Help Me Experience the Wonders and Beauties of the World

Brianna Bell Start Date: May 24, 2016 - End Date: Dec 29, 2016
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Honolulu, HI, Australia
  • Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
  • Shanghai, China
  • Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
  • Rangoon
  • Cochin, Kerala, British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Port Louis, Mauritius
  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Tema, Greater Accra, Ghana
  • Casablanca, Grand Casablanca, Morocco
  • Hamburg, Germany

My Travel Story

by: Brianna Bell Start Date: May 24, 2016 - End Date: Dec 29, 2016
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
“She’s a dreamer, a soul searcher, and a wanderer. She drifts along, deep in thought, her mind craving exploration, and her eyes telling tales of mysterious adventures.” – Unknown

I have always dreamed of having the opportunity to travel and study abroad because everyone you meet has knowledge about the world that you do not and I am on a quest to experience life in other peoples’ shoes. I once watched a TED talk where the woman was discussing the danger of the single story, an idea that a group of people are perceived to be one particular way based off a single story being told. The danger of a single story is, in simplest terms, stereotyping a group, and getting to travel around the world would allow me to discover many stories that would break the stereotypes. I want to be able to gain knowledge from many different people in hopes that I will become a well-rounded, acknowledged leader.

My name is Brianna Bell. I am currently a senior at Jacksonville State University majoring in Geography with a double minor in Anthropology and Sociology. Currently as a JSU student I am a member of the International House, Lambda Gamma Chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority, Student Alumni Association, and Geography Club. I am also a member of prestigious honor societies such as Phi Kappa Phi and Gamma Theta Upsilon. Now, I have been accepted into the Semester at Sea Study Abroad Program, which gives students the opportunity to continue taking college courses while traveling around the world visiting 11 countries. I hope to gain valuable experience toward my major on this trip as well as a better version of myself. The program is set to take us to eleven countries which include Japan, China, Vietnam, Burma, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana, and Morocco. I plan on taking the maximum of five courses which will consist of Cultural Geography, Gender and Society, Religions of the East, Global Studies, and Medical Anthropology. These classes, along with field experience, will help me gain much required experience in my major in order to be accepted into a highly accredited graduate program.

However, I don’t only want to gain experience for my college career so I can get into a good school. I want to be able to gain insight into the globally increasing issues and how they affect different countries and people. I want to learn the customs and traditions of others’ cultures so that I can be aware of the differences and respect them. I want to gain a better understanding of my own culture through comparison to others. I want to help people as much as I can.  

Semester at Sea is a fairly expensive program compared to Jacksonville State University. The tuition costs $26,950 which include up to 15 credit hours, meals three times a day, housing, all required field courses, and premium medical insurance. However, it does not include the purchase of flights, immunizations, visas, and personal expenses such as currency exchanges. Currently, as a Jacksonville State University student, I am only paying an average of $7,000 per semester without scholarships or financial aid. The Semester at Sea program costs the same amount as a 4-year career at Jacksonville State University. I have been given a great opportunity that only 575 students are awarded each semester, but the financial cost is a huge barrier for my dream to become reality. Without the help from people like you, I will not be able to go on this trip.

Thank You,

Brianna Bell
  • Honolulu, HI, Australia
  • Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
  • Shanghai, China
  • Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
  • Rangoon
  • Cochin, Kerala, British Indian Ocean Territory
  • Port Louis, Mauritius
  • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
  • Tema, Greater Accra, Ghana
  • Casablanca, Grand Casablanca, Morocco
  • Hamburg, Germany

Updates

2
  • A Helping Hand

    A Helping Hand
    I absolutely love reading. I have among hundreds and hundreds of books buried in my room on bookshelves, inside my dresser, my desk, under my bed, in my mom's office and I got an amazing idea: Why not share my love of reading with others? I am starting a fundraiser to raise money for the City of Refuge Ministries in Tema (Accra), Ghana (one of my destinations on SAS). I am going to sells books and all the money raised will be donated to the City of Refuge. But, not only am I going to promote literacy through this fundraiser, I am also going to promote an important message about not judging a person or a book by what they look like on the outside by wrapping the books. When a person buys a book, they will not know what book they got but that's the beauty of it; You never know if you are going to like the book if you never get past the cover, just like you will never get to know a person if you judge them based off the way they look.

    The City of Refuge Ministries:
    http://www.cityofrefugeoutreach.org/

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