I am an older, disabled trans guy who went back to college full time in 2016 and earned my Associate and Bachelor degrees in 2018 and 2021 respectively. I knew I wanted to keep going all the way to my PhD if I could, and I also desperately wanted to return to Ireland, the focus of my study for 1.5 years of my undergrad. I've long been fascinated by folklore, anthropology, history, and archaeology. As a fiber artist for the past 25 years I've researched the roots of textile production and its significance in human history and culture.

During the course of Ireland in History and Memory, a full-time year-long academic program at The Evergreen State College, I was awarded the Benjamin A.Gilman International Scholarship for studying abroad. Unfortunately my cohort's Ireland trip was cancelled due to the pandemic shutdowns. I was determined to go anyway, and in 2022 after graduation I went to Ireland by myself to continue my research into Irish textiles, holy wells and megalithic monuments. I visited many ancient sites during my month-long trip and I learned a lot from native people who are very passionate about the ancient history of their homeland. An Irish textiles expert I met there told me about a graduate program at University College Dublin. I couldn't stop thinking about that program and began learning all I could about the subject matter.

This year I applied and was accepted into that program: the Master of Science in Experimental Archaeology and Material Culture at University College Dublin. My special focus will be on prehistoric material culture including Iron to Bronze-Age megalithic monuments, textiles and textile technology, and gender archaeology. I'm in contact with a researcher I want to work with for my Masters thesis, and thanks to the experimental weaving classroom I'll have many opportunities to continue my research into ancient ways of textile production. I plan to continue to my PhD. at UCD or another Irish university.

Experimental Archaeology is a newer branch of traditional archaeology. It involves research and excavation just as traditional archaeology does, and also includes scientific experimentation to recreate and use archaeological artifacts using the technology used to originally make them. This helps us make educated guesses about how the objects were made and used in context of the era. UCD is one of the few schools in the world that offers such a graduate degree program, and the only one with its own Centre for Experimental Archaeology. UCD is in the top 1% of universities worldwide, with only a 20% acceptance rate for students, and the Ex Arch program is very small, with a cohort of about 15 students per year. The overarching School of Archaeology is widely regarded as one of the best in the world, with faculty who are the foremost experts in their specialties. Being accepted here is an enormous honor and the biggest opportunity of my life. I expect it will launch my teaching career.

I am selling nearly everything I own and moving to Ireland for the foreseeable future, with the goal of completing my Masters and PhD. On-campus housing was already full and I have a cat, so my only option was to hire a relocation service to find me an apartment. I am thrilled to share that I'll be moving right into a furnished flat when I arrive.

I have a few thousand dollars saved from the sale of my things, but only enough to live on for a month or so after all of the expenses of moving myself and my cat, Juniper Rainbow. I won't be permitted to work for my first 90 days in Ireland, and after that I can still only work part-time; I also cannot be self-employed. I attempted to sell my business but my most serious buyer had to back out due to medical issues. The sale of my car and my last possessions right before I leave will also not be enough to get me by. I must have at least 10,000 Euros or $11,437 USD in savings just to be admitted into the country as a student.

My tuition is being paid for by a US DoE federal loan, and I was awarded a partial scholarship from UCD. There are no other graduate international scholarships or grants available. As a disabled single person with chronic pain who had to declare bankruptcy last year due to medical-related debt, I don't have financial options left. Time is running out for me as I'm leaving on August 25. Classes begin Sept 1.

I am asking for your help with funding my move and the secondary expenses of my education: books, field trips, food, rent, electric, broadband, transportation, a sorely needed new laptop,

Your contribution supports not only my education, but my personal safety at a time when trans people's lives are at serious risk in the US. Whether you can spare $5, $50, or $500 anything you can send my way genuinely helps.

Since my application for a federal PLUS loan was denied, I am also looking for angel donors/loaners who are willing and able to fund a long-term loan or scholarship of $10-35k. This will fund my first year of living expenses so I can focus on my studies, applying for a PhD, making academic/professional contacts to set up my new career as an archaeologist, and finding a new health care team to help manage my chronic health issues. I currently have two potential pledges from private donors who are willing to team together with two others to fund me. Please reach out to me privately if you'd like to discuss the angel option.

You can donate here and I'll receive all but 3% for processing fees, or Venmo me @rowan-morgan-green or Paypal @rowanica. I also gratefully accept cash or checks.

Thanks everyone, and feel free to share this widely. I appreciate you all so much.