CeeJay received a $5,000 scholarship from the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA). The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization provides scholarships to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study-abroad population, including students of color, community college students and first-generation college students.

“I encourage students from any different type of background to reach out and don’t give up hope on the potential to broaden your horizons with study abroad,” he said. “I feel like a lack of hope will prevent a lot of people from at least trying, at least aiming for it. Don’t let your surroundings or your background hinder how far you can go.”