Taylor’s Study Abroad Trip to Italy

Hello Everyone!My name is Taylor Waters and I am 21 years old. I currently attend the University of Florida, double majoring in Criminology & Law and Psychology with a minor in Anthropology. This July I hope to embark upon a study abroad program in Tuscany however, the costs are pretty high. The money you donate will go towards helping me pay for a round-trip plane ticket, tuition, meals, transportation to and from the Florence train station, housing, international health insurance, and the archaeological site fee.During this study abroad program I will have the opportunity to participate in a stratigraphical excavation of a late antique cemetary next to the imperial workshops in Santa Cristina. I will learn about medieval arachaeology, physical anthropology, Roman pottery, computer science in archaeology, and paleobotany. I am excited to go on weekend and afternoon excursions to places such as Chianti, Monteriggioni and Poggio Imperiale, Pienza, Chiusi and Montepulciano, Montalcino, Murlo, Monte Oliveto, and Val d’Orcia. I can't wait to immerse myself in the Italian culture and see the world. Unfortunately my family and I cannot afford to pay for this trip on our own. I don't receive nearly enough financial aid to cover the expenses of this trip. My current financial situation is one where I rely on financial aid each semester to pay the costs of my tuition, books, rent, and other necessities.  My Florida prepaid money was cashed out to pay for the everyday living expenses of my family after the economy crashed in 2008 and my father lost his job. My family's income decreased in half. Due to my father's age he has had a difficult time finding a job that pays well. I began college three years ago with no money saved up and my family and I have struggled ever since to pay for my education. Currently my family lives paycheck to paycheck and I usually do not receive much financial help during the summer semesters, especially since I do not get Florida Bright Futures over the summer. In my three years at the University of Florida I have acquired over $30,000 in student loans. I plan to get an on-campus job to help pay the costs of my education, but this alone will not be sufficient. Thank you in advance for all of your help!