Summer aboard trip in Mexico!

Kayla Van Rite Start Date: Feb 24, 2020 - End Date: May 23, 2020
  • Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico

My Travel Story

by: Kayla Van Rite Start Date: Feb 24, 2020 - End Date: May 23, 2020
¡Hola¡ My name is Kayla Van Rite and I am currently a junior in high school in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I have been given a amazing opportunity to visit Saltillo, Mexico this summer and stay with a host family. This experience will allow me to emerse myself into the culture of Mexico and gain a better understanding of what a full gap year/ exchange program would be like. I started this fundraiser as a way to spread my story and desire to experience different cultures along with my passion for traveling, meeting new people, and new experiences and adventures! 
Here is my story:
This year has been a crazy one for me as I moved to a brand new town over 5 times as big as the last town I lived in. With my senior year aproaching soon I have been considering what I want to study, what college I want to go to, what size university fits me best, or even taking a gap year/semester. I considered joining a foreign exchange student program through the Rotary in my community but I would have to go my entire senior year since there are no semester programs available. Due to the many variables, the program ending up not fitting my given situation. I also considered doing a summer emersion program but I could not find one that fit my busy schedule as I will be in Hubertus, Wisconsin 7 weeks in the first half of the summer working as a camp counselor through YMCA Camp Minikani. I talked to my mom aboout trying to figure out a way I could gain a exchange experience (as she studied abraod in Spain for a year) before choosing to study abroad in college. The search continued until recently when my mom reached out to an old family friend. When my mom was in high school they had a foreign exchange student in their home and have kept in contact for the past 20 plus years! He invited me to stay with his family in Saltillo after I explained my want to gain a cultural experience out of the country for the first time. 

My trip would be around June 2-12 lasting a maximum of 10 days. I started this fundraiser as a part to raise money to cover travel expenses and my passport fees as I do not have one. Living in Iowa, I would have to drive to Chicago and fly out of the Chicago O'Hare International airport to Plan de Guadalupe, and finally to Saltillo. Round trip plane tickets and passport fees, along with money for food and other items can add up. I am currently a full time student, an athlete (as I play for the Iowa Hawketes Rugby team), and ahve a part time job workin around 10-16 hours a week. Any donations would be very appreciated as the costs for any trip are very large. If you cannot donate even sharing my story with others or spreading the word is greatly appreciated. 
Thank you for your time, it means the world! :)
  • Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico