The Honors Program and Graduate School recently announced the selection of the 2017 Bonderman Fellows. Of the 18 selected students, three of the undergraduates have worked with us in First Year Programs!

The Bonderman Fellowship fosters individual transformation via wandering and wondering for eight months of solo travel to two regions of the world, expanding fellows’ understanding of themselves and the complex world we live in. While traveling, students may not pursue academic study, projects, or research. Established in 1995, this fellowship aims to expose students to the intrinsic, often life-changing, benefits of international travel.

This year’s undergraduate fellows include Havana McElvaine, Saige Hawthorne and Tressa Thomas. Havana has led two FIGs, one in 2015 and 2016. She plans to travel to Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Chile, Brazil, Liberia, Nigeria, India and Sri Lanka. Saige and Tressa both worked a summer as Orientation Leaders in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Saige will be traveling through Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Peru, Argentina, Ghana, Egypt, and Jordan. Tressa will be venturing to Argentina, Ecuador, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, The Philippines, and Tahiti.

Thanks to the new fellows for their commitment to our office! We wish you the best on your travels and hope you have an amazing experience!