Childhood Dream? ACHIEVED. Study Abroad Plans? IRELAND.

Cat Carnes Start Date: Feb 14, 2023 - End Date: Jun 13, 2023
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Dublin, Ireland

My Travel Story

by: Cat Carnes Start Date: Feb 14, 2023 - End Date: Jun 13, 2023
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
When I was a kid, in between daydreaming about transforming into a literal horse and daydreaming about being the president of the world plus a teacher one day, I used to put my mom's heels on and traipse around, pretending that I was an Educated Woman traveling to new places and delivering speeches (probably about horses) to change the world. The one (real) country I always came back to was Ireland. My family has Irish ancestry, the country's architecture is incredible (especially Trinity College, which I was fully convinced was an actual castle), and it just felt like I was called to go there. 

Plus, like... do you see how lush Ireland's hillsides are? If I was going to be a horse, I was going to live somewhere with the best grass. 

Ireland has literally been a dream of mine since I genuinely thought I could turn into a horse.

It's been a long time, is what I'm saying.

Even then, I knew I was going to do three things: 
1) become a writer
2) go to college and get a degree
3) go to Ireland

I’m a first-gen college student, I’m disabled, I’m a lesbian in the bible belt, I’m a pagan who left the church when half my family disowned me for coming out, and I’m a fat goth weirdo covered in tattoos. Since I was in middle school, I knew I wanted to be an adult I would be proud of. That’s what got me through my teenage years, making a promise to that inner child that I’d survive for us. It’s made me work really hard to honor my body and my disabilities, advocate for myself, and take leaps of faith when I find them. I want to pay back the heroes that kept me going at my lowest, and most importantly, I want to achieve this childhood dream for the version of me that survived. 

I almost got to go study abroad in Ireland a few years ago, but life happened, I got sick, and I'm poor, so I gave up. The stars have aligned in a way that has let me go for it one more time.

SO, what I'm actually going to DO with my time: 

I'm ready to accomplish this now, and I need your help.
I am applying to scholarships, hustling commissions, and offering my soul to various deities, and I could use your support.

Since I'm a graduate student, I do not qualify for as many financial aid grants to study abroad as undergrad students do. Many outside scholarships are also typically geared towards undergraduates and interns. 

Academically, a key motivator in my graduate studies is to do ethical, thorough, and emotionally intelligent research that reduces the stigma of talking authentically about disability and marginalized experiences.

Professionally, I am focused on creating dynamic training content for training employers and jobseekers alike, directing support and resources to people often discarded, ignored, or tokenized in traditional workplaces. My goal is to bridge the gaps in understanding that often make disabled people a checkbox, one that the company promises to ignore, but disabled people are told to never check. 

This study abroad program will help me conquer one more impossible dream on my bucket list. In Dublin, I will take my experiences in disability justice, fat studies, and being vulnerable and visible to a global program that will empower me to create more equitable, interesting, and accessible spaces.

I'm fundraising here while I exhaust every other option for making this happen. You'll see commissions, side gigs, writing projects, all in an effort to raise the money I need. 

If you'd like to help, I promise that I will find the softest Galway Sheep I can and pet it in your honor. Or, you know, get you a gift. Hit me up.

https://www.instagram.com/mamaxchaos/ is my digital art instagram! If you donate and there's a reward associated, you can look at that page to get ideas of commission options! 
  • Dublin, Ireland

Updates

8

  • FINAL MONEY UPDATE - IT'S ALL HAPPENING!!!

    FINAL MONEY UPDATE - IT'S ALL HAPPENING!!!
    So I reviewed payment due dates for the program fees and they're due after I leave, and they can't make me go home early, so...

    I TOOK OUT THE PROGRAM FEES! I WILL BE PAYING THOSE WITH STUDENT AID AND LOANS OVER TIME!!! EVERYTHING LEFT IS JUST WHAT I NEED TO GO!!!

    I AM PANICKING!!!!

  • STUDENT AID IS IN! FINAL TOTAL UPDATED! ITS GO TIME!!!

    STUDENT AID IS IN! FINAL TOTAL UPDATED! ITS GO TIME!!!
    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • Scholarships so far:

    1,500
    Grants
    • Granted

  • Shoes That Don't Kill My Feet

    $ 100
    Anonymous Donor
    • Granted

  • Travel Tech (outlets/chargers)

    $ 50

  • Diabetic Snacks (60 days)

    100
    Self
    • Granted

  • Travel Backpack/Carry-On

    100
    Anonymous Donor
    • Granted

  • Med Supplies

    $ 50
    Anonymous Donor
    • Granted

  • Research/Study Tools

    $ 120
    Self
    • Granted

  • Toiletries/Sleeping Stuff

    $ 200

  • Luggage

    $ 200
    Anonymous Donor
    • Granted