Hello. My name is Felipe "Phil" Borjas and I am a sophomore student at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. For years, I recall wondering where I was going to be at age 19. What college was I going to be in? Was I going to live alone? I was very unsure about how life would turn out, and yet, I am here. I can now say that making the decision to come to Lamar for communications has brightened my future and made me realize that what I want to do is possible. Along with the many friends and faculty I've met along the way, I have established myself in various facets of media. I have been incredibly fortunate to work as part of an audio team for my college film club's short films. I have learned how to write and edit news for both print and broadcast news. And best of all, I was given my very own music show on the campus radio station called "Phil's Headphones." This show is where I can discuss and play some of my favorite music every week. In other words, it is my brain-child when it comes to what I've done here and I am extremely proud of it. From what I've written, you can see that I have done a lot during my time here at Lamar University. However, there's a great opportunity calling my name: England. 

At the start of the year, Lamar's Study Aboard program announced a trip to Brighton and Hove/London, UK in June 2025. The trip would be a course regarding media studies, or more specifically, travel reporting. Additionally, it would be lead by a beloved member of our faculty and a fellow Brighton native, Prof. Andy Coughlan. Andy is the director of our campus newspaper: The University Press. When I do talk to him, I always ask him about England and what it's like. I ask him about football and punk rock and the beach in Brighton, and in return, he gives me very intriguing information. So the news that he would be in charge of this trip was exciting, but I wasn't so sure about it at first. A large undertaking like this would take a lot of effort and money to make it happen. I just wasn't sure if it was in the cards for me, so I let it pass for a few weeks.

Then came a day in October where the school held a Study Aboard fair and Andy was there to promote the England trip. When I visited his table, I was met with images of Brighton's beach-side beauty. I could feel the history and significance from everything I saw. I listened to him talk about his city with much love, and from that, I decided that I couldn't let this opportunity go to waste. So I applied to the study aboard program, and a few days later, I was accepted.

I am beyond thrilled to consider this opportunity to give me a once-in-a-lifetime educational experience, but now, I need your help. As a 19 year old college student on the spectrum, I have defied the odds of what most people think autistic people are capable of. I have challenged myself time after time again to meet the standards that my education calls of me. Without my education, I wouldn't be the young man that I am today. This course in England would not only be a dream because of my admiration for the country, but it would also help me in my quest to graduation by adding 3 credits to my degree plan. Furthermore, I would be given two weeks to meet new people, go to new places and write about them for a grade. I would learn something about a world beyond my own and that's a challenge I would like to take.

So with that being said, the main goal for this campaign is $5,000. The trip costs about $3,850 in total including housing, meals, transportation and travel. I added a little extra as well in order to have spending money in the country. In order to assure that I make this happen, I need to pay at least $1,925 before January 5th as a first payment. Then, I will be asked to be a second payment of another $1,925 on February 5th. Once I have paid everything from that point on, I can be confirmed to be taking the course and go on the trip. 

Your assistance to this dream of mine would be appreciated. I am someone who has been fortunate to go to many places in my life: Mexico, Hawaii, San Francisco, New Orleans, etc. Now, I am ready to take a trip to somewhere new and somewhere that's going to take my education to the next level.

I wish you well and I thank you for everything you have done for me. 

Sincerely, 

Felipe "Phil" Borjas

Sophomore Communications (Broadcasting)

Lamar University

What to Know:

Faculty-Led: International Media Studies in England

Brighton and Hove/London, UK

June 10th - 25th, 2025

Taught by Andy Coughlan

Course description:

This course, COMM 4396, will focus on all facets of travel reporting, from long-form features to short “how-to” pieces and blogs. Students will be required to visit sites of historic and cultural interest and write about them. Students will be able to learn and write about their field of interest.

Students will produce a series of articles, both written and visual, on a variety of attractions in Brighton and its surroundings, and London. Assignments will be handled both individually and in small groups. Students will also contribute to a group project on the pandemic’s effect on a tourist town. Students will also be expected to use social media and build an e-portfolio as the course progresses.