Hi, my name is Johnny Cox and I am a gay artist from Oakland raising funds to help ease the financial strain of participating in a cultural exchange program known as NALCAP!

What is NALCAP you ask?

It is the North American Language and Culture Assistance Program run by the Educational Office of the Embassy of Spain in collaboration with the country’s autonomous regions. It offers the opportunity for native English-speaking adults from various countries to travel to Spain on a student visa. In return, they offer English language exchange opportunities to a local school.

Learn more about it at: https://www.educacionfpydeportes.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/nalcap.html

Starting on Jan 1st, I will be supporting a primarily Basque speaking school in Ataun, a municipality in the province of Gipuzkoa within the Basque Country of northern Spain. I am so excited to take a break from the hustle culture of the Bay Area, to learn as much as I can of the Basque language or Euskera, and to be challenged in my habitual ways of thinking.

I’m confused, is this a job? Will you be paid?

Think of it as a volunteer position with a stipend rather than a job with a salary. The stipend I will get is only $800 euros a month, which in the smaller towns of the Basque region surprisingly covers basic needs such as rent for a single room, food, and transportation. I have been saving money to cover other needs and even so, this fundraiser is an ask for your support in helping me ease the cost of this incredible opportunity.

I’m raising funds to cover my flight to Spain along with the costs associated with my first 2 weeks there in mid-December before the job begins on Jan 1st.

Cost Estimate:

Flight to Bilbao, Spain: $1,000

Hostel in the city of San Sebastian for the first 2 weeks when I arrive: $500, around $35 a night.

Transportation and meals for those first 2 weeks: $500

If you would like to donate without card processing fees, please do that through my Venmo name @JohnnyandCox or through Paypal using my email [email protected]. You can also mail me checks or give cash if you would like. Please reach out to me over email to coordinate that.

Thank you for considering supporting me and please share this fundraiser!