Meet Dhara K., Fundraising participant getting ready to study SALUD Medical Spanish in Santo Domingo

What is your background?
I am 20 years old, a senior undergraduate student,  dual majoring in International Studies and Biology, pre-med at Virginia Commonwealth University.  I currently live in Virginia Beach.

Do you travel abroad often? 
I was born in India and came to America at the age of 7 months.  I’ve been back almost every summer during grade school to visit family, and I developed an interest in international healthcare since shadowing a pediatrician in Surat, a major industrial city in India.  After two service trips to El Progreso, Honduras last year, I caught the travel bug—and it just won’t let me go!  I’m looking forward to serving our Spanish-speaking Central and South American neighbors as a physician one day.

Have you studied abroad? 
On Semester at Sea in Fall 2010, I completed coursework on a ship, the MV Explorer, with fellow American and international students, while traveling through Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong

Which languages do you speak or have studied? 
I speak Gujarati, my native language of India, and have studied Spanish for nine years.

Tell us about one of your biggest challenges you’ve encountered abroad.
Reverse culture shock—coming back to the United States and perceiving your society, peers, and family differently from the way you viewed them before—is really difficult to face.  They may not understand where you’ve been, the experiences you’ve had, the people who have touched your life so profoundly.  But have faith that there are people who will understand, who will help you make a difference in the world.  It’s really hard to realize that I am only one person and I can’t help everyone or fix all of the inequalities of the world.  Some say that my efforts are just a “drop in the bucket,” but I believe that as a future physician and educator of fellow healthcare providers and students, I hope that I can make a broader impact on my fellow Americans by sharing my traveling stories, and bringing others on my journeys abroad.

Why did you choose an AmeriSpan program?
I found the SALUD medical Spanish programs online and they struck my interest as an opportunity that would fit with my interests, so I decided to apply.

How are you fundraising? 
I am getting my previous high school, my current university, and my Virginia Beach community involved in my fundraising campaign.  I am setting up presentations and writing letters to local businesses and professional organizations to request donations. 

Do you have any tips for other fundraisers? 
The sky’s the limit!! Just get creative and don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams are not possible!  Believe in yourself!

Do you have any tips or advice for others planning to studying abroad? 
No matter how much planning you do, you’re simply going to have to dive in, head first, and take the experience as it comes.  Remember to bring pictures of your friends and family, of important events—graduation, parties, etc.—from home so that the people you meet and the friends you make abroad can know your story as well.  Realize that you make just as big of an impact on them as they do on you.

Are there any fundraising activities that you want us to help promote? 
Not yet, but I will let you know!

See Dhara's Fundraising Story

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Fundraising Program or make a donation

Meet Halina C., Fundraising participant who will study at AmeriSpan's Valencia Spanish school

What is your background?
I am 20 years old living in Santa Cruz, CA. I have a older brother who is 24. My mom was born and raised in Offenbach, Germany. I currently go to a local Community College called Cabrillo in Aptos, CA and am studying International Business with a Minor in Spanish, next year I will transfer to CSU Monterey Bay for my Bachelor's. 

Do you travel abroad often?
As much as I can! I haven't as much in the last 5 years, but I try to go to Europe almost every other year now. 2 years ago I went to study Italian in Naples, Italy and it was amazing.  

Have you studied abroad?
Only once before, when I was in Italy two years ago, and it was the most fun I had and the most amazing experience to be really immersed in all aspects of the culture.  

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
I speak English but have studied Italian and Spanish.

Tell us about one of your biggest challenges you've encountered abroad.
Probably the biggest challenge was first getting my barings down when I was in Naples. I come from a pretty small town in the Bay Area, and Naples was a bit overwhelming with 3 million people. I was a little intimidated at first, but eased right into everyday life after my first couple days of school.  

Why did you choose an AmeriSpan program?
I didn't want to go with my college again on a trip, I wanted to do something on my own so I decided to look around online. When I found AmeriSpan i got really excited because it looked like a really good school and had such great reviews.

