Semester at Sea definitely did not give me the financial aid I was hoping for. I was only awarded $3,000. Now, keep in mind, $3,000 is definitely a lot of money... just not when you compare it to $23,000. And I have to pay for the trip myself. So, for a little while I was struggling: Do I take on THAT much in loans? Is it worth it? How the hell am I going to come up with the money for that?
Well, I came to one conclusion: FUCK. YES.
I decided that this trip is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. At first I was thinking: I'll just go another year, it's no big deal. But it is. It doesn't matter if I go later, I'll still probably have to pay off that much in loans. So why not just go now, when I've been getting to know people who are going to be on the voyage and slowly kind of falling in love with all of them?
I've been attempting to raise funds in a few ways: I've been sending out sponsor letters, setting up a tip jar at work, and making a fool of myself via youtube:
So far I've made about $40, which is a pretty sweet start in my opinion. But I definitely could use some help.
If you know anyone who's rich, generous, or has five bucks they're willing to donate, please send them in my direction. I'm getting to the point where I'm tempted to sit outside of a baseball game and ask people to donate just one dollar, that could make me some money, right? Actually, I might do that next time there's a baseball game...
So, what's after SAS?
Well, SAS will be ending December 13th. I have a feeling there will be a few days after that where a few people will still be hanging around, and then I'll spend a bit of time with my family before I leave them all again.
Starting January 11th, I will be living in ITALY.
I'm moving to Padova, Italy to be an au pair for an absolutely adorable little boy with an absolutely adorable little family. I'm SO excited to start!
Well, that's what's new with me. Love you all.
