Support Ayush Sharma's Academic Journey

Hi,

My name is Rajesh and I'm fundraising for Ayush Sharma--an extremely talented student in India who has educated himself in school and ongoing undergraduate degree through scholarships based on his academic performance. He now needs help to fund a once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity as a Baret Scholar. He has already received $74,500 in scholarship funding, and needs $30,000 USD to make this dream come true.

Here is Ayush's story in his own words:

I am Ayush Sharma, and I am a 19-year-old college sophomore at Ashoka University, India. Throughout my life, I have strived to educate myself. Since I have grown up in a family with very modest means, I have worked hard to self-finance my entire education. My father is a medically challenged priest, who struggled to pay even the $12 fee for my local elementary school.

Facing the possibility of dropping out in the 6th grade, I worked tirelessly to secure a highly selective scholarship that covered all my tuition and expenses for my high school education.

This perseverance continued as I earned a full-ride scholarship to a prestigious high school, and later, another full scholarship to Ashoka University worth $58,000, where I am currently a College Board Scholar. To support myself, I take on freelance writing and coding gigs, so that I do not have to ask my family for any financial support.

Recently, I came across a life-changing gap-year opportunity: the Baret Scholars Program. This highly selective program chooses 180 students globally, taking them across five continents for an intercultural education and experience. The journey starts in New Hampshire and continues through New York, São Paulo, Paris, Istanbul, Nairobi, New Delhi, Beijing, and concludes in Japan. Throughout the program, students meet successful academics and professionals, engage in research, and complete numerous fellowships.

While I am incredibly fortunate to have been accepted into this program, the total cost is prohibitive and exceeds $100,000. The program recognized my superior performance, limited financial means, and has awarded me a $74,500 scholarship to partially cover the tuition and boarding charges. This leaves a gap of $30,000 ($20,000+ $10,000) for boarding charges, visa fees, insurance, and some incidental expenses. Recognizing that I am in no position to raise even 10% of this balance, I have turned to crowdfunding in the hope that I may attend this program.

As part of the enrollment, I need to submit two payments totaling $8,888 on the 15th and 21st June, 2024.

People consider airplanes to be big white machines that fly, and carry people from place to place, but I disagree. I believe airplanes carry hopes inside them. There might not be enough space inside for the luggage of the passenger next to me, but there will be plenty for my dreams.

The Baret Program is a truly life-altering opportunity for which I am immensely grateful. However, a lack of financial resources is currently preventing me from seizing this opportunity. Therefore, I wholeheartedly ask for your financial assistance to make this dream a reality. Any support, whether monetary or simply sharing my story for greater visibility, would go a long way.

Baret Scholars Website: Baret Scholars

Acceptance Letter and Contract: Ayush Sharma Baret Scholars Documents

Thank you for reading this and all your support!

Regards,

Ayush