The 2004 Report of the Davis UWC

To Move the World The First Report of the Davis United World College Scholars Program 2004 “Reaching out across borders, learning about the world, and working with others to Davis United World College Scholars make it a better place are the cornerstones PROGRAM of education in the truest sense. I commend and congratulate the Davis United World College Scholars program for its invaluable contribution to that goal. Enabling all UWC graduates who qualify to attend five of the top U.S. universities, regardless of nationality or financial need, not only helps them beyond measure, it enriches the lives of the other students they meet. The mutual respect they gain will serve them well as tomorrow’s leaders. I can think of no more precious gift.”

3 Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan President of the United World Colleges 2004 Report Private Philanthropy Supporting International Understanding Through Education

1 2004 Davis United World College Scholars Building International Understanding through Education 5 Introducing the Davis United World College Scholars Program

How This Works 7

College Presidents Speak Out 10 “Striking and Dramatic” … “A Complete Renaissance” 13 “Education Is the Answer” 13 Davis UWC Scholars “Spark” the Creation of a New Afghan School

“I Can Leave My Imprint” 16 Contents A Child of Conflict, Ana Prokic Reaches Beyond Boundaries

People Can Make a Difference 19 A Conversation with Shelby Davis

Growing Toward Leadership 22 Mariana Mejia Connects Science, Activism & Compassion

19 The Power of a Learning Experience 25 With a Deepened Perspective, Ashirul Amin Aims to Make Change

Emma’s Journey 28 An Engaged New Zealander Has Worked in Places Few Ever Know

Going About the World 31 At Middlebury, Helene Songe Has Modeled Global Openness

Fulfilling a Father’s Dream 34 Mukhtar Amin Is Making the Most of His Chance

Culture and Communication 36 31 A Scholar from India Puts the Arts to Work for Change

The Class of 2004 38

The Undergraduate Classes 50

A Joyful Noise 58 Mchakamchaka Builds a Unique New Campus Tradition

2 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 2 3 2004 2004 Davis Davis United United World World College College Scholars Scholars 3

36 Building International Understanding through Education Introducing the Davis United World College Scholars Program

by Philip O. Geier, Ph.D. Executive Director Davis United World College Scholars Program

Philip O. Geier his publication unveils the Davis United World College What is the Davis United World College Scholars program? Scholars program as a major new philanthropic force in It is, above all, the vision and power of private philanthropy T promoting international understanding, by sponsoring committed to the importance of fostering greater understanding the education of students from around the world — all of them among the world’s future decision-makers — Americans and committed to building cross-cultural understanding — at leading citizens of other nations. American colleges and universities. The state of our world, along The program provides scholarships to students, from both with America’s future competitiveness in the global marketplace, the U.S. and other countries, who have proven themselves by demands no less than initiatives as large in scale, innovative in completing their last two years of high school at a group of design, and powerful in impact as this. international schools called United World Colleges (UWCs). Davis United World College Scholars now number 312 These UWC schools are in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong, at five pilot schools: Colby College, College of the Atlantic, India, Italy, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, the United Kingdom, Middlebury College, Princeton University, and Wellesley and Venezuela. Since the founding of the first UWC in 1962, College. Plans are underway to grow the number of scholars at the height of the Cold War, these schools have provided into the thousands in the years ahead, at up to 50 American opportunities to students from some 175 countries, representing colleges and universities. all regions of the world. Students are selected in their home These Davis United World College Scholars are outstanding countries by indigenous, voluntary committees, and receive students, remarkable young people from 85 nations who have scholarships to attend the United World College schools. had far-reaching impacts on their colleges and their fellow Four years ago, Colby, College of the Atlantic, Middlebury, students. The first class of Davis UWC Scholars graduates this Princeton, and Wellesley were selected by philanthropist spring from the five pilot schools. They represent the heart and Shelby M.C. Davis as the inaugural institutions for the Davis soul of this initiative. In these pages, we invite you to become United World College Scholars program. Davis offered to acquainted with the Davis UWC Scholars program, and with meet the financial need of every UWC graduate accepted and its individual scholars — especially the 43 members of the matriculated at these pilot schools, regardless of national origin graduating classes of 2004. or UWC attended.

