Haere rā! (Goodbye!)

Studying abroad has expanded my world-view both by allowing me to make friends all over the world and by opening my mind to different perspectives.

One of the greatest gifts I've gained in studying abroad is the opportunity to meet all of you. By sharing my experiences, I have been able to reflect on my memories and lessons learned. I have also watched you all get excited about learning new things. I hope that you will all consider studying abroad in college or even in high school. If your plans do not include continuing education, I hope you will still be able to travel abroad and appreciate the different cultures you experience. I hope that my journey has shown you how studying abroad is an attainable goal. Scholarships and programs are out there to help you financially. Four years ago, the idea of living abroad for six months seemed impossible. I hardly had enough money to afford my rent and groceries. However, I sat down with my Global Leadership Advisor and she told me about all of my options, the scholarships available and what it would cost. That day in 2018, I picked my location of New Zealand and started picking up pennies from the sidewalk while researching study abroad scholarships. Every single one of you is worthy of having a global experience, no matter what your background is. Reach out to your teachers, family and friends. Watch videos online and read about programs in your area to learn about how you can make global travel an attainable goal. I hope that some day all of you are sharing your experiences with a classroom full of bright young minds, just like I have had the honor of doing with you!

Take care,

Bri

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