First Generation, First Study Abroad
My Travel Story
I am super excited to share my story about why I'm choosing to study abroad in Spain during the summer of 2025. I am reaching out for your support and help with the costs I will incur from this program.
About Me
I am a first-generation student at Miami University Hamilton Regional Campus in Ohio. Miami University Hamilton has given me significant opportunities within my educational career. As a member of the regional student government as well as a member of the Ohio Innocence Project chapter at Miami University, I have been able to apply my love and passion to politics, government, and law. Apart from my educational career, I work as a hairstylist at Great Clips and love being able to build connections with my clients. I am also the daughter of an amazing mother who has always placed value in being kind, and hardworking and emphasized the value in always dreaming about what could be.
Why Spain?
As a Mexican-American living in the United States, my first language was Spanish. Navigating through my identity has always been difficult. I learned how to speak. Write, and read Spanish but as years went on surrounded by the English language, while my English improved my Spanish stayed where I left it. Traveling to Spain will give me an incredible opportunity to challenge myself and immerse myself in an intensive language program, where I will be reading grammatically correct Spanish as well as writing and speaking it. I will be staying with a host family which will allow me to further immerse myself in the language and in their culture.
What I hope to experience and learn:
I hope to experience what it is like to live in a place where I can speak, read, and write my first language. I hope to experience personal growth in my language. I hope to also experience personal growth in other personal aspects like increasing independence, increasing resilience, problem-solving skills, and confidence in navigating new, sometimes unexpected, environments. I hope that all of these experiences will help me learn Spanish in a way that I can apply to my future career. As a pre-law student, I hope that in the future I am able to use Spanish as an opportunity to branch out to people within my community.
I think it is significant for me as a first-generation student to branch out within my educational career to set an example for future generations within my community. Hispanics in the legal profession are largely underrepresented, by supporting me through my study abroad program you are allowing me to represent a community, to make an impact within that community, and to inspire first-generation students to continue to push ten times harder when it gets five times more difficult.
A personal Dream Come True:
Beyond the academic experience, the overall opportunity to travel to another country is in itself a dream come true. It has always been a dream of mine to travel to Europe and to be able to travel while doing something I'm passionate about, will make this dream even more important and memorable for me.
Why I need your help:
While I am able to cover my deposit and flight to Spain with my own money, Miami regional campus tuition is different than Miami University Oxford; which the study abroad program is through. The Miami University tuition is expensive and I'm seeking support to be able to pay off the remaining balance that I will have from the program fee, tuition, and other supplies like textbooks. Your contribution, no matter the amount, will directly help me manage these costs.
Why Donate?
Your donation isn't just financial support but an investment in first-generation students. Many students aren't awarded the same opportunities or examples within their communities. Being able to relate to someone is significant for first-generation students who may not have someone to mentor them, have someone to relate to, or have a support system. I hope that in the future with the knowledge I gain from this experience, I will be able to work toward setting an example for future generations and stressing the significance of education, love, and passion.
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Donate
$ 420 USD
Total Donation Received-
4%
Funded -
$ 10,500 USD
Goal Amount -
314
Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Program Fee
$ 10,000
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FundMyTravel Site Fee
$ 500
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Funders
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Anonymous Funded $ 300 USD
Mar 26, 2025 -
Jacky Funded $ 20 USD
Mar 22, 2025 -
Anonymous Funded $ 100 USD
Mar 22, 2025
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