As of May 23, 2022, we have reached 100% of our goal! Thank you! I am no longer asking for donations. However, if you would still like to help with other financial expenses of the trip, such as the flight home to the US and some meals, you are welcome to. Thank-you gifts are still available.
Campaign Date: April 18, 2022 to July 8, 2022
Let’s travel through England’s literary landscapes together.
Please help me, Meggie Tran, finish my Bachelor’s in English degree in — of all places — England, the origin of the language! I’m beyond thrilled — my senior English studies from Arizona State University (ASU) couldn’t have ended in a more fitting location.
Table of Contents
My Personal Video to You
In English
In Vietnamese
How is this program helping me make a difference in the world?
Writers, Wordsworth and Stoker, had their inspirations to write their works based on the landscapes of England. Now it is my turn, as a travel blogger and writer, to be in their footsteps.
I’m a young 22-year-old with a burning curiosity! I need mentorship from the writers I’ll be studying. I strive to understand the ways they’ve absorbed the world into their writing.
The English landscapes themselves serve as my mentors. Their natural scenery, history, and people will inspire me to best express them through the written word. In short, I need travel experiences so that I share them with people like you.
I want to build my career as a travel blogger and writer — under the name, Mindful Meggie — so that I can help people like you travel the world. As someone who has been diagnosed with the condition, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), my passion is specializing in the mental health and mindfulness aspects of travel. My resources make travel more accessible for people with mental health considerations. My stories inspire the natural fun and learning that comes from traveling.
I already have a combined 500+ social media followers and about 50 blog subscribers. Many have sent me a personal message, saying they have found my blog helpful in their personal journeys. But I always want to be helping more people.
Please help me support my mission to promote mental health through travel, using those stories and resources. When you help me, you will be helping others in our community.
Why should you care?
Like a pen pal, I’ll write to you all about my exciting adventures and lessons learned! Whether you’re an armchair traveler or want inspiration to travel the world, you are welcome to join the journey with me, an aspiring travel writer who goes by the name, Mindful Meggie. I’ll use the electronic platform you prefer: my Mindful Meggie blog, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
In this compelling study abroad program, ASU: Reading England’s Literary Landscapes of Lincolnshire, London, the Lakes, and Beyond from June 5 to July 7, 2022, we’ll be learning how notable English authors have taken inspiration from their local landscapes to produce their renowned stories. We can understand their beloved connection between the land and the literature.
How has the charming seaside town of Whitby influenced Bram Stoker, who would eventually give Dracula to the world?
I’ll give you rare access to William Wordsworth’s home, Rydal Mount, hidden in the hills of the Lake District. How do his poems come alive here?
These are just some of our explorations. I’m so excited to take them! But especially with you.
Our program’s homebase is the Harlaxton Manor in Lincolnshire, England. It’s a sweeping castle that speaks to quintessential England so harmoniously. Welcome home!
Funding Details
My Portion I’ve Already Spent
I’ve worked hard to fund a portion of my program fee:
- $2000 from work. Over the past year, on top of studying full-time, I’ve worked at two part-time jobs. Whether I’m hosting revision workshops for English students at ASU or producing new all-ages games under RocketSnail’s Moose & Polo Show project, I’m investing towards my England trip.
- $1000 Travel Grant (scholarship) from the ASU Global Education Office. In exchange, I will write a blog post for the office about my study abroad trip.
But these funds are not enough, which is why I am graciously asking for your help. The $7985 program fee covers tuition for six English credits (the exact amount and type I need to finish my degree), housing, most meals, program-related transportation, admission for all program activities, and international health insurance.
To afford the rest of the fee, I ask that you contribute any amount you can ($10, $50, anything, and be sure to check out the Donor Rewards where I’ll give you gifts from your top tier and all previous tiers!) towards my fundraising goal shown in the fund breakdown below. You will help me finish my Bachelor’s in English degree. Beyond educational requirements, you are investing in a young traveler’s exciting literary trip through England and a noble cause in my writing and blogging mission.
The Fund Breakdown (Updated May 23, 2022)
As of May 23, 2022, we have reached 100% of our goal! Thank you! I am no longer asking for donations. However, if you would still like to help with other financial expenses of the trip, such as the flight home to the US and some meals, you are welcome to. Thank-you gifts are still available.
Fund | Dollar ($) Amount |
Program Fee | $7985 |
Work | $2000 |
Scholarship | $1000 |
Donations So Far | $4985 |
Donations Needed | $0 |
Please help me fund the last stretch of the program fee. May you please donate $10, $50, anything? I would appreciate every dollar you can give.
I will be forever thankful for any contribution you can make. The value of our shared literary trip through English landscapes is lifelong and profound. You would help me achieve the ultimate dream of following the footsteps of legendary writers.
Remember that I will give back to you however I can, based on the amount you can gift. My online travel narratives, postcards, and even writing opportunities or speaking engagements are available!
Thank you for your consideration! I hope we can connect.
Donor Rewards
You could earn personal gifts and gifts for your organization!
At your highest tier donation, you also receive all previous rewards. For example, if you donate $100 for the poem on a postcard, you also receive the archive, name credit, and video.
Gift | Amount ($) | |
An archive of all my travel writings across all online platforms (blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) | $10 | |
Your name (and if applicable, your organization) will be credited in all upcoming posts INCLUDES PREVIOUS REWARDS | $25 | |
A short, personalized video from a location in England INCLUDES PREVIOUS REWARDS | $50 | |
My original free-verse poem to you on a physical or electronic postcard INCLUDES PREVIOUS REWARDS | $100 | |
A written article (story or practical resource) for your organization INCLUDES PREVIOUS REWARDS | $250 | |
Public speaking in-person (LA, Orange, San Diego, California) or online INCLUDES PREVIOUS REWARDS | $500 |
How to Donate
Remember to review the above Donor Rewards and contribute a dollar amount to get some rewards! I will gift you the reward from your top tier, plus all rewards from previous tiers!
Here are the two ways you can donate:
If you would like to use another payment method or if you have any questions (about my academics and career, the England study abroad program, and anything else), please email me at meggie@mindfulmeggie.com.
Please spread this campaign’s link to your family, friends, coworkers, and anywhere else. Tell them that Meggie would be happy to be their online pen pal!
Love,
Meggie Tran, also known as Mindful Meggie