Dominika is a 2016 India Field Schooler. Finances can feel overwhelming at times. She offered to share this note about her experience with India Field financing with you.
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Good afternoon my dear prospective 2018 India Field-schoolers,
My name is Dominika, and I’m a 2016 field school participant as well as a peer mentor for you ~ groups G & H.
I’ve been attending some introductory meetings and have noticed a pattern in some uncertainties among the students wanting to attend next years’ field school. I have noticed that for many of you, finances are a primary reason behind questioning your ability to go, and that’s exactly what I would like to talk to you about.
Let’s begin with the obvious, it is an expensive trip. As a fellow student, I entirely understand your concern as I was in your exact shoes just over a year ago. No matter how badly I wanted to go, the finances just would not add up. But let me tell you one thing. Now after completing the field school and allowing this experience to change my life, and my views, I know participating in this amazing experience was the one thing I will never regret no matter the money.
Now let me tell you how I managed to afford the trip as that it exactly what you want and need to know.
1. Scholarships and bursaries – throughout this year you will be given many opportunities to apply for various scholarships and bursaries, some academic and some that are specifically meant just for travelling students which you are VERY likely to receive. Through both your faculties as well as other sources you will have many chances to score $700+ for the things you apply for.
2. GoFundMe – many of you have probably heard of this but for those who haven’t, GoFundMe is an online platform many of us used to raise some money for the trip. Once your friends and family read about what this trip means to you, what you are going to learn and how badly you want to go, you will get some amazing donations from people you might not even know or those you didn’t expect to care! (This option would be organized outside regular MRU field school activities).
3. Fundraisers – Last year I planned a fundraiser in collaboration with a local bar/restaurant as well as a silent auction which allowed us to raise some money (for the Ashram) from both selling tickets as well as the silent auction contributions.
4. Gifts – From now until next May there will be birthdays, Christmas, Anniversaries and many other occasions for you to instead of asking for a new pair of jeans you could ask for some money works every time as it’s less time consuming than shopping for a gift, and you can put away the cash to your “India” sock.
5. Spending cash – Once in India you will NOT need thousands of dollars to satisfy your shopping needs. All your day to day things will already be paid for, and the currency exchange will allow your money to go much further than you may think.
6. Cash return – although not guaranteed it is a VERY HIGH possibility that after you come back from your trip you will get a return of some extra money that was not spent during the trip. Our professors spend comfortably yet sparingly so by the time you are back you could expect a few hundred dollars back in your account.
There are many, many ways you can raise and save some money to be able to experience this trip of what I promise you will be a trip of your lifetime.
As a peer mentor, if any of you have ANY questions or you would like direction and help with your fundraising and events you just send me an email or find me on Facebook ( Dominika Dabrowska) and I will be more than happy to help!
Sincerely,
Dominika
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