Our Crowdfunding Groups
Donate today to help make this travel-study possible for our SSU students!
THE WHAT (The Course and the Travel): From May 31– June 10, 2022 14 students and 2 faculty will be traveling to northern Greece (Thessaloniki) for 10 days of learning and collaborating with students & faculty at Aristotle University and with policymakers, civic leaders and nonprofit professionals (working with refugees) as part of the course “Crossroads Cities: Salem and Thessaloniki” which has been running since January. The course explores the layered histories of urban spaces with a specific focus on the intersecting concerns of race, migration, gender, power and the role of activists and artists to respond.
THE REQUEST: We aim to raise $6,000 between now and May 31? The funds will offset the cost of travel for a very deserving and financially struggling group of SSU undergraduates in an innovative study-travel course. A $50 donation will cover the cost of one group museum visit. A $100 donation will allow a student to work 8 fewer hours to afford this trip. A $1,000 donation will cover the cost of two nights of lodging and two breakfasts for the whole class.
THE WHY: Why we are fundraising? What is the student need?
Because students at Salem State are struggling. Because global and intercultural study/travel experiences should not be reserved for only the well-to-do. Because most of the students traveling have never left the US before. And…critically…because raising $6,000 would dramatically impact the financial health of the 14 students who will be traveling.
Despite all the ways we have worked to keep cost of this course and trip down (only $2,600/student for 10 days and no extra cost for the 3 credits earned) in order to expand travel-study opportunities, the cost is a burden for many. All the students are working paid jobs (15-40 hrs/week) on top of fulltime college and are taking on some debt to have this experience--an experience which will transform them and provide them with skills and knowledge critical for the 21st century.
HOW YOUR DONATION IMPACTS STUDENTS: STUDENT TESTIMONIALS from PAST COURSE/TRIP
Traveling across the world was not something I had envisioned as a sophomore in college. When I got the opportunity, I took advantage of it. It was when I had settled in the beautiful, historical city of Thessaloniki that I realized that it was just more than thousands of years of history. It was about the people. The experiences. The memories. The connections. And most importantly about me. Being on this trip helped me dig deeper with myself. It was on our third to last day of the trip, we visited the Rotunda. I was looking around and I saw brown angels on the ceiling. I saw angels that had my skin color. It was an awe moment for me, but it helped me connect to the idea that people of color have navigated everywhere in the world and somehow their stories had been forgotten or hidden in history. This was my calling. This was my passion. Racial and social issues became the area in which I was excited to study and learn more about. Because of this trip it helped me flourish into the person I am today and how I identify ethnically. -Virginia
While travel has undoubtedly enabled me to simultaneously learn more about myself and become more culturally aware of my peers during my time at Salem State, the Thessaloniki Greece trip is a unique opportunity. The focus of this course and this trip centers transnational and crossroad collaboration between Salem State and University of Aristotle at Thessaloniki students. This opportunity enabled me to incorporate my love of basketball into contemporary American Studies haikus. This trip enables students to learn in innovative ways. -Anthony
For more information please contact:
Prof. Elizabeth Duclos-Orsello, Ph.D.
Chair and Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies & American Studies// Salem State University
2016 Fulbright Scholar//Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
educlosorsello@salemstate.edu