Empower Taylor Petty's Global Learning Experience

Hey y’all,

I’m Taylor Petty, and I’m graduating from Valdosta State this May with a degree in Speech Pathology! I’ve been accepted into a summer program in Ghana—and this isn’t just a trip, it’s a big step toward becoming the kind of speech pathologist I’ve always dreamed of being.

This will be my first time leaving the country, and I couldn’t be more excited (and a little nervous, too). I’ve always known I was called to help people. That’s why I chose speech-language pathology—to help people speak, connect, and feel understood. But to be the kind of speech pathologist I want to be, I know I’ve got to step outside of what I know.

I’ve grown up in Georgia and loved my life here, but I know that to really support people from all walks of life, grow outside the bubble I’ve always known. I have to see more, learn more, and stretch myself.I’ll be taking courses and doing service work in Ghana—learning from the people, culture, and history. That kind of immersive experience is valuable, especially in a field that benefits from diverse perspectives. I want to be part of shaping that change—not just by showing up, but by contributing something unique. My goal is to connect with people from all walks of life and support them in communicating in ways that feel natural and empowering.I’m pulling from my savings, getting my passport, and doing everything I can to make this trip happen. But I need some help to cross the finish line. My goal is to raise $6,000 to cover the full cost of the program—including housing, courses, service learning, and flights.

If you know me, you know I’m serious about my goals, I care deeply about helping people, and I try to bring good energy into every space I walk into. I’m ready for this next step and excited for what’s ahead.

If you’re able to donate, thank you so much. If not, just sharing this means a lot.

Let’s make this happen!

Love,

Taylor