I'm raising money for GRE and TOEFL so I can apply for a Master's in Mechanical Engineering**.

Why I'm using HandUp for GRE and TOEFL.

I am a gay refugee from the Middle East. I have been in the US for 4.5 years. I have a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Iran but I am not able to work here because my degree is from abroad and the companies here prefer students with a degree from here. My goal is to work as a professional but the cost of living is very high. I am not able to save enough money to pay for the GRE and TOEFL exams required to go for a Master's degree. I am fundraising on HandUp so I can take the GRE and TOEFL exam so that I can apply for a Master's in Mechanical Engineering.

** NOTE TO DONORS: We value your donations, and respect your intention to support people in need with their specific fundraising goals. On occasion, the immediate needs or an emergency may arise, and a Participant might require support in another way for safety, health, housing, or employment. As such, your donation may be used for an immediate basic need not mentioned in the above goal, such as groceries, health costs, or housing support. Any changes will always be approved in advance by PHC Staff. We will provide up to date information on how these funds are being used through an update on HandUp. By making a donation to this campaign, you are confirming your approval of this potential change. If you have any questions, or do not wish that your donation be used for any alternative goals, please contact PHC staff directly.

We greatly appreciate your support to our Participants!

About me.

I'm from the Middle East and I immigrated here as a refugee and I have a green card. I am a gay refugee from Iran. I immigrated here 4.5 years ago. Living as a gay person in Iran is very difficult - for that reason, I left my country. They are not gay friendly. They kill gay people. I have a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. But most employers here accept students from here or with a lot of years of experience. To be able to go back to work, I need education from the United States.

My backstory.

I am not able to find a job because my degree in Mechanical Engineering is from another country. For that reason, I need a Master's from the United States. In order to go back to school, I need a GRE and TOEFL. Those exams cost a total of $400.

I live in an SRO at the moment. I have a hard time working and studying and I work minimum wage jobs and am hardly able to pay my rent. I don't have any extra money to pay for other things.

I am also vegetarian, which makes food more expensive.

My goals, moving forward.

I am working towards getting into a Master's program. They want high GRE and TOEFL scores. I take a lot of ESL classes at City College in order to build my English.

Other things I'd like to share about myself.

My dream is to go for a Master's program and work as a professional in the field of Mechanical Engineering or Analytics.

My goal is to get my citizenship, get married, have a family, and feel secure.