First-Gen College Student Studying in Taiwan

Hi! My name is Beatrix Damashek (B), and I am a queer, low-income, independent, first-generation college student soon to be graduating from Kalamazoo College. I have recently been accepted into a study-abroad opportunity in Taiwan but lack the funds to pay tuition for my exchange program abroad. I am starting this campaign to help cover base fees so I can study in Taiwan.

I didn't start college with the intention of going to an Asian country, but my experiences with studying the Chinese language and culture for the past three years have led me to study abroad in Taiwan. Initially, I had come to Kalamazoo College to study in Costa Rica. Our institution has a 4-year program called the K-Plan, which allows students to study abroad during their sophomore or junior year in any country of their choice (this is included in the tuition). I studied Spanish for four years in high school and one quarter in college. However, six months into my first year, the pandemic dramatically shifted my interest and goals– and traveling abroad was no longer an option.

Unlike other high-achieving scholars, I struggled immensely during my first year of college. I worked two jobs, had limited financial support, and could not participate in on-campus activities due to working 30 hours a week and studying constantly. During the pandemic, I became homeless and unable to afford my basic needs. I took a gap quarter in Fall of 2020 and seriously considered dropping out. At the time, I worked full-time at an Asian grocery store (Pacific Rim Foods, where I am still employed), where I was exposed to the Chinese language. While working full-time, I desperately missed studying and wished to continue my education.

In the Winter of 2021, I returned back to K College. I became interested in Chinese mythology and continued taking cultural classes that would aid in understanding Chinese culture. As an English major, I compared the parallels between Western and East Asian cultures, and learning about Chinese literature helped inform my perspectives on Western cultural norms/literary practices. I took almost every East Asian cultural class available to me; it got to the point where I felt like not knowing how to read Chinese was hindering my ability to read texts beyond a Western lens.

For 2022-2023, I have dedicated myself to learning to read, write, and speak in Chinese. To further my language skills, I applied to study abroad in Taiwan for Fall 2023. Although I have only learned Chinese for one year, I am excited to immerse myself in an environment where I will be challenged to speak and listen to Chinese daily. Fortunately, both Kalamazoo College and National Taiwan University nominated me to study abroad in the Fall of 2023!

After this experience abroad, I plan on attending graduate school -- so this educational opportunity is vital for my future.

Please consider donating to this campaign so I can afford the gap of money that my financial aid cannot cover. This will be a life-changing experience, and I am excited to embark on this journey!