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Gap Year Abroad for Cultural Awareness & Personal Growth

Nikki Chopek Start Date: Mar 17, 2025 - End Date: Mar 16, 2026
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
  • Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  • Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  • Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  • Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Guatemala
  • Belize
  • Cuba
  • Havana, Cuba
  • Cayman Islands
  • Madrid, Spain
  • Paris, France
  • Versailles, France
  • Belgium
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Stockholm, Sweden
  • Florence, Italy
  • Naples, Italy
  • Milan, Italy
  • Venice, Italy
  • Egypt
  • Phuket, Thailand
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Dublin, Ireland
  • Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • Belfast, United Kingdom
  • Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Greece
  • Morocco
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Athens, Greece

My Travel Story

by: Nikki Chopek Start Date: Mar 17, 2025 - End Date: Mar 16, 2026
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Vacation/Personal Trip
I’m embarking on a transformative journey abroad to gain firsthand experience with diverse cultures—an experience that will shape my future as a psychologist in criminal justice reform. I finish my last semester of my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Athabasca university in May 2025. From there, I will get a Master's degree in Psychology -- hopefully with an educational and culturally enlightening gap year between.

Why This Matters
The justice system impacts people from all backgrounds, and meaningful reform starts with understanding diverse perspectives. By immersing myself in different cultures, I will develop a deeper awareness of how social, economic, and psychological factors shape people’s experiences with justice. This knowledge will be invaluable in my future work advocating for fair, compassionate policies.

How Your Support Helps
Your donation directly funds my ability to travel, learn, and engage with communities worldwide. From volunteering to studying how different countries approach mental health and justice, this experience will give me the tools to make a real difference when I return.

Why I Chose This Path
Criminal justice reform isn’t just a career for me—it’s a calling. Too many people suffer due to systemic failures, and I WILL be part of the change. By supporting my journey, you’re investing in a future where justice is more equitable and informed by real, lived experiences.

Every donation, big or small, helps make this dream a reality. Thank you for believing in my mission!
  • Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  • Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  • Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
  • Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
  • Guatemala
  • Belize
  • Cuba
  • Havana, Cuba
  • Cayman Islands
  • Madrid, Spain
  • Paris, France
  • Versailles, France
  • Belgium
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Berlin, Germany
  • Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Stockholm, Sweden
  • Florence, Italy
  • Naples, Italy
  • Milan, Italy
  • Venice, Italy
  • Egypt
  • Phuket, Thailand
  • Bangkok, Thailand
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Dublin, Ireland
  • Manchester, United Kingdom
  • Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • Belfast, United Kingdom
  • Reykjavík, Iceland
  • Greece
  • Morocco
  • Tokyo, Japan
  • Athens, Greece

Updates

1

  • Cancun, Mexico 2025

    Cancun, Mexico 2025
    I started to learn some Spanish on this solo trip! I stayed at the Mayan Monkey hostel and met some amazing new people :)

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • Hiking backpack

    150

  • GoPro

    $ 550

  • Selling extra / unneeded belongings

    1,000
    anonymous
    • Granted

  • Travel Fund

    1,870
    My Savings
    • Granted
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