Travel is a privilege

Hey {NAME}, Today I want to tell you about something very near and dear to my heart so I hope you take the time to read this email. You and I both know how much of a positive impact travel can have on a person's life. It broadens your mind, changes your outlook on life, and exposes you to new ideas. Travel changed my life. It has taught me about the world, the people in it, and myself. It's given me an education I never would have received just inside the classroom. It's shown me there is a big world out there and that I'm capable of surviving - and thriving - in it. As a former high school history teacher, I know the value of an education. I know I'm privileged enough to be able to travel the world and do what I want because of getting a good education. Not everyone gets that chance. This is especially true for students in underserved communities - from inner city Chicago to the middle-of-nowhere Idaho. These students - in communities and from families with limited resources - don't get a chance to expand their worldview, meet people from other cultures, and bring what they learn in the classroom to life! That is why in 2015, I created FLYTE. While many wealthy school districts send students on overseas educational trips, schools and teachers in underserved areas have little or no opportunity to offer their students this experiences. Their schools and communities lack the resources to make such a trip happen. I wanted to create an organization in which was open to everyone around the country. I wanted an organization that helped people in forgotten parts of the country because everyone deserves a chance to see and learn about the world! [The Foundation for Learning and Youth Travel Education (FLYTE)]( provides logistical, planning, and financial support to high schools and teachers who want to take their students overseas to give a real-world context to what they are learning in school — think visiting the D-Day beaches in France or learning about sustainable development in a rainforest in Costa Rica. If you grew up traveling, you know how important it was in shaping the person you’ve become. If, like me, you didn’t grow up traveling, you're probably also like me in that wish you had! Travel was not an important part of my upbringing. When I see families on the road, I say to myself, "That's amazing. What a great opportunity for that child!" and wish I had had that opportunity when I was younger. As someone who knows the power of education and travel, I wanted to give students a chance to see beyond their borders, and show them that there is a world of possibility out there if they grab it. Moreover, given the political climate around the world today, I think this is more important than ever! Too many people are trying to close doors instead of open them. At FLYTE, we work with students in underserved communities to promote the benefits of travel, education, and cultural awareness by funding overseas educational programs. We provide teachers and students with the planning and funding they need to take what they learn in the classroom and put it to use in the real world! That’s where you and I come in. Today, I couldn’t be more excited to announce that FLYTE has partnered with Excelsior Academy in Newburgh, New York, to send these kids to Quito, Ecuador this summer: Newburgh, once a thriving manufacturing center on the Hudson River, has faced deindustrialization and failed urban renewal attempts that have left the town struggling both financially and socially. Complicating the matter, the Newburgh school district is located in what the FBI has repeatedly named one of the ten most dangerous cities per capita in the United States. With that in mind, we’re going send 15 Excelsior Academy students to volunteer for ten days in Quito, Ecuador. The students will volunteer at Casa Victoria, a grassroots community betterment program located in a struggling section of Quito, and work with local students helping in an after school program. Not only will they get to experience another culture, country, and continent, but they will also give back while there. As Excelsior teacher Christine McCartney says, “At Excelsior Academy, we strive to create global citizens who recognize their power to enact change at both the local and global level.” [For donations as little as $10, you can help us fund future trips so we can change the lives of more students forever](. To add some perspective: $100 covers a student’s passport fees, $350 covers accommodation for one of the students, and $2,500 funds an entire student’s trip!! But no matter the size of your donation, every little bit helps us get these kids closer to Ecuador! Moreover, some donation levels get some awesome swag: $50 – For donations of at least this amount, I’m offering my e-books How to Teach English Overseas and The Ultimate Guide to Travel Hacking, and my guides to NYC, Paris, Bangkok, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Hong Kong. $100 – For donations of at least this amount, you will get the e-books and city guides PLUS a signed copy of the print book How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and a FLYTE t-shirt (US shipping only). $250 – For donations of at least this amount, you will get all of the above PLUS an hour of travel planning with me, a souvenir from Ecuador, and a thank you card from the students! FLYTE was born so that we could help those kids who don't have the resources to travel can. With your help and generosity, we’ve funded two trips already! Because of us, 25 students have seen beyond their borders, volunteered in other countries, interacted with different cultures, and now have a passport (so they can keep seeing more). Students like Kaleb from Atlanta: “Traveling abroad exposed me to different cultures and prepared me for the diverse community at college. Because of this trip, I’ve decided I’m going to study abroad in college.” —Kaleb, BEST Academy student and FLYTE Crew participant, spring 2016 Let's change the lives of another group of kids. Let’s give back and help share the love and lessons of travel. We're some of the lucky ones. We do something most people can only dream of. Let’s help the next generation do what we know makes us happier, better, and more caring people. [Click here to read more about FLYTE and how you can get involved and change a life](. Sincerely, Nomadic Matt P.S. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, which means your donation is tax exempt! [Unsubscribe]( | 407 W University Ave, Georgetown, Texas 78626