Hello, my name is Katia Poujol, and I’m a UX Design student at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), currently in my sophomore year with a 4.0 GPA.

I was recently accepted into a SCAD study abroad program in Lacoste, France, which offers a course that is only available at that campus. As a UX designer, this opportunity means everything to me. It’s not just about traveling—it’s about immersing myself in a new culture, learning design through an outside perspective, and growing both academically and professionally in ways that simply aren’t possible back home.

I completed all of the required paperwork and officially enrolled, beyond excited to take this next step. However, when I reviewed the cost, I was honestly shocked. The program is $8,000 on top of my $20,000 tuition. My student loans already cover my tuition, and my parents are helping as much as they can—but I still need $2,000 to make this program possible.

I come from Honduras, and I’m the first in my family to attend a school like SCAD. Being here is the result of years of hard work, discipline, and believing in myself even when the odds were stacked against me. My parents have sacrificed so much to support my education, and I’m endlessly grateful—but this cost is more than we can handle alone. I’ve also already paid for my plane tickets to and from France, fully committing to this opportunity.

I’ve included some of the work I’ve created at SCAD so you can see how seriously I take my craft. Design isn’t just my major—it’s my future. This program would give me access to a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience that would shape my career and open doors I’ve been working toward for years.

Any contribution, no matter the size, would mean the world to me. Even sharing this fundraiser helps more than you know. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting my dream of continuing my education and growing as a designer.

With so much gratitude,

Katia