Meet the 2023 Study Abroad Redo WINNERS! 🤩🌎
Reader,
After months of painstakingly writing, marketing, analyzing, and grading... I'm beyond excited to introduce to you: the 3x Final Awardees of the Study Abroad Redo Grant! 🥳
With 500+ applications with essays and videos, spanning 42 U.S. states, 30+ dream destinations, from applicants age 18 to age 78 (!)... selecting finalists was no easy task. The judging panel and I were blown away by the care, dedication, and thought that was put into each application. Truly, humbling stories to behold for us all.
Ultimately, what stood out about the three (3) final grant awardees was their attention to detail (IYKYK 🪂) , their passion for the Packs Light mission, and their proposals for how they envision their "study abroad redo" truly unfolding.
Below is a brand-new blog post that:
- introduces our 3 winners!
- shares the Top 10 Finalists (and, surprise, Top 20!)
- shares the link to the announcement replay—I highly recommend watching if you want an inspirational pick-me-up to start your day! My community is the BEST
- insider application tips from our 3 awardees
- more information and news about the Study Abroad Redo Grant—and what's coming next!
| MEET THE SARG GRANTEES |
To everyone who may not have applied but shared the grant with a friend, dropped love on my TikToks or Reels promoting the grant, and supported from afar: THANK YOU.
Every small action moves our entire community closer to the mission: to empower us all to seek risk, seize opportunity, (skip debt!), and see the world ✈️🌍✨
I promise to share as much of the SARG Awardees' journeys as possible as they now make their pitches real, and travel the world, from India, to Kenya, to France, and beyond. They know they have an entire community rallying behind them in support and the wellest-wishes 🥹
| READ THE ANNOUNCEMENT ARTICLE |
Sharing a funding opportunity like this has been a dream of mine for the past 10 years, literally.
Doing this has been long nights, stress, excitement, and tears. But more than anything it's been a manifestation. And there is more to come!
This first PL grant would not have been possible without my co-sponsors, Go Overseas and The Nomadic Network—and to them, I am infinitely grateful.
Gabby x
P.S. If you didn't apply - don't let it happen again 👀 Click here to subscribe specifically for updates on future Packs Light travel grants, straight to your inbox 💌
Packs Light
THE EXIT ROW 🌺✈️ Escaping the status quo, in style. Gabby BeckfordTraveler, Creator, Triple-Leo Well, its official, Packs Light Crew. As of July 2, we are halfway through 2025 🌺 ✈️ Welcome back to The Exit Row. When you're flying, sitting in The Exit Row, you're next to the escape hatch. It always made me think... being one decision away from open sky, a little chaos, and a world of possibilities? I want to keep that feeling of adventure, optimism, and potential at all times. That's what this...
I took my first solo trip at 17, Reader. No smartphone, no real plan. Just me, a 4-day backpacking itinerary, and a very serious case of delusion. Since then, I’ve traveled to more than 50 countries—solo, in groups, for work, for fun... And let me tell you: Traveling has changed. A lot. And Microsoft Copilot just reached out to me with the craziest challenge... Me, all last week... (Watch here) Technology is shaping how we move through the world. Literally. And I like to stay ahead of the...
The Exit Row 🌺✈️ Escaping the status quo, in style. Gabby BeckfordTraveler, Creator, Triple-Leo Happy June, Packs Light Crew 🌺 You might notice it looks a little different in here. Welcome to The Exit Row. This newsletter will stay monthly, but instead of being essentially a personal summary of what I did that month, I really want to make sure you're all getting value from being here and leaving feeling inspired to inch a bit closer to freedom each day. Because if I’m growing, glowing, and...