Do you have any tips or advice for others planning to studying abroad?
Anybody you who wants to study abroad, all I have to say is to keep a open mind and try everything! To get the full experience you have to try everything at least once and do as the natives in the country you are in do!

Read Halina's Fundraising Story

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Fundraising Program or make a donation

Meet Renee S., Fundraising participant who will study Spanish in Uruguay

What is your background?
Age 26, masters degree, Virginia

Which languages do you speak or have studied?

Meet Lucie C., Fundraising participant who will study Spanish and volunteer in Honduras

 What is your background?
I'm a seventeen year-old high school senior. I'm going to be on a plane to go volunteer in Honduras at 5:00 am the very next day after my high school graduation! So much culture shock, haha! I live in Austin, Texas, and I volunteer a lot and currently work part time for two nonprofit organizations. I'm headed to university next year to be a psychology major, but I plan to go into social work after that. I currently live with my parents, younger sister, and dog (who is the love of my life).

Do you travel abroad often?
I have been to rural Mexico several times for mission work, but I've never traveled through AmeriSpan. 

Have you studied abroad?
No.

Which languages do you speak or have studied?
I've studied Spanish. I can't say I'm fluent, but I get by okay.

Tell us about one of your biggest challenges you've encountered abroad.
In Mexico, the biggest challenge was always leaving. I tended to get sad a few days before I was supposed to depart, because I loved where I was and I loved the people I had been living and working with. The culture shock of coming back to Texas was not the most fun thing ever, but totally worth it (of course).

Why did you choose an AmeriSpan program?
There are three main reasons I like AmeriSpan (even though I haven't been on my trip yet). For one, they have a huge variety of programs for people of all different language levels with all different interests all over the world. I was able to find exactly what I was looking for: a social work opportunity working with kids in Honduras for someone who knows some Spanish but isn't fluent yet. That's really specific! The second reason is that they have low costs compared to other travel abroad programs. And third, they've been really easy to work with. *high five, AmeriSpan*

How are you fundraising?
I wrote a letter that included a link to my fundraising page on AmeriSpan and sent it to all my relatives. I didn't want to be pushy but I did want them to be able to donate if they wanted to, so I just told them what I was doing and then said, "If you want to help me…" When people donate, I send them a handmade thank-you card. 

Do you have any tips for other fundraisers?
Just keep trying. Ask the people who already want to support you but may not know how, like distant rich relatives if you've got any. But try not to get too consumed with the money aspect of it. The trip is about learning and/or serving others, not who can get the most money.

See Lucie's Fundraising Story

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Fundraising Program or make a donation

So far, this feature has been popular and a very helpful tool for students to finance their plans. Our site has an FAQ page for those wanting to find out more, including some ideas for getting your fundraising started! Some of these ideas include:

• Do some research to get ideas. A quick Google search of "fundraising ideas" will get you started.
• Start a blog or document your efforts on Facebook (remember to post your donate link from your fundraising dashboard).
• Ask your friends and family to donate. $5 or $10 may not seem like much but multiple that by many people and it can add up. You may be surprised, some distant relative may make a big donation.  Remember to ask for donations in lieu of birthday, graduation and other gifts (hint: you will still probably get gifts too!)
• Spread your "My Story" and Donate links in emails, blog posts, etc.
• Find some sponsors whether it is your boss, teacher, spouse, or parent to help spread the word by soliciting their friends and co-workers.
• Keep AmeriSpan updated on your efforts so we can keep your story updated.  We may even blog about you.

Need more ideas? Check out FundraisingIdeas.org or Fundraising.com for even more inspiration!

Learn more about this program on the AmeriSpan Fundraising page.

For more information see: Study Abroad Fundraising

Are you a potential donor but can't decide who to donate to?  Then donate to the General Donation Fund.  AmeriSpan will match your donation and distribute these funds to participants based on financial needs and their fundraising efforts.

Membership is free and you'll receive links to paste into emails, blogs or facebook so friends and family can easily donate directly to your AmeriSpan program. You will also gain access to your Fundraising Dashboard which tracks your donations by donor, amount and date.

Go to: Study Abroad Fundraising program