[nabs-l] studying abroad advise

[Beth]

I like the idea of someone hired as a guide, but it should be a
student going on the trip, not a parent or guardian because it makes
us, the blind, look like minors or something above children.  We're
not that.
Beth

On 4/24/09, Jason Mandarino <blind.subscriber at gmail.com> wrote:
> I am sure it varies from campus to campus, but I actually had the option
> posed to me in regards to paying for a friend to come with me. My study
> abroad program acted like I could be a potential liability to them, so to
> make things as convenient as possible they covered the expense of a legal
> adult to accompany me. This individual did not qualify for the education
> credits, and I did not even spend all my time with them, but we had a blast.
>
> I would not recommend taking your mother on this trip, as this will be a
> pioneer experience for you. You had approximately eighteen years under your
> mother, and it is now time for you to make some mistakes and take
> responsibility.
>
> Additionally, you may be able to pull some funding from disability services
> in regards to the financing of your guide. Obviously your time is running
> out, so options may be worth while. My disability services cover all my
> additional expenses on campus, and randomly award me scholarships. They can
> not use the money for other purposes, so we might as well.
>
> Just some ideas.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Mandarino
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of priscilla
> Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 5:34 PM
> To: nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nabs-l] studying abroad advise
>
> Dear all listers,
> This is the second time I have this challenge when it cones to studying
> abroad since the first time I planned it ahead did not work out because of
> students backing out due to financial circumstances.
> I already worked out with a friend who was really willing to go abroad with
> me and she really liked the idea  of going to Israel.
> This time, I am going to Europe and traveling to Netherlands, Belgium, and
> Brussels.
> the dean met with me and my parents because my parents had concerns for me
> being on the trip since it is the first time I would actually travel with
> the school not counting the last time I planned another trip because it
> never happened.
> my situation is finding a close friend who can go because like I mentioned
> in previous post, there will be visual tours, lectures, and also I need to
> Hearn how to deal with being in the hotel.
> The dean suggested mom going as a result but as a last resort.
> I don' really like the idea of mom being with me at all times because of the
> fact that I feel more comfortable being with other friends in social
> settings, but most of my close friends already graduated so it does not
> count anymore since they are no longer at school
> I had a close friend who is going on the trip and although I explained to
> her my situation, she still wanted to go and was glad to help me, she
> unfortunately can't go because of family and financial hardships which was
> pretty sad.
> I tried talking to other friends to come and did explain my situation and
> they already know, but again, they couldn't afford to study abroad because
> of personal issues and the expenses not because they were afraid to help me
> but they had other more complicated issues and are worse off than I am.
> I even called my friend Valerie, but unfortunately she couldn't go because
> she graduated already and she is starting med school pretty soon.
> I am so frustrated because most of my friends who are glad to help can't
> unfortunately due to other issues of there own and I have to depend on mom
> as a last resort.
> but here is another problem, mom recently transferred to another school to
> teach and her employer is strict when it comes to long absences from work
> that are a week's worth or more.
> She called me up and told me  "I am not sure I I will be able to go because
> I have to talk to my employer and I don't really think they are willing to
> give me the days I need to go on this trip with you, but I will get moor
> information because I would like to go too."
> I am glad that mom is supporting me on this trip and I thank god 1000 times
> for having grateful parents really and wholeheartedly.
> but, I am afraid she might interfere with the fact that I have to get used
> to being with my friends and do other stuff with them as opposed to her
> being with me all the time.
> I understand she has very deep concerns but, I just don't feel too
> comfortable being with mom while all my other friends are on the trip, but
> this is my last resort since I don't really have anybody else for support.
> So what do you all listers suggest please because I need to deposit the
> money as soon as possible and the latest is this coming Monday unless they
> cancel the trip which I am afraid because not many students are signing up
> due to a bad economy thanks to president bush's plan for giving other
> countries millions of dollars to be used in wars.
> So, please reply to this post with any advice, I really appreciate it.
>
> Thank you very much
>
> Good day,
>
> Priscilla
> Ps. I am starting to plan some days with my of m instructor to learn how to
> travel on train because we might use that in Europe, and I am excited to
> learn but it is very difficult since my classes overlap and I get tutoring
> for my statistic course 4 days a week and have to use Fridays for projects
> which I need help in.
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