Send Leah to San Jose, Costa Rica this January!
Through CIS Abroad and Columbia College Chicago, I plan on taking an ecology course for three weeks in Januray, 2016, in San Jose, Costa Rica! Ecology is simply what is offered during the time I plan to go, however I plan on studying the land and environment that is Costa Rica much more intently and thoroughly than any course would offer. My friend Jess is also going, and we could not be more excited!
Studying abroad is a very important aspect of my education. I plan on having my own nonprofit company that provides dance and movement therapy opportunities to survivors of domestic violence, especially young women. My company will offer free or discounted dance classes as well as movement therapy classes to survivors, in addition to talk therapy, legal counseling, and other forms of art therapy. We will work in schools across the country, and eventually across the world.
In order to fully understand the audience I plan to address, I need to travel! Different countries come with different languages, social structures, gender roles, historical implications and so much more. Culture ties into domestic violence in a tremendous way, and I know that domestic violence is not only a problem in the United States, but (even moreso) in the entire world. It is important to me that I make my company's resources accessible to any and all people who need or want them, regardless of ethnicity, origin, or language.
Being a victim of domestic violence myself, I understand how intensely our societal culture played into the mindset of my abuser, as well as the reactions of disbelieving peers. Culture is a broadly defined term, however in any sense of the word it will always contribute to an atmosphere of violence if that is what society deems "okay". Unfortunately, most do. Domestic violence is rampant in Costa Rica as well, even though they are doing great work to combat it. Shelters are only funded by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), not the government itself. Sex trafficking is a large problem for citizens as well as unsuspecting tourists. The current President of Costa Rica, a woman named Laura Chinchilla, has taken many steps to attempt to put more funding towards shelters, spreading awareness, and including women in governmental positions. Traveling to Costa Rica would be more than beneficial in terms of educating myself on domestic violence related issues in other countries, as well as how different parts of the world are attempting to solve the problem.
Obviously, a three week trip will not allow me to fully comprehend the vastness of this topic, nor will it allow me to "save" or "fix" anything. However, this small trip is simply the first step in the right direction when it comes to training myself and furthering my education on the matter.
My company will be called The Sunflower Project, because against all odds, sunflowers relentlessly turn themselves towards the light. That is what survivors of domestic violence around the globe need to do, and I aim to help.
Go to
https://www.fundmytravel.com/Leah-Zeiger-1436734001/campaigns/Send-Leah-to-Costa-Rica-1436734125/view
to help me fund my trip!
Through CIS Abroad and Columbia College Chicago, I plan on taking an ecology course for three weeks in Januray, 2016, in San Jose, Costa Rica! Ecology is simply what is offered during the time I plan to go, however I plan on studying the land and environment that is Costa Rica much more intently and thoroughly than any course would offer. My friend Jess is also going, and we could not be more excited!
Studying abroad is a very important aspect of my education. I plan on having my own nonprofit company that provides dance and movement therapy opportunities to survivors of domestic violence, especially young women. My company will offer free or discounted dance classes as well as movement therapy classes to survivors, in addition to talk therapy, legal counseling, and other forms of art therapy. We will work in schools across the country, and eventually across the world.
In order to fully understand the audience I plan to address, I need to travel! Different countries come with different languages, social structures, gender roles, historical implications and so much more. Culture ties into domestic violence in a tremendous way, and I know that domestic violence is not only a problem in the United States, but (even moreso) in the entire world. It is important to me that I make my company's resources accessible to any and all people who need or want them, regardless of ethnicity, origin, or language.
Being a victim of domestic violence myself, I understand how intensely our societal culture played into the mindset of my abuser, as well as the reactions of disbelieving peers. Culture is a broadly defined term, however in any sense of the word it will always contribute to an atmosphere of violence if that is what society deems "okay". Unfortunately, most do. Domestic violence is rampant in Costa Rica as well, even though they are doing great work to combat it. Shelters are only funded by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), not the government itself. Sex trafficking is a large problem for citizens as well as unsuspecting tourists. The current President of Costa Rica, a woman named Laura Chinchilla, has taken many steps to attempt to put more funding towards shelters, spreading awareness, and including women in governmental positions. Traveling to Costa Rica would be more than beneficial in terms of educating myself on domestic violence related issues in other countries, as well as how different parts of the world are attempting to solve the problem.
Obviously, a three week trip will not allow me to fully comprehend the vastness of this topic, nor will it allow me to "save" or "fix" anything. However, this small trip is simply the first step in the right direction when it comes to training myself and furthering my education on the matter.
My company will be called The Sunflower Project, because against all odds, sunflowers relentlessly turn themselves towards the light. That is what survivors of domestic violence around the globe need to do, and I aim to help.
Go to
https://www.fundmytravel.com/Leah-Zeiger-1436734001/campaigns/Send-Leah-to-Costa-Rica-1436734125/view
to help me fund my trip!
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