Kassandra Braun, a 20-year-old college student, reportedly died on Tuesday after suffering severe injuries from a fall she took while visiting Myanmar during her study abroad trip.
Braun, a junior at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, (and a native of Fishers, Indiana) was partaking in the college study abroad program called Semester at Sea, a program that gives students the chance to travel around the world for a semester, receiving college credits while taking classes aboard a ship and experiencing new places and cultures. She was visiting the ancient religious city of Bagan on independent travel.
The Semester at Sea program released a statement on November 7 addressing Braun’s death: “We are deeply saddened to share the new of the loss of a member of our shipboard community,” the statement reads. “This afternoon (November 7, 2017) at approximately 1600 local time in Myanmar, Kassandra (Kassie) Braun, a student from St. Edward’s University, fell while on independent travel in Bagan. She was severely injured and passed away in the ambulance on the way to Mandalay General Hospital.”
Braun’s family also released a statement via the Semester at Sea program: “The family is absolutely devastated by the tragic death of their daughter and sister, Kassandra “Kassie” Braun. They are still waiting for further details about what happened but would like everyone to know that Kassie was having the time of her life on Semester at Sea and was living her dream. “
“She was so full of life and love, gave so much to so many,” her parents, Chalene and Dave Braun wrote. “She lived life the Holy Cross way hoping to someday give back as was given to her. Kassie’s family greatly appreciates the outpouring of love and support they have received and requests privacy as they mourn their loss and make arrangements for Kassie’s repatriation.”
St. Edward’s University published a statement via its campus ministry Facebook page detailing Braun’s involvement in the St. Edward’s community and offering prayers for Braun’s family. “Kassie and her family, especially her brother Kavan, a St. Edward’s freshmen, will be remembered in prayer at a memorial Mass in Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel on Wednesday, November 8 at 5:15 pm. Members of the St. Edward’s community are welcome to attend and to join together to pray and support one another.”