Study Abroad University of Stirling
Hello everyone! My name is Reagan Martin, and I am currently an undergraduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. I am majoring in Health Education with minors in Health and Exercise Science and Philosophy. My field is usually underrepresented, in the way that a very small percentage study abroad. In fact, I am the first from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s College of Health and Education to apply for foreign studies. This experience will provide unique educational opportunities that will help support my future goals in the field of sports science. In the Spring of 2017, I will be studying abroad at the University of Stirling. I am beyond excited to be a part of the API program through my university and visit Scotland for its authentic background, natural elegance, educational alternatives, and cultural differences. It has always been my dream to travel the world, and I am thrilled that this opportunity to further my education in the United Kingdom has come my way.
I have always been a health and fitness enthusiast, from my many years as a competitive gymnast and ongoing hobbies of boxing and swimming, to my role as a NETA Certified Personal Trainer and USA Gymnastics professional member. My knowledge in this field is extensive and constantly growing as I work toward my goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. I suffered a gradual spine injury during my time as a gymnast, one that ultimately caused me to quit the sport and struggle with back pain on a daily basis. Having gone through the injury and an extensive, life-changing physical therapy program, I am drawn to this career and feel that it is my duty to help others who are restricted by a sports injury. Being a competitive and recreational gymnastics coach for five years now has really taught me how to connect and share my knowledge with children, and I intend to continue doing that through my professional career. I know that my efforts will be rewarded soon, and that with a little help, I can reach my dream of being able to help others in an irreplaceable way.
Hard work and determination are some of my strongest qualities, as I am constantly striving to succeed and reach my goals. I graduated high school as an active member of the BETA club, Mu Alpha Theta, and the National Honor Society with a 4.2 Grade Point Average. At UALR, I am affiliated with the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and hold the secretary position at our chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the International Philosophy Honor Society. I’ve also managed to stay active in my community, hold two jobs, volunteer nearly 100 hours, and make the Dean’s List for four consecutive semesters while pulling a 3.73 GPA. I also volunteer at my local humane society on a weekly basis, getting my fill of animal love while putting my skills to use.
This international opportunity will add an irreplaceable experience to my portfolio. The University of Stirling offers Sports Studies and Health and Exercise Science courses that are not available at my current university. Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence, with professors known as international research leaders in sports nutrition, exercise physiology, and more. Expanding my knowledge through these courses will not only better prepare me for a career in Physical Therapy, but will introduce me to cultural alternatives and teach me new skills that I can bring back and use within my community. The University of Stirling is ranked first in Scotland and eighth in the U.K. and hosts a student body of approximately 11,000 students that I can’t wait to be a part of.
Beyond the university itself, endless opportunities come with this study abroad experience. Stirling is one of the most beautiful and historic sites in Scotland. As an ancient capital of Scotland (1326), Stirling is rich with significant landmarks such as bridges, statues, churches, monuments, and castles. From a hike up the Dumyat, to the Darn Walk wooden bridge and cave, there are so many sights and experiences to discover.
I have worked extremely hard throughout my academic career to take this journey, and the financial requirement is the biggest obstacle I’ve yet to overcome – even with the scholarships I’ve secured exclusively for this opportunity. However, studying abroad is an expensive task, and I am still a few thousand dollars short for tuition, my return flight, and traveling/living expenses. If I do not secure these funds, I will be unable to reach this goal and it will delay my progress. Please help me fulfill this dream and take on an adventure of a lifetime! Every donation helps, no matter the amount. Thank you!
-Reagan
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Follow my experience by visiting my blog!
www.reaganmartin.com
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3/12/17: I can't believe that I left the United States two months ago! I've already seen and done so much, and I love the new independent woman I'm becoming. As a lot of you know, my birthday is coming up this month, and all I want is to travel more! I really want to take advantage being here and see as much of Europe as I can. After all, I don't know if and when I'll make it overseas again after this semester. I have a few more trips planned, but my funds are really tight, so if you or anyone you know could spare a little change to invest in this lifetime opportunity for me, I'd appreciate it more than you know! Every donation makes a difference, no matter the amount. Thank you to everyone that has helped me get to this point; you've truly changed my life.
"Travel far enough, you meet yourself." // David Mitchell
www.reaganmartin.com
1/5/17: One week to go! Any last minute donations would be greatly appreciated, no matter the amount! #countdowntoscotland
12/13/16: Woah. In exactly one month from today I will be landing in a country on the other side of the world. By myself. 4,236 miles away. It's definitely becoming real, and I want to thank everyone that has supported me this far to make this opportunity possible. From donors, likers, sharers and fundraisers to those who have given me kind words of encouragement or researched places to visit while I'm there, thank you. You've made such a difference in my life, and I can't wait to share this irreplaceable experience with you in return. So keep it up and share this post, and here's to one month left and a successful campaign!
12/12/16: Not sure what to get your lady for Christmas? Lipsense makes the perfect stocking stuffer or gift! There are tons of colors to choose from, so you're sure to find the one that's perfect for her. Not to mention, they're waterproof! Ten percent of each purchase this month goes toward my study abroad campaign, so don't miss out! Visit the link or contact Samantha Moore for ordering details.
http://www.senegence.com/MakeupandMoore
12/2/16: Well, we're over $2000! Thank you to everyone who has donated, set up fundraisers for me, and shared my page; you're the reason for my success! With only a little over a month before I leave for Scotland, I ask that my friends and family continue giving anything you can. Remember that any amount helps, even if it's only $5! If you can't donate, please be sure to share this post with your friends. You never know who might be willing to put a few dollars toward my educational opportunity, so give them the chance to see it. Thank you everyone!
12/2/16: Hey ladies, the best part about Lipsense is its durability! Food-proof, smudge-proof, kiss-proof, water-proof, you name it! Get beautiful color that lasts 24 hours. And remember, ten percent of every purchase this month is donated to my study abroad campaign, so everyone wins!
Contact Samantha Moore for ordering questions and details.
http://www.senegence.com/MakeupandMoore
11/28/16: These next few weeks I will be selling Lipsense longlasting lipstick to help raise money for my trip abroad! Perfect color that lasts over 24 hours! These products make fantastic Christmas gifts, so let me know if you're interested. Contact Samantha Moore for ordering questions and details.
http://www.senegence.com/MakeupandMoore
11/19/16: Do you like any of these paintings? Make a donation, and you could win one! Whoever makes the largest donation to my study abroad campaign this month will receive an original Reagan Martin painting. Remember, any amount helps! Please be sure to like and share this post!
https://www.gofundme.com/reagan-martin
11/7/16: Thanks to 34 generous donors, I have raised $1790 towards my study abroad experience in Scotland! I couldn't be more grateful for this opportunity, and for everyone that has gotten me this far! I am truly blessed to have all of this wonderful support from friends and family.
Please keep it up by:
Donating- Remember any amount helps!
Sharing- You never know which of your friends might be willing to support my cause, so make sure they get the chance to see my campaign!
Liking this post- The more likes that my status gets, the more it shows up in other people's news-feeds!
"Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport."
11/2/16: Exciting offer! Whoever makes the largest donation to my study abroad campaign this month will be gifted an original Reagan Martin painting! I'm mostly known for my trippy abstract designs, but I also do realistic paintings. Please consider my cause, and make a donation today for a chance to win a beautiful piece!
https://www.gofundme.com/reagan-martin
Please like and share!
10/31/16: Donate $5. It won't break the bank, and it makes a huge difference to me.
Share this post. If you can't donate, maybe your sister's boyfriend's cousin's grandma will. All it takes is one click.
10/21/16: Big news! I'm excited to announce that I have received another scholarship from API Study Abroad - Academic Programs International to dedicate towards my Scotland campaign! I am beyond thankful to this organization, and also to my generous donors that have supported me this far. If you haven't had the chance to read my story or consider my cause, please click the link below. Every like, share, and donation brings me a little bit closer to my dream, and I hope you'll be a part of it too!
"We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us."
10/18/16: 11 days! You only have 11 days to take advantage of my Rodan+Fields skin care party, where ten percent of your purchase benefits my Scotland fund. Whether you have sensitive and cracked skin, sun spots, wrinkles, razor burn, or unwanted acne, there's a product out there for everyone, so don't miss this opportunity! Visit this website to see what might work for you:
https://cynthiaann.myrandf.com
If you have any questions, feel free to message Cynthia Ann Townsend for details!
And don't forget to donate, like, and share my GoFundMe campaign:
https://www.gofundme.com/reagan-martin
10/10/16: Interested in sharing or donating towards my Study Abroad - University of Stirling campaign?
https://www.gofundme.com/reagan-martin
Interested in buying some new skin care products that you've been hearing about with an included donation to my campaign?
https://cynthiaann.myrandf.com/
Remember, anything helps, and how could you go wrong with so many incredible Rodan+Fields regimens to choose from?
Please DONATE, LIKE, and SHARE. It only takes a few seconds of your time to make a huge difference for me!
10/6/16: Thanks to 26 generous donors, I now have $1360 towards my Study Abroad fund! While I wait to hear results from the scholarship contest, I encourage my friends and family to continue sharing and donating, because every dollar helps. This experience at Scotland's #1 ranked school for Sporting Excellence is an adventure that will forever impact my life and help me move closer to a career in Physical Therapy. If you haven't seen my page updates, please click the link below to see how you can make a difference today. I have nearly 1600 Facebook friends. If every person sacrificed an afternoon snack to donate just $5, I could reach my goal in minutes. Consider my cause, donate, like, and share.
"Teamwork makes the dream work!"
9/28/16: This is it! Today is the last day of the #GFMScholarship contest before the judging begins. My page is featured on page 1 of the website, but we need to keep its popularity up. Let's show GoFundMe that my friends, family, and community support my aspirations! Sacrifice that snack at the vending machine for a $5 donation, and share this post! Just a few seconds of your time mean the world to me!
9/27/16: There's one day left on the #GFMScholarship contest, and while I have been trying not to get my hopes up, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous and excited! I've had a few more donations and people sharing my page, and I'm so thankful for that. My only worry is that my campaign will be lost in the thousands of others out there, and that maybe my message isn't strong enough. All in all, I'm grateful for the opportunity and I hope that GoFundMe sees the work I've put into my success, as well as my financial need for this scholarship. Win or lose, I have to make a deposit by October 15 to the University of Stirling, so I'm encouraging you guys to pull me through this last leg of the race. Please donate. Please like. Please share. All of these things increase my chances, and I really need your support.
If you haven't checked out my page, please click the link below and consider giving to my cause. Whether it's $5 or $500, anything helps!
I'm excited to see the results and share this experience with you. Thank you for helping me get this far, and stay tuned!
9/24/16: Exciting news! Thanks to my generous donors, I now have $1,125 towards my goal! My campaign is trending with 204 shares, but I think we can do even better. I have 1,582 friends on Facebook. If every person donated just $5, we could raise thousands of dollars in minutes!
And that's not all! I've recently entered Go Fund Me's #GFMScholarship contest for $10,000. I've updated my page photo and description, but I really need your support! The more the page is shared, and the more donations I receive, the more likely I am to win the scholarship. The contest ends on September 28, so help make a difference right now! Click the link to check out my updates, and please be sure to donate, like, and share this post. Just a few minutes of your time mean the world to me, so help a sister out!
"Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."
9/21/16: What generous donations! Thanks to last week's donors I now have $870 towards my adventure abroad. As promised, I will also be volunteering for 17.5 hours at the Humane Society of Pulaski County.
If you haven't checked out my page, be sure to click the link below. Studying abroad is an expensive challenge, and even with $10,000 in scholarships specifically for this, I'm still behind on my financial goal. Any donation helps, no matter the amount.
And to all of my donors, likers, and sharers out there, thank you and keep it up! Share this one for me too!
"The world is a book, and those who don't travel read only a page." -Saint Augustine
9/12/16: What a great start! So far, I have raised $520 towards studying at the University of Stirling, on top of the scholarships that I've secured. Thank you to last week's generous donors!
This week, I will dedicate 5 volunteer hours to the Humane Society of Pulaski County for every $100 donated. The Humane Society is a wonderful no-kill shelter with "warm hearts for cold noses." They rescue, love, and find homes for thousands of abused and homeless animals each year.
If you haven't, please check out my page and consider donating to my Study Abroad fund. Remember, any amount helps! And of course, be sure to like and share this post!
9/7/16: I am beyond excited to announce that I will be studying abroad in Scotland for the Spring 2017 semester! I have been preparing for this opportunity for a long time now, and I've worked very hard to get where I am. Even with all the scholarships I've secured, I am still short of my financial goal. Please take a look at my page and consider donating to my cause - any amount helps! I'd appreciate it if you could also like and share this post to spread the word for me. I've worked so hard to achieve this life goal of mine, and will do whatever it takes to make it a reality. Hopefully you'll be a part of it too!
