Stef's Study Abroad Trip to Brazil

Hey GUYS!

So some of you may or may not know that I am planning on studying abroad in the spring of 2018. I will be studying in Floripa, Brazil while attending the Federal University of Santa Catarina (one of the top colleges in South America). I will be studying Portuguese and taking economic courses to finish off my last semester before coming back to graduate in May. 

I decided to study abroad for several reasons:
-I am passionate about learning about new cultures
-I want to learn Portuguese
-I want to do missions work while abroad (I am currently in the process of getting connected to a local church where I could possibly help serve the community).

My expenses while abroad include:
-room/ stay ($2200)
-plane tickets ($2000)
-transportation
-food
-emergency fund

I plan to finance my study abroad program by applying to different scholarships, using financial aid, getting donations, and using personal savings. This semester has been particularly difficult for me as I’ve had to take up 3 jobs to pay for school and save money to go abroad. Many times, I’d come home around 11PM to start my homework, go to bed around 2, and then wake up at 8 to start my day again. Nonetheless, I am determined to go and would appreciate prayers and/or donations to study and live in Brazil. By supporting me, you are helping me get closer to achieving my dreams and goals.

Some of my academic goals include learning about other educational systems, foreign policies, and other cultures.  Being able to study in the Federal University of Santa Catarina would allow me to learn about political expansion and approaches to global development. I would greatly benefit, personally and intellectually, from expanding my bicultural worldview while studying in this institution. I would also learn to accommodate to a different educational system that would further expand my approach to learning how things work economically and why they matter.