owns a kindergarten. She told my parent to send me to her school with an agreement that she will reduce the price. "Diamond should be polished as early as possible," that's what she said. As the result, the school management didn't charge my parent with entrance fee and only 15,000 Rupiah (equal to US$ 1.50 at that time) that my parent had to pay monthly as the school fee.

Moving to elementary school, I started getting motivation to achieve more. Thorough out 6 years of my elementary school journey I barely left my position on the top 5 rank among my classmates. Also, I tried to join some competitions, and won several of them. However, I realized that having only academic achievements is not an enough fertilizer for my future. Therefore, I tried to join some of non-academic activities, including basketball. I was in the team for my elementary school. I only got chance to join two matches, but my team won both of those matches.

Going to middle school is another story. Beside keeping up good scores and achievements, I was demanded to cope with a new condition: being a minority. Private elementary school was a safe place for me as I was being around other minorities. My middle school was a public school and full of majority, but it's free. At that time, public schools got subsidized by government so that parents didn't have to pay school fee. Scary at first, but I got a lot of friends there. I was a little bullied in my first month at school, but at the time of graduation we cried together. My friends loved me as much as I love them. That was my first time being a part of diversity.

Apparently life gets more challenging. In order to help my parents financially, I decided to look for a scholarship opportunity, and I found one. I knew that by getting this scholarship I would have to be out of my hometown, away from my parents, but this fact didn't stop me to apply. After getting through many stages of selection, finally I got accepted into this school. Lot of feelings got mixed, starting from proud, excited, as well as worried. Worried might be one of God-feeling that no one knows. I had to let go my beloved 85-years-old grandmother during my first year of high school who has taken a lot of part on my character development. This is life, no body will be forever-lasting.

There shouldn't be only happiness or only sadness in our life. My first year of high school got very colorful. Beside living 'physically' far away from my parents and letting go my grandmother, I got a big chance to apply for a foreign exchange program. This kind of opportunities has always been one of big dreams in my family as my parent kept motivating me to get my education abroad. I knew that the chance was one out of hundreds and I would have to study one year longer than my friends did, finishing my high school career as I would leave classes for the whole year, but I kept on trying. Passing many stages of selection for about a year, from local to international, was not an easy thing, but yielded many smiles.

Being an exchange students was another fun part of my life. I was living with the Rickhoff in Neenah, Wisconsin, United States of America. I went to an awesome public school named Neenah High School that 'Rocket' up. Adjusting in a new family that was not yours could not be as easy as if you live with the Rickhoff. I felt like they really treated me as a part of their family; that had been a big blessing for me. Celebrating Halloween, thanksgiving (including Black Friday) and Christmas with them was a bonus. My friends and teachers at school were also nice. They welcomed me with excitement, and I am really glad that I am still keeping contact with many of them.

One year had taught me a lot, and I really want to come back to the United States to get my higher education. I am planning to apply for scholarships and loans in order to pay my tuition and my living costs.

However, before even applying, I really need to do some preparation that will be needed by colleges, such as SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or even paying for the college application fee. Therefore, I will need your help to support me and donate some of your money so that everything can happen. My goal is to raise US$ 555, hopefully it can be fulfilled before November ends. Every dollar counts! I will really appreciate your help on donating, or even just promoting this fundraising to your acquaintances who might be willing to donate. Thank you very much.

Any further question? Don't hesitate to ask.

Please visit gofundme.com/joevandi