How one man didn’t pay a dime for FIVE study abroad trips

Heather M. Jones

Have you ever imagined yourself in another country traveling, studying, and being fully
immersed in the customs and culture? Study Abroad trips are amazing with studying and
traveling all wrapped into one, but the tricky part is affording them. It’s a common problem and
a huge reason why most students just scratch it off their bucket list. Little do people know that
there are ways around that huge budget issue. There are fundraisers, scholarships, and even bake
sales that can help cut down those expenses. One man utilized all of these opportunities and
exceeded all expectations by going on five totally free study abroad trips.

“It is possible to not pay out of pocket for a study abroad by only using fundraisers, but no one
has ever done it before,” Dr. Holly Carter Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at
the former Augusta State University. James Mayes is a man of great determination and took on
the challenge from his study abroad mentor. Dr. Carter was a major player in James’ decision to
take on the task of using all Augusta Universities fundraising and scholarships. I mean when
someone tells you it’s possible though no one has ever done who wouldn’t want to be the first to
go on essentially free study abroad trips? James utilized his business skills to strategize to
businesses, managers, executives and even their employees because the best way to sell is to give
your story. The reason you want to go on the trip, why you are going, and what you plan to gain
from it and trust me it works.

Augusta University offers two fundraisers one each semester which help cut the cost of the trip,
if not pay for the entire thing. The Yankee Candle fundraiser gives you a catalog that has
multiple options from candles to air fresheners and so much more your family, friends, and
potential new customers. The way James used the catalog to his advantage was he went to
multiple businesses and talked to everyone he could about buying gifts from his catalog for
Christmas. Thankfully, the items purchased come in just in time for perfect Christmas gifts! The
raffle tickets are spring semester and usually offer travel vouchers and are such a good deal
James literally took them everywhere he went, and whenever he talked to someone he would
always ask “would you like to buy a raffle ticket?” “The worst they could say is no,” and even
though some did his determined mindset obviously paid off.