Hidden Treasures of Europe

My backgraound: 

My name is Shaunda Johnson and I am a junior at LSU with a 3.5 GPA. I have managed to overcome many adversities within my college career such as my mother battle with breast cancer and trying to find a balance between work and school. This past fall semester has been particularly rough as I managed three jobs, participated in multiple organizations and carried a full course load with a life-consuming research class. Despite my obstacles I defeated the semester with 4.0 and humble sense of accomplishment. I have been attempting to study abroad for some time now but due to financial restraints, I have managed to fall short. After being accepted into the Hidden Treasures of Europe summer study abroad program, I told myself that I was going no matter what! My passion for adventure and thirst for knowledge can only be satisfied by participating in this program. I aspire to learn as much as I can about relating to all kinds of people, which is why I chose a major in Public Relations. Studying aboard will allow me to master new techniques of relating to various audiences on a global scale across a multitude of platforms. Hidden Treasures of Europe's goal is immersion, understanding and tolerance. The opportunity to expand my horizons by participating in the Hidden Treasures of Europe summer study abroad program will equip me to be competitive in my career field by obtaining first-hand knowledge of how media and technology have bound us all together. The program includes trips to Bursa, Turkey; Ephesus, Turkey; Hvar, Croatia; Istanbul, Turkey; Izmir, Turkey; London, United Kingdom; Prague, Czech Republic; Split, Croatia; Vienna, Austria. I will have the opportunity to visit the headquarters Radio Free Europe and CNN Turk. While participating in the program I will be completing two courses, which are media ethics and responsibility and media and culture. Beyond the media excursions we will visit the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, British Museum, Diocletian Palace, a local humanitarian relief organization and the beaches of Croatia. The cost of the program is $4,675.00, which does not include the plane ticket to and from Europe nor spending money.  The estimated budget for spending money is $1,200.00. The money I receive from your contributions will be used toward purchasing a plane ticket and the program fee. This program offers me an experience of a lifetime to learn from journalist, editors, and public officials from radio and television stations across Europe. I am asking for donations ranging from $15.00-$100.00 to help me get to Europe. I deeply appreciate your contribution to helping me achieve my goal. Please feel free to share my story so that others can also contribute to the cause. Thank you for your consideration and have a blessed day.

Shaunda J.