Help Me Study Abroad in Europe (Italy, France, England, Czech Republic)

Hi!

I am a senior psychology major at Berry College. I graduate in May 2016. When I graduate, I hope to go into the non-profit field doing community development work that will provide college access opportunities for students of low-income and minority backgrounds.

I am doing a study abroad program through CIS Abroad. I have the amazing opportunity to travel through Europe for three weeks during Dec. 29, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016. During my program, I will travel from Rome, Italy; Aix-en-Provence & Paris, France; London, England; and Prague, Czech Republic. To learn more about the program, you can visit http://www.cisabroad.com/january-study-abroad/multi-country/january-in-italy-france-england-czech-republic/program

The total program costs $5,390 + $900 flight ticket + $300 in estimated food expenses.

I originally intended on having a scholarship helping me with some of my expenses. However, recent changes in the scholarships administration has rendered my study abroad program ineligible for funding from the organization. By the time I had found this out, I had already put down non-refundable deposits and booked my flight. I had made commitments with the expectation of receiving reimbursement from the scholarship.

As a result, I am now in a bind with fully being able to afford this dream experience. This is where you come in. I need your help in helping make this trip financially possible for me. I always dreamt of studying abroad, especially for a semester and getting to travel around Europe, but for financial reasons, I could never do it. Now, during my senior year, I have found a program that meets my needs in being able to see more of the world with a guided group and visiting some of Europe's greatest cities, even if it’s not semester long.

The money I raise from this campaign will help me with paying my flight ticket, help me cover meal costs (only breakfasts and some dinners are covered in the program), and buy other materials to make this a comfortable trip (sturdy suit case for cobble stone roads, warm apparel to withstand European winter cold, money for personal city exploration).

Coming from low-income background as a first-generation college student, my college experience has only been made possible through the financial generosity of others willing to invest in me (scholarships). This study abroad experience is no exception to that. Any financial assistance I receive will really add up. I want to study abroad, but I don’t want the stress of how I’m going to pay for it and related costs tarnish what should be an amazing experience.

I hope you will please consider donating to my trip. Any little bit helps. Even just $10-15 could help pay for one meal (of the more than 35 I’ll have to buy for myself).

Or if you can’t donate yourself, then I ask that you please share this on your networks and pass this along to anyone you think might be interested in helping me.

If you have any questions regarding my trip, you can reach me at:

[email protected]

Thank you!

Monica