Plebeian Adventures: Sara's CIEE European Voyage

Sara Johnson Start Date: May 30, 2016 - End Date: Aug 12, 2016
  • Berlin, Germany
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Paris, France

My Travel Story

by: Sara Johnson Start Date: May 30, 2016 - End Date: Aug 12, 2016
As someone who has wanted to visit Europe since I knew it was a place that existed, I am so excited to be partnering with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) for my study abroad experience Fall 2016!

I will be studying at the newly opened CIEE Global Institutes located in Berlin, London, and Paris! I will take 2 courses in each 6 week "block" while I am abroad, including a variety of courses related to Literature, Culture, and the Arts.

I am currently an English Literature Major at Western Washington University (WWU) in Bellingham, WA. Upon graduation, I plan on continuing my education with WWU's Woodring College of Education to earn my Masters in Teaching for Secondary Education (I'll be a high school/middle school teacher)!

I am passionate about my study abroad adventure because (apart from being a lifelong dream of mine), I believe it will give me a leg up on my teaching career, as I can use my first-hand experiences abroad to help teach and inspire my future students. 

It's one thing to "share" and "like" other people's travel photos, and see foreign places represented in film and television, but it's another thing entirely to actually visit these amazing places.

I initially chose the U.K. because, as an English Major, a trip to London would be the ultimate literary pilgrimage. However, when the opportunity came to study in not one European capital, but THREE, I jumped at the chance and applied for CIEE's Global Scholar $10,000 grant. With the help of my Education Abroad advisors at WWU, I won this grant!

I have started this "FundMyTravel" campaign to help take the edge off some of the remaining funds I need to budget/raise for my trip beginning mid-August.

It would mean so much if you could contribute even a small amount to my campaign. I'm trying to avoid as much financial burden and debt as possible to make the most of this opportunity.

There are a few different fun incentives on the right side ---> for those who can donate!

For those who cannot financially contribute, please consider sharing my fundraiser with your friends and family. Thank you so much!!
  • Berlin, Germany
  • London, United Kingdom
  • Paris, France

Updates

16

  • Thanks, Grandma!

    I received a donation via snail-mail from one of my amazing grandmothers, and have adjusted my fundraiser goal to reflect the monies that she contributed since you cannot enter a personal check into the fundraiser. I'm now 84% funded! Only 5 hours left!

  • Breaking News!

    I just found out that while I'm studying in Paris, I will get to live with a host family in their apartment in central Paris! Since I finished AP French 4 years ago, I have not been able to actually use any of my French skills, so the immersion of living with a host family will be such a great way to practice and learn!

More Travel Information

Adventure Registry

  • 13 inch laptop (new or used)

    $ 110
    Purchased with Donations
    • Granted

  • English Tuition Waiver

    $ 200
    WWU English Dept
    • Granted

  • Alumni Leadership Scholarship

    $ 1,000
    Western Alumni Association
    • Granted

  • Global Scholars Grant

    $ 10,000
    WWU Ed Abroad and CIEE
    • Granted

  • Intl. Study Scholarship

    $ 1,397
    Helen Hostetter Estate
    • Granted

  • UK Short Term Study Visa

    $ 135
    Generous Donors
    • Granted

  • Sublease Fee

    $ 100
    David Skatula
    • Granted

  • Supplies, Misc. Expenses

    $ 335
    Anna Johnson
    • Granted

  • Cash Donation

    $ 20
    Connie and Gene Yliniemi
    • Granted