Scotland Sojourn: 1st Semester
Donation protected
Hello friends, family, cohorts, internet travellers and well-wishers!
It is official! I scrounged up enough change to get my student visa, which means I can legally study in the UK until January of 2018!
This past year has been eventful. I've graduated summa cum laude from Portland State, spoke at conferences, was pubilshed in a variety of magazines, participated in art shows, moved home, road-tripped across half the US, had back-to-back surgeries (appendix and cyst removal), moved to New York, interned at Marvel... and the year isn't even over yet!
I've secured the funding for my tuition and housing while I'm studying at the Universtiy of Dundee, but due to the events that have transpired this summer (unexpected surgeries, living cost in NYC), money is a little tight.
"PUBLISH OR PERISH."
That phrase holds true for academia as well as the comics industry, hence my last hoorah at crowdfunding before I leave on August 31. As networking is key for professional growth (as well as getting your foot in the door), I have three events lined up for my first semester in Scotland:
ICE-Birmingham: Comics Uncovered (Sept 11)
£130
http://www.smallzone.co.uk/
Lakes International Comic Art Festival (Oct 14-16) £100
http://www.comicartfestival.com/
Thought Bubble /Comics Forum (Nov 5-6) Leeds £140
http://thoughtbubblefestival.com/
My aim is to raise enough funds to attend these events, central for my career and professional growth. The comics uncovered event is a day long series of workshops with wold renound creators in an intimate setting. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is also hosting a series of workshops and bringing in comics industry folks from around the world. Thought Bubble not only hosts the British Comic Awards, but also the academic conference put on by Comics Forum. As I am both interested in the industry as well as scholarly inquiry, attending these events will give me first hand experiences at international comics culture, an asset in todays global market.
It comes to £400, or roughly $520 (at the current 1.30 conversion rate). Since I never had a graduation nor a going away party, how about instead of spending that $5 on a craft pint of beer, you can figuartively donate that beer to my academic and professional growth?
It doesn't hurt to ask.
The original campaign:
Jessica here, preparing for the journey to graduate school in Scotland. Over the past year I have been gathering information, searching for funding, working and wrapping up classes at Portland State University. The time is coming near to apply for my student visa to stay in Scotland for the year of the graduate program, which requires a hefty sum to prove that I indeed can support myself during my stay. But with more than full-time courses (I've been taking 4-5 instead of 2-3), leftover hospital bills from my elbow and trying to keep a roof over my head, it's been hard to save.
To back up for a second, I am planning to study comics at the University of Dundee in a year-long postgraduate program (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pg/comics-studies/). I have been studying and creating comics for several years, and am looking forward to a dedicated space and time where I can fully explore and research this up-and-coming academic field. Currently I am finishing the Comics Studies post-baccalaureate certificate at Portland State University, which has provided a foundation for graduate-level comics studies, but I yearn for more.
Financially, it is more cost-effective to study in Scotland versus the University of Florida, where they have a similar graduate program. Studying in Scotland will grant me a MLITT degree in 1 year versusa 2-3 year program, which alone is huge savings ($20k versus $60k). Accommodation is also more affordable, and flights to and from Scotland are only $300-$400 each way (if you book in advance). These three factors, along with an opportunity to live abroad, have solidified my decision to study in Scotland.
The great thing about the University of Dundee is that they accept FAFSA graduate loans, which will alleviate the tuition burden. But that is only $20,500 of the $40,000 I hope to save, which will allow travel while there. It would be a shame to travel halfway around the world and not get to see anything beyond my dorm room.
I have been working hard, but I have come to realize that I cannot accomplish my monetary goal alone. I am still enrolled through March at Portland State University, which when completed I will have 5 certifications/degrees in the arts, art history, english, medieval studies, and the comics studies certificate. Since there is not a degree for a career as a comic book editor, I manipulated my courses and degree fields to prepare as much as possible. While doing this, I have been working at the College of Urban and Public affairs as a library attendant, computer lab attendant, and fill-in assistant in the Dean’s office. I also work for the Box Office, and as a research assistant to medieval art historian Dr. Anne McClanan. But that’s not all! For well over a year now, I have been the volunteer intern at Sequential Art Gallery in downtown Portland. Kaebel and Merrick have been co-curating comic and sequentially themed exhibitions for a decade, and the experience working there has been priceless. I also have spent time volunteering at Reading Frenzy, the Portland Art Museum, P.A.C.E., BodyVox and local comic conventions such as Stumptown (RIP) and Rose City Comic Con. I really do love the comics medium.
Where does that leave us? I am applying for grants and scholarships, seeking sponsorships, working full-time and harassing my family for financial support—but I am still left short. The fee to apply for the VISA is $500 alone, and I must have at least 6 months of living expenses saved in order to be considered. The FAFSA loans will cover tuition and fees, but I am still working to save enough for accommodation, associated fees and flights. I am asking you my friends, family and well-wishers, to search your couch cushions for spare change and find it in your heart to donate to my study abroad adventure. I am hoping to raise $2000 by May, congruent with my own savings, to obtain my VISA. More information about money required for a Tier 4 VISA can be found here: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/media/dundeewebsite/international/factsheets/factsheet-1-appendix-2-required-funds.pdf
If my 400 Facebook friends each donated $5, the cost of a fancy latte or going-away pint, I will have reached my goal! I don’t believe in asking for something without giving something in return, so patrons who include their mailing address with said monetary donation, you will recieve a personalized gift from me! From notebooks to paintings, postcards to the first glimpse at my dissertation, I hope to make this an inclusive experience. I look forward to hearing from you, even if it’s just well wishes and travel tips, I am eternally grateful.
