Help me go to Europe!
Donation protected
Hi!
My name is Amber
Hobson and I am currently a Junior psychology major at Berea College. I am also a 2011
alumni of Lebanon High School. At this point in my education, I am interested
in broadening my horizons and enriching my college experience with the
opportunity to study abroad. I have been
presented with not one, but three opportunities to study abroad. I plan to
combine these trips into one seven-month long journey through Europe.
My study
abroad experience will begin in Spain and Portugal. As a member of the Berea
College Concert Choir, I have been given the chance to sing internationally on
tour. This trip will last from May 7th until May 21st.
Attached to this letter is a copy of the itinerary for the tour including the
cities we will visit and the venues where we plan to sing.
After the
concert choir tour ends, there will be an eleven day span of time in which I
will not be enrolled in a study abroad term. I will be using this time to
travel. Through the many connections I have made while at Berea College, I have
met a wonderful couple, Bruno and Esther, who live in Switzerland. I will be hiking the Alps with them and exploring Switzerland.
Beginning
on June 2nd, I will be taking part in this summer's KIIS program, in
which a select group of Berea College students will be travelling to Berlin,
Germany to participate in a four week program. The program gives up to 1.5
credits and also enables students to experience some of the cultural benefits
of living in one of the most historic cities in Germany. The courses offered
in this program focus on the holocaust and the everlasting effects it has had
on the country.
Following
the close of the summer KIIS trip, I will be attending a program called Speak
and Write in Marburg, Germany. This is an intensive language program
in which I will be studying German. Each Speak and Write course lasts for one
month and counts as one full course credit. I will be taking four courses in
this program which means I will be in Marburg for four months. I have been studying
German since August 2013 and hope to become proficient in the language through
the Speak and Write program.
While I am
receiving funding from Berea College for a majority of the cost of my trips, there is still a significant amount that is not covered. I hope to pay for this through personal fundraising rather than taking on the burden of a loan.
I am being asked to raise up to $1,000 to cover a
portion of the cost for the concert choir tour. Through donations and gifts
given to the choir, this number has decreased drastically from the original
cost.
The KIIS trip
and my term abroad at Speak and Write are a bit different financially. Berea
College provides funding for one abroad trip for each student (30% for a summer
trip or 75% for a semester long trip). I will be asking the college to fund my
four months in Speak and Write, which will bring my cost down to about $3,000.
This does mean however, that I will not be receiving financial aid for the
summer KIIS trip. The estimated cost for the KIIS program is $5,750. This
includes the cost for all classes, airfare, and accommodations, bus pass, and
some of the field trips.
Overall, I
am looking at about $10,000. Any financial assistance you could offer would be
greatly appreciated. If you would like to speak with me more about this trip,
you can reach me by phone or email. Checks may be made out to Amber Hobson (CPO
667 101 Chesnut St. Berea, KY 40404) or you can donate right here on this page. Thank you for all your support!
Most
Respectfully,
Amber
Nicole Hobson
Organizer
Amber Hobson
Organizer
Berea, KY