MEET THE CREATOR

Hey y’all hey! I’m Tia Cooper, your go-to Travaunt, that’s French for Travel Auntie. I’m also an international education, and the mastermind behind not one, but two travel-tastic ventures. 🌍✈️

I’ve got a passion for teaching I always have. Whether it be teaching dances on the cheerleading team, to educating others on how to start travel businesses, I love education. From my home base in the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi, UAE, I’m shaping young minds and spreading knowledge like confetti. 📚🌟

But wait, there’s more! In my spare time (if you can call it that), I’m the brains behind “Tia Takes the World” the blog and social media accounts. This is where I spill the tea on my expat life in Abu Dhabi and share hilarious travel anecdotes. I’m all about bringing you the real, unfiltered deal. No sugar-coating here, just the good, the bad, and the hilarious of life abroad.

I also own the travel agency “Take The World Travel.” As a travel agent, I’m not just booking trips; I’m creating unforgettable experiences. 

Follow my journey because I’m all about celebrating culture, adventure, and, of course, having a good time. 

So, if you’re ready to explore the world, laugh along with my adventures, and snag some killer travel deals, join the tribe. We’re not just exploring the world; we’re taking it by storm, one adventure at a time. 

 

ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY

Imagine this: When I was growing up, it was a rare sight to see people who looked like me jetting off to explore exotic destinations. Travel often felt like an exclusive club, something only the wealthy and famous could enjoy. But guess what? At the tender age of 23, this small-town girl from Gastonia, North Carolina defied those stereotypes. I broke the mold, packed my bags, and ended up living, teaching, and exploring my way through Germany and beyond.

Travel opened my eyes to the beauty of the world and the depths of my own soul. It was a life-altering experience, and I felt compelled to share it with others who harbored that burning wanderlust within.

So, every year on my birthday, October 20th (Shoutout to the Libra’s) I set out to make the last year feel like an accomplishment and the new year a fresh start filled with change. And what better way to do that than by helping someone who, like me, may have felt underrepresented in the world of travel, to get their passport and embark on their own global adventures?

I started cycle 1 of this project, initially giving away three passports to some very deserving applicants. But then, the Black Travel Alliance got wind of my mission and boom! We teamed up, and I handed out SIX passports in cycle 2. What a blessing! Can you believe it? 

I named this initiative the Miller Morris Project to honor my grandparents, who worked tirelessly to provide for our family. They gave their all, but they never had the chance to see the world beyond the East Coast. This project is dedicated to their memory and aims to build on the legacy they left behind. Through the winners of this project, we are quite literally our ancestors’ wildest dreams.

Now, you might be wondering: “What’s the deal with the passport?” Well, to obtain one, you need to cover two fees, a $130 application fee and a $35 execution fee. So, my goal is simple: to gift as many scholarships of $165 as I can every year.

This scholarship isn’t just about travel; it’s about empowerment, breaking barriers, and creating opportunities for those who may not have had them before. It’s about making the world a more accessible and inclusive place, one passport at a time.

But I can’t do it alone. I need your support to make this dream a reality. Your support, sharing of this project and contributions can change lives and help us send more aspiring international travelers on their own journeys of self-discovery and exploration.

5/5
The application process was easy and Tia is so nice. When I shared my first international trip, she was excited to hear all the details. Since receiving my passport this year, I have already been on two international trips. I am so grateful for this opportunity.