Aria's Dream Adventure to Africa

My name is Aria and I am a 16-year-old honor student. I’m currently a junior at KIPP NYC College Prep in the South Bronx. It has always been my dream to travel to Africa, especially since my school doesn't teach of the African diaspora. I have always been passionate about learning more about my history and culture. I was recently selected to travel to South Africa by a competitive program called the Experiment in International Living (EIL). EIL sends high school students to over 20 different countries over the summer to help build that region through community service, cross-cultural education, and cultural empathy that can be used to help bridge cultural gaps. The program has awarded me a small scholarship, however, it doesn't cover the entire cost of traveling to, and living in, Cape Town, South Africa for five weeks which is over $8000. The cost is due by May 1, 2018.

My goal is to gain an understanding of global issues and how they impact communities differently while living with a host family. My older sister traveled to South Africa during her junior year of high school and it inspired me to travel the world. Despite my challenges dealing with an unexpected diagnosis of Crohn's Disease, I have worked hard to achieve my travel goals. Traveling to South Africa would give me the opportunity to learn about the country’s culture, history, and revolutionary activism while growing as a leader and as a team player. This is why I chose a program like EIL, one that focuses on transformational leadership and social change. I want to grow to become someone who makes the world a better place for the masses, and this trip will help me gain the skills to do that while broadening my global horizon. I am grateful for any and all contributions to help fund my dream, and it will mean the world to me if my dream could come true.