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Adventures in the United Kingdom

Hello,
My name is Reeyana Sehgeh, I am a third year student at Clark Atlanta University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media Arts, concentration television and film. In the fall of 2014, I will be studying abroad at Edge Hill University. Edge Hill is located in Ormskirk, Lancashire  and with the help of CCIS, I will be embarking on a semester long journey across seas to join the film studies program. While abroad I will be continuing my course studies in film, television adn theatre. While studying abroad I will also have the opportunity to volunteer and become enriched in Ormskirk's rich heritage, culture and history. This study abroad opportunity will prepare me for my future through providing me with a new prospective of the world, increasing my employment and educational opportunities, improving my cinematography skills, and helping me form lasting connections with other film and television students from all over the world. I will be engaged in a campus culture of diversity, where everyone will bring their own beliefs together with professors who want great things out of their students. The most exciting part of this adventure is that I will be taking this journey as a black women, who has overcame many adversities but is still dedicated to the art of filmmaking. Attending this program will be the stepping stone I need to fix the gender bias in the film industry and help influence women to become filmmakers or involved in film production.

Attending this program is essential because I will be entering into my senior year and this program and most media programs are not filled with women, especially black women, and it will give me the chance to learn from a new perspective before graduation. Though a lot of people choose to study abroad, I believe the amount of black women who apply for study abroad opportunities for film school is fairly low. Growing up in the impoverished areas in Kansas City, Missouri I was never granted the opportunity to explore the world nor have most of the people from my childhood. I was given a book that outlined countries and their capitals and crayons to color them in but that was about how in depth we were when it came to studying different countries. I grew up believing that living in Kansas City was my final stop before I grew old, and that someone had to possess some form of intellectualism or talent to succeed in life. For years, I forced myself to learn how to sing and even though I was not blessed with that talent I literally tried to force myself into becoming a singer just so I would be able to escape poverty. As a child I watched singers perform all over the world through my television box and I dreamed of the day that I would be able to travel the world, and embark on many different adventures. The adventure was the only thing that mattered. Neither of my parents is native to America; my mother is from Jamaica and my father is from Liberia. I have yet to visit either country for myself. In my early teenage years, I decided to join the world of Harry Potter in which I began my quest to traveling to Europe. Of course, I planned to attend Hogwarts and ride flying brooms, but most importantly I wanted to travel and bring stories to life. My mother was always ready for the open road and would tell me countlessly “Ree no matter what happens in life, no matter which wrong road you take, make sure you’re aiming for a goal and you’ll find yourself going towards the right direction”. She wanted me to travel the world and make something great of myself and when my mother died, a part of me died with her. I did not want to travel any more, I became worried about everyone and I never wanted to leave. As time passed I realized that traveling was what made me happy and I used my mother’s passion for my brothers and I to be successful as my goal to push harder and fight longer to accomplish my endeavors. I take heed to her words because I believe every dark path leads someone with passion and willpower back to the light.

Attending a Historically Black College and University has made finding funding for my program very difficult, not only because of the type program in which I am studying but as well as because I am apart of a underrepresented population. I will soon enter into my more extensive courses and I am ready to experience most of those courses in another country. A place that is different but inviting, frightening but enjoyable. Now that I have nearly completed my junior year at Clark Atlanta University, I am prepared to experience a new world where opportunity and self-growth accumulate in a safe, fun, hands-on and friendly environment. Receiving my campaign goal, will grant me opportunities beyond my wildest dreams. As a first generation college student, studying abroad would definitely provide me with the expertise, and skill to complete my goals of making a great name for myself across the world. I have dreamed of the day where I would be a household image and name, and where I promote art and talent to the world. I will write, direct and star in my own films so that when the times come, I can help other struggling artists succeed. With my opportunities seeming so close it seemed that my dreams of traveling to the Europe were deterring. The financial hardships I encountered began to push my plans of studying abroad back so much that I thought I would not be able to do so at all. After my mother passed, my family hit a hardship. My father still pushed me to go to college but he did not have enough money to finance my education and still be afloat. I have taken out student loans to help with my educational advancement. I have a little brother and sister that are four and five, and with children in the home I know it is hard for my father to stay grounded by himself and help me with funding. My father was also just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer this year and adding any more stress is definitely not what I want to do. I would love to attend Edge Hill University, and embark on a semester of filmmaking, location scouting, and site exploration but I still need to meet their financial obligations. As a Mass Media Arts major, I was engulfed in the world of Film, Acting, and Television by projects that the upperclassmen were working on. In no time, I had made myself a part of different peoples’ lives and helped run multiple shows, edit films, and joined the production teams for two popular shows on campus.
I work for the Coca-Cola Company as a Guest Relations Ambassador and I give tours to thousands of guest visit from countries all over the world including India, Spain, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Italy, Holland, Nigeria, Germany and a host of other places. Most of the visitors I have encountered were traveling from India and Mexico but those from England were always eager to help me on any questions I asked, including telling me that I was pronouncing Lancashire wrongly and that I should pack a few coats and a poncho. The most enjoyable part of working with all of these different people are that they all had different experiences and most people who flew into Georgia were only visiting for a few days and were beginning their tour across the rest of America. With the experience being granted to me to work with international students and local students, I know that I will learn a lot about the culture in Lancashire. Now with all my passion, perseverance and determination I am ready to embark on that Journey to Edge Hill University and study with amazing filmmakers, directors as I not only study abroad, but welcome Osmkirk, Lancashire as a new home.

This past semester has been rough and with only one more year left, I was informed that I would have to pay my institution about $8,000 to be enrolled for the school year. I am a television and film student, with a current GPA of 3.5. Last semester I received a 4.0 and I am extremely excited about that. I have scholarships from my institution but since they are from the school they are considered "Discounts" and will not be able to be used for my study abroad trip. $8,000 dollars for the year is very expensive and has caused a lot of stress and with the inability to pay for it, I decided to find a cheaper option. I was awarded a $5,000 scholarship to study abroad and if I go, I would have to come up with $1,300 dollars compared to the $8,000 dollars for my home institution.I am desperate for your help. If I am able to pay for the study abroad program which is $1,300, it would leave me with a balance of $4,000 for my final semester, which is way better than paying $4,000 for both semesters. Please donate what you can to help me deter my final price and share with your friends and family. $5, $10, $15 or any amount you can donate will help.

Organizer

Reeyana Sehgeh
Organizer
Atlanta, GA

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