-Jessica, aka: Jay, Sissy Pants, Daughter, Zcha Zcha
It is official! I scrounged up enough change to get my student visa, which means I can legally study in the UK until January of 2018!
This past year has been eventful. I've graduated summa cum laude from Portland State, spoke at conferences, was pubilshed in a variety of magazines, participated in art shows, moved home, road-tripped across half the US, had back-to-back surgeries (appendix and cyst removal), moved to New York, interned at Marvel... and the year isn't even over yet!
I've secured the funding for my tuition and housing while I'm studying at the Universtiy of Dundee, but due to the events that have transpired this summer (unexpected surgeries, living cost in NYC), money is a little tight.
"PUBLISH OR PERISH."
That phrase holds true for academia as well as the comics industry, hence my last hoorah at crowdfunding before I leave on August 31. As networking is key for professional growth (as well as getting your foot in the door), I have three events lined up for my first semester in Scotland:
ICE-Birmingham: Comics Uncovered (Sept 11)
£130
http://www.smallzone.co.uk/
Lakes International Comic Art Festival (Oct 14-16) £100
http://www.comicartfestival.com/
Thought Bubble /Comics Forum (Nov 5-6) Leeds £140
http://thoughtbubblefestival.com/
My aim is to raise enough funds to attend these events, central for my career and professional growth. The comics uncovered event is a day long series of workshops with wold renound creators in an intimate setting. The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is also hosting a series of workshops and bringing in comics industry folks from around the world. Thought Bubble not only hosts the British Comic Awards, but also the academic conference put on by Comics Forum. As I am both interested in the industry as well as scholarly inquiry, attending these events will give me first hand experiences at international comics culture, an asset in todays global market.
It comes to £400, or roughly $520 (at the current 1.30 conversion rate). Since I never had a graduation nor a going away party, how about instead of spending that $5 on a craft pint of beer, you can figuartively donate that beer to my academic and professional growth?
It doesn't hurt to ask.
The original campaign:
Jessica here, preparing for the journey to graduate school in Scotland. Over the past year I have been gathering information, searching for funding, working and wrapping up classes at Portland State University. The time is coming near to apply for my student visa to stay in Scotland for the year of the graduate program, which requires a hefty sum to prove that I indeed can support myself during my stay. But with more than full-time courses (I've been taking 4-5 instead of 2-3), leftover hospital bills from my elbow and trying to keep a roof over my head, it's been hard to save.
To back up for a second, I am planning to study comics at the University of Dundee in a year-long postgraduate program (http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pg/comics-studies/). I have been studying and creating comics for several years, and am looking forward to a dedicated space and time where I can fully explore and research this up-and-coming academic field. Currently I am finishing the Comics Studies post-baccalaureate certificate at Portland State University, which has provided a foundation for graduate-level comics studies, but I yearn for more.
Financially, it is more cost-effective to study in Scotland versus the University of Florida, where they have a similar graduate program. Studying in Scotland will grant me a MLITT degree in 1 year versusa 2-3 year program, which alone is huge savings ($20k versus $60k). Accommodation is also more affordable, and flights to and from Scotland are only $300-$400 each way (if you book in advance). These three factors, along with an opportunity to live abroad, have solidified my decision to study in Scotland.
The great thing about the University of Dundee is that they accept FAFSA graduate loans, which will alleviate the tuition burden. But that is only $20,500 of the $40,000 I hope to save, which will allow travel while there. It would be a shame to travel halfway around the world and not get to see anything beyond my dorm room.
I have been working hard, but I have come to realize that I cannot accomplish my monetary goal alone. I am still enrolled through March at Portland State University, which when completed I will have 5 certifications/degrees in the arts, art history, english, medieval studies, and the comics studies certificate. Since there is not a degree for a career as a comic book editor, I manipulated my courses and degree fields to prepare as much as possible. While doing this, I have been working at the College of Urban and Public affairs as a library attendant, computer lab attendant, and fill-in assistant in the Dean’s office. I also work for the Box Office, and as a research assistant to medieval art historian Dr. Anne McClanan. But that’s not all! For well over a year now, I have been the volunteer intern at Sequential Art Gallery in downtown Portland. Kaebel and Merrick have been co-curating comic and sequentially themed exhibitions for a decade, and the experience working there has been priceless. I also have spent time volunteering at Reading Frenzy, the Portland Art Museum, P.A.C.E., BodyVox and local comic conventions such as Stumptown (RIP) and Rose City Comic Con. I really do love the comics medium.
Where does that leave us? I am applying for grants and scholarships, seeking sponsorships, working full-time and harassing my family for financial support—but I am still left short. The fee to apply for the VISA is $500 alone, and I must have at least 6 months of living expenses saved in order to be considered. The FAFSA loans will cover tuition and fees, but I am still working to save enough for accommodation, associated fees and flights. I am asking you my friends, family and well-wishers, to search your couch cushions for spare change and find it in your heart to donate to my study abroad adventure. I am hoping to raise $2000 by May, congruent with my own savings, to obtain my VISA. More information about money required for a Tier 4 VISA can be found here: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/media/dundeewebsite/international/factsheets/factsheet-1-appendix-2-required-funds.pdf
If my 400 Facebook friends each donated $5, the cost of a fancy latte or going-away pint, I will have reached my goal! I don’t believe in asking for something without giving something in return, so patrons who include their mailing address with said monetary donation, you will recieve a personalized gift from me! From notebooks to paintings, postcards to the first glimpse at my dissertation, I hope to make this an inclusive experience. I look forward to hearing from you, even if it’s just well wishes and travel tips, I am eternally grateful.
-Jessica, aka: Jay, Sissy Pants, Daughter, Zcha Zcha
Organizer
Jessica Olinger
Organizer
Portland, OR