Funds to help students go abroad

Traveling abroad can be pricey.

Studying abroad, even more so.

That's why Amizade, a non-profit organization and West Virginia University partner, will be holding its annual "Do it in the Dark" fund raiser Oct. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

The event allows students and community members to either take part in a one mile walk, 5K run or a 20 mile bike ride on the Monongahela River Rail Trail.

All money raised will go toward global service learning trip scholarships for students, as well as, program funding for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, which has limited staff and resources.

According to Rebekah Harlan, program coordinator of the Amizade Morgantown office, despite the fact that most money is put back into the communities in need, the small Pittsburgh based organization gave nearly $20,000 in scholarships from September 2007 to 2008.

"For a lot of students, (money) is a huge obstacle," said Natalie Wynne, a WVU junior criminology student and the vice president of Amizade's student organization, Students Going Global.


"Most people don't have an extra five grand lying around to take a trip to a third world country and help someone else. I hope that this event will get Amizade's name out there and give more people a chance to get involved."

Along with the Amizade fund raiser, students can receive financial help through loans, University grants and departmental scholarships.

"I was lucky enough to have a good scholarship through WVU and a lot of help from my parents," said Chris Drescher, a psychology senior. "However, the good thing about Amizade is that you know your money is going to a wowrthy cause."

Linked to WVU's Center for Civic Engagement and Office of International Programs, Amizade provides students with nontraditional study abroad programs that incorporate global awareness, community service and college credit.

Wynne said that although she has yet to attend an Amizade program, she can't wait to apply.

"I want to contribute something," she said. "I've done traveling on my own, and it was a blast, but if I can make even the smallest impact in a place that needs help, then I'll be twice as satisfied".

Drescher, who is also a member of Students Going Global, also enjoys giving back.


"I have always been interested in service from my work with Habitat for Humanity, so it was a natural fit for me," Drescher said. "It was a really life changing experience. I had a chance to make personal connections with people who have a completely different way of life".

Among various service and global awareness activities and the publicity for Do It In The Dark, Students Going Global has bigger plans for the WVU community, Drescher said.

"I think that this group has a lot of potential to hopefully be a part of an overall movement to change the culture of WVU to a more globally aware campus," he said. "Some of that is happening now with environmental concerns gaining importance, but I think that focus also needs to be redirected to the human aspect of our global connectedness and responsibility."


Registration for the event can be done on Amizade's Web site and also at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park, the race site.


Student entrance fees are $15 and $25 for community members.

Additional information on programs and the Do It In the Dark fund raiser can be found at their http://amizade.org or at the Morgantown office in Room 343 in Stansbury Hall.

danielle.clements@mail.wvu.edu