I’m Nia Queen– a community organizer, writer, and educator from Louisville, Kentucky.

As a recent graduate from Western Kentucky University, I have firsthand experience studying abroad (and finding ways to pay for it.) Sailing on Semester at Sea (Spring 2023) and participating in World Learning's Youth Leadership Institute in South Africa & Mozambique (Summer 2019) impacted not only how I see the world, but reinforced the value of returning home and transforming my own community.

Transparently, I had two completely different experiences. World Learning’s Leadership Institute is a fully funded merit-based program that completely covered our travel and program costs for six weeks in South Africa & Mozambique. There are no words for how fortunate and grateful I am to that program. I know just how much financial support can change a life because this opportunity changed mine.

Consequently, Semester at Sea is the most expensive study abroad program that exists. Just over $30,000 to be exact and no, I was not nearly as lucky this time. In fact, I maxed my very first credit card paying the $1,000 program deposit. We were supposed to set sail in January but by November I was crossing my fingers, praying to somehow drag myself to Dubai and meet the ship. I picked up a job working 3rd shift at White Castle just weeks before the voyage to help pay for it.

It’s important for me to be honest and not romanticize the financial commitment, while still showing my passion for having these opportunities for myself and others. Delusion, or maybe intuition got me around the world and back. I can only say it was a success because I’m writing this now.

18 countries and 4 continents later, SOJOURN is an act of gratitude to myself for the countless months and many tears spent working to fund my journey around the world. This is my commitment to making it easier for people like me. There are many more robust scholarship options in terms of studying abroad, but none like this. None completely community-ran and sustained for the benefit of the collective. If I could offer more to alleviate the financial burden of international travel, I would. But I know where I can start. Please join me if you can.