Send Savannah to Spain!

Savannah Crippen Start Date: Mar 25, 2016 - End Date: Dec 23, 2016
  • Barcelona, Spain

My Travel Story

by: Savannah Crippen Start Date: Mar 25, 2016 - End Date: Dec 23, 2016
Hello Beautiful People, 

As I thought about the different ways to approach this I realized the best way was to be honest. I want to start by giving you a little background information into my life. My name is Savannah Crippen and I am twenty-one years old. I am currently in my junior year at William Paterson University. I have been working expectionally hard these past three years. It all started with defying the odds and attending college. I am a first generation college student who has suffered with economic disadvantages all my life. Neither my mother nor father had to opportunity to attend college. I have watched what struggle has done to not only my family but to those in my surroundings and it truly is devastating. I have watched what becomes of the product of broken homes, mental illness, physical changes, death, lack of education, resources, pain and hopelessness. How can you stay hopeful when there is so much doubt that surrounds you? How can you ask for more when everyone is giving there last? I do not express this to dishearten anyone. I am not here to write a sob story or to make anyone feel bad. I only want to show how deep my desire and drive for success goes. Now I told you that I have been busy these past three years so let me share with you some of my accomplishments. I am a Psychology major with a minor in Health Studies. I am in the Honors College where I am a part of the Clinical and Neuropsychology Honors Track. I have been maintaining my current 3.7 GPA, making the deans list every semester. I have the highest GPA in my Equal Opportunity Fund organization. I have three academic scholarships helping me get through school (Student Success Scholarship, Arrigo O. Rogers, and Harriet F. Modemann). I am a member of two Academic Honor Societies, The National Society of Leadership and Success (Sigma Alpha Phi) and Chi Alpha Epsilon. I volunteer in a research lab where we focus on depression, axiety and mood disorders. I am also doing my own research (independent study) that is focusing on how meditation affects high sensation seeking personality types. On campus I am a Resident Assistant (RA), President of the Psychology Club, a member of the Student Success Committee, and a Peer Mediator. So when I say I have been busy I was not kidding! 

Traveling to Spain has been my dream for as long as I can remember. I admire everything about the Hispanic culture from the food, to the language, the art and music. Getting the opportunity to travel to Barcelona would not only fulfill a deep aspiration of mine but would also enrich my overall character. After graduation I plan to apply to graduate school in hopes of getting into a PHD program. Graduate school is an intense and competitive process. Therefore, having my abroad experience will enhance and diversify my application. 

I have been saving every penny possible in order to make this trip feasible, however, it is much easier said then done when attempting to put yourself through college. If I could raise the amount of money to attend this sudy abroad trip it would truly be life changing. I have been talking about going abroad since High School and I am determined to turn my dream into a reality. So please, I know everyone has a milllion and one things going on in there everyday lives and that going on this trip is far from a necessity but I would be so appreciative if you could help me fulfill my longing of traveling to Barcelona, Spain! 

Thank you a milliion times! :) 
  • Barcelona, Spain