Article Information

• ARTICLE_POSTED_BY: 11th Department Team
• ARTICLE_POSTED_ON: Apr 14, 2015
• Views : 461
• Category : Other
• Description : Have you ever had a dream that has never come true and you wish you took the chance to go after it? Victoria Elias is a 20-year-old Haitian-American Marketing and Communications student at Buffalo State College who is on a quest to achieve a long-time dream of hers - to take a trip to South Africa as part of the International Scholar Laureate Program. She believes that this trip will help her learn more about herself and her African roots.

Overview

• Victoria Elias

  Have you ever had a dream that has never come true and you wish you took the chance to go after it? Victoria Elias is a 20-year-old Haitian-American Marketing and Communications student at Buffalo State College who is on a quest to achieve a long-time dream of hers - to take a trip to South Africa as part of the International Scholar Laureate Program. She believes that this trip will help her learn more about herself and her African roots.
  
  For the last few years, Victoria has promised herself that she will one day be able to participate in this program. So, she decided this year to not postpone it any longer and that it was time to make her dream come true. The biggest challenge however was the $7,000 program expenses.

  We spoke with Victoria about her dream as well as her hopes for Haiti.

  What made you decide to participate in the International Scholar Laureate Program?

  I've been a member of the National Society of High School scholars, and every year they travel to different countries. As a student my finances were limited, therefore, I brushed it off by saying things like, "I'll go one year, maybe one day."

  When I received the nomination / invitation letter to participate in the Delegation on International Relations and Diplomacy this year, I did a lot of self-reflection and asked myself what I wanted to do with my life, and what was important to me. And traveling and exploring the world was part of that. After a little soul searching, I received an email 2 days later and it was about the opportunity to go to South Africa. My reaction was, “Wow,” and I was elated. A voice deep inside was telling me that dreams do come true, and that I must cease the opportunity to participate in the program.

  I shared the email with my mom and we knew that I would need the additional resources to make this trip possible, so we sprung into action by reaching out to family members, colleagues, and friends through social media, such as gofundme, facebook, 11thdepartment, etc. I thought, why not ask for help and finally go and explore a country that I have desired to visit for so long.

  What do you want to get out of this trip?

  Besides being a self-help type of trip... In the United States I'm categorized as African American, and the fact that I've never been to Africa is a disconnect that exists between who I am and who I'm set to be.

  Going to Africa on a “self” level is one way to help me learn about where I come from and get out of my comfort zone, and learn not only for myself, but also about the political climate that exists in South Africa and how it correlates with what's going on here in America. Some countries are so far apart, yet we are so interconnected, and I don't think people see how we are interconnected. By being able to travel and study abroad, I will be able to see how people live in other countries. We are all part of the same universe, and it's important to understand that.

  What do you need to be able to participate?

  This is a 14-day trip, May 23rd - June 4th. We'll go to different parts of South Africa — Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, and Durban. The trip will costs approx. $7,000.00, which includes airfare, hotel accommodations, travel fees, and incidentals. I am a college student and I receive my support from my single mom, and we don’t have the additional resources to fund the entire trip. So far, I've raised $2,400.00 and I am grateful to all those who have contributed. It is an amazing amount, but it's still not enough and we have a ways to go. So, I am still working on it.

  How did you raise the $2,400?

  My mom and I have been reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues via email, personal mailings, handouts, phone calls, text messages, etc., in hopes of a positive outcome. I recently set up a gofundme account as well.

  Tell me a little bit about your family and your relationship with Haiti.

  My Dad was born and raised in Miraguane, Haiti, and migrated to the United States at the age of 20. My mom was born in the United States and spent the first 9 years of her life in Haiti. My maternal grandparents were from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I am very much familiar with the West Indian culture and I embrace it; we all have so much in common. I was born in Brooklyn in a West Indian Community, which consists of Haitians, Trinidadians, Jamaicans, and countless others. I embrace my Haitian Heritage; I enjoy the food, and the music. Though, I do not speak the language fluently, I have a great understanding of it.  

  Do you want to be involved at some point with doing something in Haiti?

  Yes, I think at some point I definitely would want to be involved. I think Haiti is one of those countries that are overlooked, andit's such a beautiful place. It should be getting more attention. I would love to see an increase in the tourist population. I think it's portrayed as a poor country, and it's not. It's rich and full of life, and it's not given the attention that it deserves.

  I think one day I want to help bring Haiti back to life. Haiti is the first Black Country to gain its independence, and I am proud to be a Haitian American.

  To support Victoria achieve her dream and participate in the trip to South Africa, visit her profile on www.gofundme.com or on the 11thdepartment.com. To learn more about the International Scholar Laureate Program, visit www.scholarlaureate.org.