Help me study abroad in Italy!

Allyson Morgan Start Date: Oct 3, 2016 - End Date: Apr 2, 2017
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
  • Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
  • Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy

My Travel Story

by: Allyson Morgan Start Date: Oct 3, 2016 - End Date: Apr 2, 2017
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
I've always felt a longing for adventure. Before college, I had never traveled further south than Maryland or further west than Indiana. Over my spring break in 2016 I was fortunate enough to travel to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma to volunteer at Safari's Sanctuary, a rescue organization for exotic animals that were once kept as pets. It was an amazing experience, in part because traveling across the country with a few of my peers allowed me to experience the culture of the southern United States; "southern hospitality" is definitely a real thing! I enjoyed being exposed to people outside of my familiar northeastern states.

Now, I want to take my endeavors abroad. I have never traveled outside of the United States, mostly due to a lack of financial resources and because the opportunity never presented itself. I have been interested in studying abroad for awhile now, and finally decided to take the plunge and make my way to Florence for the summer of 2017. 

I plan on traveling with the SAI study abroad program at the Florence University at the Arts for a period of six weeks. Besides studying during those six weeks I hope to visit other cities such as Rome and Venice, and perhaps even take a train to explore other parts of Europe. 

Anybody who knows me knows what a passion I have for the arts; I am currently pursuing a degree in Digital Studio Art with hopes of becoming a concept artist, illustrator, or graphic designer. Studying in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, would provide an incredible opportunity for me to study art in the city where many classical works have been created and where many talented artists have resided. I would be studying in the very place where Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo once lived. I would get to experience incredible works of architecture, such as the Duomo, the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella and the Ponte Vecchio. 

I believe that this trip would greatly help with my personal and professional development. Living on my own in a foreign city will definitely provide opportunities for me to grow as a global citizen because I will be immersed in a foreign culture. There are also opportunities to volunteer during my time abroad, which would grant me awareness of issues affecting another country. Studying in Florence would also be a great addition to my resume; this trip is a unique opportunity that would set me apart from other applicants when I try to find a job or internship in my field.

Over this previous summer, I had worked at two jobs in order to start saving up money for next summer. I currently work over twenty hours a week at Panera while going to school full time in hopes of seeing my dream come to life. However, this trip is still beyond my budget; I'm looking at nearly $6,000 for tuition and housing and at least another $1,700 for airfare, food, books for classes, and local travel (buses & taxis) around the city. In the meantime, I'm going to continue working at my part time job and apply for scholarships, although scholarships for summer study abroad programs are much fewer and offer much less money than scholarships for semester-long or year-long programs. 

I am extremely greatful for any donation that you can give me. Anybody who shares this or gets the word out also gets my eternal gratitude. I plan on documenting my travels on social media, as well as photographing and drawing the city while I am there; I would be more than happy to provide free matted prints of some of the work that I will do in Florence to anybody who wishes to help me make this trip become a reality. 

Thank you to everybody who decides to donate or help me spread the word!
  • Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy
  • Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome, Italy
  • Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy