SPC student, Londa Edwards, shares her experience in receiving a study abroad scholarship for the SPC program to New Zealand:
“I have always dreamed of studying abroad, but it always seemed unattainable to me. The college I attended before SPC offered a few trips per year, but they were overpriced, had extremely packed itineraries, and offered no scholarships to help with costs. I don’t work in a traditional job, so my cash flow is very little. I volunteer at a non-profit in my community in exchange for housing, food from the food bank, and a small stipend. I absolutely love the work I do, teaching and mentoring girls in the community, but I don’t have any excess funds to save for things like travel.
When I saw the study abroad trip for New Zealand, I was so excited! Ever since I saw the movie Whale Rider when I was 12 I was fascinated with the people and culture of New Zealand, specifically the Maori people, but New Zealand was so far and so expensive, it never made the list of places I wanted to travel. So, when I saw the trip, my heart soared…and then I saw the price. Wow. How could I ever raise that much money? Even with the scholarship offered by SPC I would have to raise/earn around another $4000. I decided to leave it up to fate. I would apply for the trip and the scholarship. If I received the scholarship, I would do everything in my power to raise the rest of the money. Luckily, I did receive the scholarship and I immediately started cutting down on expenses and raising money to fund the rest of my trip.
I am crafty, so I’ve been selling jewelry, hair bows and baked goods to the local farmers markets when I can. I am also a seamstress so I do alterations and creations when people need them. I have also applied for a scholarship from the local Rotary club as they love to help fund student studying abroad. So far I have been able to raise almost the entire amount for the trip and I’m now trying to raise enough to extend my stay by a few days in order to explore a bit on my own. I mean, how often am I going to be in New Zealand? I was also able to get my flight at a good price at the right time by using STA Travel to book my flight with a deposit and finish paying later, as I didn’t have the full amount in time.
I am beyond excited for this trip, and it has really opened my eyes. If I can make this expensive trip work, I can definitely do it again with cheaper trips. I can travel the world like I’ve always dreamed. One of my main goals with the girls I mentor is to show them that they can do anything if they work for it. They can go to college, explore the world, their only option is not to get pregnant before they graduate and struggle to feed their families. They are capable of more and there is so much out there beyond our neighborhood. Now I can actually show them what is possible, as I do it, and I can’t wait to get back and share my experience with them!”
-SPC study abroad student, Londa Edwards
Click here to learn more about SPC study abroad programs and study abroad scholarship.
Questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us.
blog.spcollege.edu/international | 727-341-4731 | studyabroad@spcollege.edu