"Education is not the filling of a pail, but rather the lighting of a fire." ~ William Butler Yeats

My name is Jude Kazwell, and I am a student at Florida State University. I was accepted into the competitive Psychology Program and am currently on track to apply to grad school in the fall. This summer, I have been chosen to travel to London with the FSU Study Abroad Program, which is a tremendous opportunity for me to further my studies while also gaining unbelievable experiences and memories. Only a select group of students were given the chance to attend this semester in London, so I feel extremely grateful to be one of them. My family has paid the tuition for this program, so my place is secure.

This year has already proven itself to be full of exciting and enlightening experiences. This past fall was my first semester at FSU as a junior, a year ahead of my high school graduating class, and I was able to make the FSU beach volleyball club team. This spring semester, I was accepted into the Plant Lab at FSU, an important step for my application into the Social Psychology doctoral program. My time abroad for the London Psychology summer semester will allow me to have a very personal learning environment with the ability to work closely with well-renowned psychologists in both an educational and laboratory setting. I have achieved President's List at FSU for the fall semester and hold a 4.0 GPA, but the relationships I will build with these professors will be pivotal in applying to grad school, as their letters of recommendation will be vital for my acceptance.

While I am very excited about this unique educational opportunity, I hope to travel and explore Europe before my classes begin. Psychology's focus is on understanding humanity. It is essential for any psychologist to have a well-educated and multicultural view surrounding any topic. Often considered the birthplace of Western Civilization, Europe is home to a multitude of countries, each with its unique traditions and customs. I would love to soak in as much diversity and culture as I can, which is where you come in. I have worked for the last year as a farmer and then as a Target employee, all while having a full course load and extracurricular activities, but I need assistance in fulfilling my travel wishes. Any contribution, whether monetary or by providing suggestions for what I should add to my itinerary, would be massively appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read through my story, and I thank you for all your help.

For those wishing to donate in another manner, my Cash App handle is $JudeKazwell and my Venmo is @Jude-Kazwell