Please Help me Study Abroad In Florence, Italy

Hi, My name is Sydney Crawford. I am a junior interior design student at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. I fell in love with Kent State University’s College of Architecture and Environmental design not only for the amazing Interior Design program but because of the study abroad opportunity. When I found out that Kent State offers semester trips to Florence Italy, I knew Kent State was the school for me. Growing up I always admired the beautiful architecture and interiors of Italy, France, and Europe and dreamed of traveling the world to someday get the chance to see these amazing buildings up close.

Through taking classes at Kent State such as Art History Renaissance to Modern Art, Global Architectural History, Global History of Interiors, and design theory, I have grown an even more appealing interest in studying abroad in Florence Italy. Because of these classes, I have learned so much about the amazing architecture and interiors across Italy. I want to see these amazing historical structures in person because images and drawings simply do not do justice in the classroom.

Experiential learning is so important in understanding design, culture, and history; it is something that cannot be understood fully in textbooks or lectures.

Some of the most beautiful and historic architecture and interiors originated in Italy during the renaissance and medieval periods. Some of my favorite architecture and interior buildings I have studied in Florence, Italy are Giotto's Campanile, The Baptistery of St. John, Florence Cathedral, Palazzo Pitti, Basilica of San Lorenzo, and Hall of the Five-Hundred. Other beautiful architectural buildings in Italy that I admire are the Colosseum, the Duomo of Milan, the Mole Antonelliana in Turin, the Florence Cathedral, and the building designs of Venice.

I am extremely excited about this opportunity because I believe that travel is life-changing and the experience supports personal growth, learning, and impact as a global citizen. I have always dreamed of seeing the world, taking in experiences, and connecting with people from other cultures.

I plan on continuing my education at Kent State University to attain a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design, in May 2024. After graduation, my dream carer in interior design would be to work for a commercial architectural firm that specializes in small community projects like community centers, libraries, cultural centers, and minority-driven projects. In my free time, I enjoy playing volleyball, spending with friends and family, and helping the community. I am on the Academic Deans List and maintain a 3.6 grade point average. I am also heavily involved in many organizations on campus such as The National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS), Interior Design Student Collaborative, Black United Students, and I am on the Sister Circle Organization Programming Committee.

As much as I want to make it to Florence, Italy my household finances have always been tight. Growing up in a single-parent household hasn’t always been financially easy. My mom has always done everything she could to ensure I have the career of my choice and academic success. Growing up, I may not have had everything I wanted but my mom made sure I had what I needed. Finances became even more stressful when suddenly, my family found out my mom was very ill. In 2015, my mom had a tumor the size of a grapefruit on her chest. She had the tumor removed, however, to this day she is still facing long-term health difficulties from a faulty mistake in her procedure. While removing the tumor the surgeon paralyzed one of her vocal cords making it extremely hard for her to get airflow through her lungs. My mom has really bad asthma on top of vocal cord paralysis. This unexpected health scare has affected our family in ways unimaginable not only finically but emotionally and physically.

I am seeking Financial assistance to help me attain my dream of traveling to Florence, Italy. Anything you could provide would bring me one step closer to achieving my goal. My deadline is December 31st, 2022 Thank you so much for supporting this opportunity.