Hi! My name is Amanda Braun. I am nineteen years old, and live on a small farm in northern Illinois. I love animals and enjoy working with my family's goats. I am a student at Highland Community College where I will receive my Associate of Science degree in Biology. Additionally, I currently work at a local humane society helping find loving homes for pets.

I have an opportunity to travel to two different countries this summer and fall through the IFYE international exchange program. I learned about IFYE through my 4-H group. A recent IFYE presented an outstanding program on her experiences while in Costa Rica. This presentation sparked my interest in the program which focuses on cultural immersion, rather than just travel and being a tourist. I have been officially accepted by the IFYE programs in South Korea and Thailand, and I couldn't be more excited!

I have always wanted to live in different places. I enjoy meeting new people, learning about their lives, and how we are similar yet different. I am excited to learn about the culture in South Korea and Thailand and experience their daily life. With the IFYE program I can do that! I will stay with multiple host families and participate in their daily lives and activities. I want to meet as many people as I can, and make many lifelong friends.

I am very grateful for this opportunity provided by the IFYE Association of the USA, Inc. They provide a substantial portion of the total program cost, but I must also contribute my share. I am almost at my goal, but would you be willing to help offset some of my $3,000 participation fee through a financial contribution to a Go Fund Me account the IFYE Association has helped create for me? If you would like to contribute to my upcoming journey, please visit my GoFundMe account: https://www.gofundme.com/amanda-braun-ifye-participant. Upon my return, I will be sharing my IFYE experiences in South Korea and Thailand with many groups, and would love to add you to my IFYE presentation list.

The IFYE Association of the USA, is a Premier International rural-based Exchange Program for young adults 19 years of age and older. IFYE is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The IFYE Association of the USA alumni and other donors contribute about 85% of the program costs. The $3,000 is the selected participants’ contribution for their 3 or 6-month experience with host families. Having met the requirements of the IFYE Association of the USA, Inc. Amanda Braun is approved to create/use a GoFundMe account for fundraising.