Matador Youth Scholarship Essays

About Matador’s Youth Scholarship Fund
Because so many young people lack the resources to travel, Matador has created a travel scholarship for low-income, urban high school students.

The recipients of the scholarship are chosen from a group of high school juniors who have completed the Coro Exploring Leadership Program, an innovative youth leadership program that trains low-income, urban high school juniors to become changemakers in their school and neighborhood communities.

To supplement their scholarships, they are required to raise at least $500 of their trip costs. On their return, they produce Travel Reflections that are published here at Matador, and which you can read below.

Get more information on Matador’s Youth Scholarship Fund.

Series Articles

Why travel is the most important gift

Matador's Youth Travel Scholarship enables underprivileged students to see the world.

Brave New Travelers: Special in our own ways

A travel reflection from one of Matador's 2011 Brave New Travelers.

Brave New Travelers: A newfound love for my heritage

A travel reflection from one of Matador's 2011 Brave New Travelers.

Brave New Travelers: Seeing the world differently

A travel reflection from one of Matador's 2011 Brave New Travelers.

Brave New Travelers: Slowing things down

A travel reflection from one of Matador's 2011 Brave New Travelers.

Brave New Travelers: Finding the truth with a new perspective

A travel reflection from one of Matador's 2011 Brave New Travelers.

Brave New Travelers: Becoming somebody I've always wanted to be

A travel reflection from one of Matador's 2011 Brave New Travelers.

Brave New Travelers: Lessons about life only travel can teach

Throughout the course of the trip, many of my opinions and perspectives about the world were unraveled time and time again.

Brave New Travelers: Eyes opened, thankful, and eager to return

You can’t learn and experience the things I had through a textbook or from the Internet. It’s just not the same.

Brave New Travelers: Beauty & poverty & learning to appreciate

I will never forget the day that we visited the city dump.

Brave New Travelers: New beginnings

I wish that I was able to fully let loose, be myself, and sincerely enjoy my experience during my time with them.

Brave New Travelers: One of a kind learning experience

Going on this trip to Nicaragua has really made me appreciate the things that I have at home.

Brave New Travelers: Be bigger than the ignorance

Over the three weeks, I learned to step out of my comfort zone.

Brave New Travelers: We are all humans

Only until I visited Nicaragua did my perception change, permanently.

Brave New Travelers: It was I who had changed

Little did I know how much this six-week trip would change me.

Brave New Travelers: Seeing the world differently

All you have to do is make a plan and go forward and you’ll make it.

Brave New Travelers: My first time away from home

Since coming home I found myself being more conscious of the little things.

Brave New Travelers: Leave your assumptions at the airport

It is true that a lot of people live in poverty, but what is shocking is that they enjoy life and are happy with what they have.

Brave New Travelers: Stepping outside of my comfort zone

I always wanted to give back to my community for everything it has helped me with, but I didn’t really know how.

Save Bookmark

We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners.

For more information read our privacy policy.