Help Ari on their Dream Internship in Australia

I understand that as their mom, I am biased. But anyone who has ever met Ari already knows of their limitless kindness, generosity, and empathy...especially when it comes to animals. Ari has been a "bird mama" since their early teens when they had the opportunity to raise chickens in their grandparents' backyard...hand-feeding them grasshoppers, cleaning out their coop regularly, and even burying them by hand when they passed away due to unexpected illness.

Since then, Ari has attended Florida State University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology at the ripe old age of 20. During that time, they had the opportunity to take ornithology courses to continue their study of birds and also studied under Dr. Emily DuVal in her research lab. They have written papers and won some awards, but none of this has proven to be enough when it comes to getting into a graduate program.

The research world requires a lot of experience in order to be accepted to study under a professor in most PhD programs. And in the research world, experience comes through internships. Because Ari was late to the ornithology/conservation research game, they didn't get the chance to build that experience at FSU.

Ari has spent the past 6 months applying to internships all over the world in the hopes of getting the chance to study and learn under some of the field's best and brightest. And last week, they finally got the news...they were invited to go to AUSTRALIA!! They will have the opportunity to spend April - July in Geelong, Victoria (an hour from Melbourne) working with a PhD student and her team at Deakin University. Needless to say, Ari is over the moon excited. But there's a catch...

While this internship will provide housing and food, it is up to Ari to come up with the money to get themselves there and cover any other costs that may arise during their time there. This is where we need your help. As I, myself, am just finishing up my own graduate degree...Andy and myself are not in a position financially to finance this trip for Ari. They do have some savings leftover, but most of their money paid for their room and board at FSU over the past two years. It also turns out that acquiring the necessary visa requires Ari to have at least $5,000 in the bank at the time of travel. Add to this the cost of the visa itself and the medical exams necessary to have it approved, and the numbers start to become unmanageable.

This trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity and dream for my Ari, who has spent the last several years struggling with one challenge after the another. Please help us to make this dream come true. Any amount, however small, would be a huge help in getting them there. Thank you so so much.