Ariel’s Study Abroad Trip to Italy

Hello, friends, family, and lovely strangers!

My name is Ariel Stamper and I am a senior at Ball State University anticipating graduation in July! I have been studying International Business and Marketing and am about to receive a Bachelor of Arts. These past four years have been an incredible journey for me as I have learned so much about myself and where I fit in the world. I have enjoyed the privilege of quality higher education, I have made amazing friends, and met so many wonderful professors and educators who have inspired me to always utilize my full potential and pursue my passions. Studying International Business, I've come to realize that the world is not as small as it seems, and there are so many wonderful things different cultures and different people contribute to the way we live our lives. I am in the final stage of my International Business program which requires me to earn a field study credit by traveling abroad. My digital marketing professor persuaded me to apply for a study abroad trip to Italy to study social media marketing. This trip is a five-week program will involve students in exploring social media in central Italy. The class will focus on fundamentals in social media while creating and managing a social media platform. We will analyze the content through social insights while engaging fans back home. This field study includes a combination of classroom instruction, formal, structured tours, time for completing managing social media platforms, and unstructured time. I have never been to Europe before, so I was nervous about the idea, but my professor continued to persist that I apply for the program. I convinced myself that the experience would be worth all of my nerves, so I applied and I was accepted! While this was a great moment for me, I now have to worry about covering the cost of the trip. There are several excursions that are included in the price tag, however meals and credit hours are not. I have applied for scholarships, but the amounts that I have been granted still leave a balance. Part of the reason that I have never applied for these programs in the past was because of the cost and I did not want to burden my family with this expense. However, I am now asking for help because I know this experience will only further enhance my education, and benefit my mind, and soul. After this trip, I plan on pursuing a career in the global marketing field, and I know that this experience will only make me more valuable in this field. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I appreciate any support that you can give! God Bless!

Sincerely,

Ariel Stamper