Study Abroad in Buenos Aires Argentina

I’ve always made my way by jumping in despite the obstacles. Growing up I gained a lot from my public school experience but especially in high school I often felt unchallenged and not fully supported by teachers and administration.  Many of my friends struggled to be engaged at my first high school and dropped out, homeschooled or went to private schools on scholarships.            

       On my own without the involvement of my family I applied to Cary Academy and was accepted for my 11th and 12th grade year with almost full tuition. This was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.  I experienced great culture shock, socio-economically and socially. I had known the kids from my Chatham schools since kindergarten. Driving myself to interviews, taking entrance exams scheduling with admissions staff, I did all on my own as a 16 year old. I wanted to be in an environment with lots of resources and around students who had lots of support. I later found out we were being challenged in ways most college students aren’t.  

      I am passionate about being fluent in Spanish ever since having an amazing, cool and beautiful teacher named Rachel Washa. Rachel taught at Cary Academy. She was a rigorous teacher that brought me to new levels of proficiency and was a role model in her life using Spanish to go to grad school, travel, teach and then marrying someone from the Basque region. I still know her today.  

      My foundational education was the woods of Chatham County and the communities of family friends I grew up around. Transplants like my parents who moved to the area in the 1970’s as idealistic young people. They taught me to question the status quo, pay attention to politics, and feel at home in the woods.  

      Now I'm going to study and live in Buenos Aires, Argentina for a year.  I am so glad I am not doing this as a twenty something year old. I feel I am in a place that I can get the most out of this experience and challenge myself in ways I can’t fully fatham at the moment.

     The program I am a part of is through Butler University and UNC. It will allow me to study at 4 Universities in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have been working extremely hard as a Latin American Studies Major at UNC Chapel Hill and a teacher in an amazing early childhood education program with 2 to 5 year olds for the past four years. Entering this program will be the first time I am a full time student while at UNC.

       I have had a dream to finish my undergrad ever since leaving my first college because of a life threatening illness.  I am happy to say my hard work paid off! I have been awarded the prestigious Melvin A. Halpern Award from my department for $5,000.00 (three times the amount they usually award!!). I also received $2,500.00 scholarship from IFSA to attend the IFSA-Butler University Argentine Universities Program.   The money I am working to raise here will help to cover some of my program fees involving tuition and staff support services. These services help students living in the city. The total tuition for this program is $33,000. The remainder I still need to cover is $7000. I hope to raise $3000 of it through this crowdfunder.

       This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for me and it would jumpstart my career as I pursue teaching English in foreign lands through the Fulbright Scholarship after college. All the courses I take go directly toward my major and when I return home I will have one semester left!


       Would it be possible for you to assist me in reaching this goal?


Any contribution would be greatly appreciated. I  appreciate you taking the time to read this and learn more about what I am up to and where I come from regardless of any donation. 



Adios!

Katie Chiosso Kenlan






My spanish teacher Rachel, me and her daughter

All of you at my going away party in May


My family back in the day. I wanted an excuse to show you some old photos.

Aunt Patty, me and mom Elaine


Kids in the garden looking at a lizard