4 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 4 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 5 The goals of this Davis philanthropy continue to be to: As modeled by the Davis United World College Scholars program, these approaches include: • provide scholarships to exemplary and promising students from all cultures, who have each absorbed the passion of • private philanthropy as an innovative force. We hope their UWC school community for building international this effort will inspire others in the philanthropic sector to understanding in the 21st century. participate. • build clusters of these globally aware and committed students, • experiential learning as the essential tool for fostering within the undergraduate populations of selected American international understanding. schools. • diversifying the undergraduate population through • seek to transform the American undergraduate experience international scholarships. through this international diversity and cultural interchange • recognizing that coherent initiatives and significant clusters — as much for the large majority of Americans on campus as of scholars can make greater impact. How This Works for international students. • encouraging an overarching purpose, while leaving each • invite participating colleges and universities to leverage college or university to build on its own particular strengths. Building World Understanding and Educating New Leaders the value of this initiative to the long-term benefit of their students and faculties, their strategic planning, and their role in In sum, the Davis United World College Scholars program contributing proactively to the well-being of our volatile, highly has great aspirations. Though only now in its infancy, the interdependent world. program envisions a growing commitment to international ➊ ➋ ➌ ➍ • create a very diverse group of Davis United World College understanding through education in the 21st century. In time, Since 1962, thousands Since 2000-2001, 312 UWC This spring, the first With their education Scholars who will, during their educational experiences and Davis United World College Scholars will take their place beside of young people from school graduates from class of Davis UWC made possible through throughout their lives, contribute significantly toshaping a the alumni of such esteemed scholarship programs as Fulbright 175 nations have been 84 nations who gained Scholars graduates. their own merits and the better world. and Rhodes. We embrace fully the goal of the late Senator J. selected by committees admission to one of five Over the next five years, help of the Davis United William Fulbright for the public-sector scholarship program in their home countries pilot colleges — Colby the Davis United World World College Scholars The Davis United World College Scholars program that bears his name: to “bring a little more knowledge, a little to complete the last two College, College of the College Scholars program program, thousands is different, intentionally so, from other fine efforts to more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs, and years of high school on Atlantic, Middlebury will expand to involve of future graduates internationalize the undergraduate experience. While preceding thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to scholarship at one of ten College, Princeton up to 50 selected of these institutions will initiatives have focused more on research, faculty development, live in peace and friendship.” United World College University, and Wellesley U.S. colleges and go on to play important, changes in curricula, uses of technology, and study abroad, The great potential of the Davis United World College schools. UWC schools College — have received universities. meaningful, often this program creates a much greater diversity of students on Scholars program is not simply to build and perpetuate itself; are in the U.S., Canada, financial support, up leadership roles in their campus. And by sponsoring scholars from many countries who it is to motivate others, especially in the private sector, to Hong Kong, India, Italy, to a full scholarship, communities, in their arrive on campus energized by the UWC mission of building strengthen international understanding through their personal Norway, Singapore, from the new Davis home countries, and in understanding in active, personal ways, the Davis United philanthropy. Our future depends on a world of talented Swaziland,the United United World College the world. World College Scholars program exemplifies how diversity can individuals from diverse cultures who join in commitment to Kingdom, and Venezuela. Scholars program. contribute to a much richer education, and to a more globally international understanding. The UWC movement Funded by private engaged undergraduate experience. Davis United World College Scholars will, we believe, works to build multi- philanthropy, the program Outcome studies of the earlier initiatives found “low contribute to the realization of this important goal. We hope national, cross-cultural builds on each campus levels of international competency, a decline in the number you will, too. understanding among all a strong, active cadre of international student requirements, few students studying UWC students. of UWC graduates who foreign languages as a percentage of total enrollments, and less help to internationalize funding from federal and state sources.” (The Ford Foundation, the student body, and Preliminary Status Report 2000: Internationalization of U.S. who positively influence Higher Education.) These findings encouraged the Davis fellow students, faculty, philanthropy to model a fresh synthesis of approaches — some campus life, and college new, some well-proven — to internationalizing the American development. college experience.

6 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 6 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 7 An Open-Ended Commitment Home countries of current Davis UWC Scholars: Provided by Shelby M.C. Davis, financial support for the Davis Albania Italy Russia United World College Locations United World College Scholars program is an open-ended Argentina Jamaica Rwanda commitment involving tens of millions of dollars per year. All Australia Japan Senegal graduates of UWC schools who gain admission on their own Austria Jordan Serbia and merits to any of the U.S. colleges involved in the program Bangladesh Kazakhstan Montenegro receive financial support from the program, which enables them Belarus Kenya Sierra Leone to complete college. The level of support is based on accepted Belgium Red Cross measures of family need and ability to pay. Kosovo Singapore Nordic UWC Bhutan Latvia Slovakia (1995) Expanding the Program Bulgaria Lithuania Spain The Davis United World College Scholars program is expanding Canada Macedonia Sri Lanka beyond the original five colleges featured in this first report. China Malaysia South Africa Lester B. UWC of Pearson UWC the Atlantic The following U.S. institutions have been offered grants to host Colombia Malta Sudan of the Pacific (1962) Davis UWC Scholars: Costa Rica Mexico Swaziland (1974) UWC of the Adriatic Amherst College Lake Forest College Czech Republic Mongolia Sweden (1982) Simón Bolívar UWC Li Po Chun UWC of Barnard College Lewis & Clark College Denmark Morocco Syria of Agriculture Hong Kong (1993) UWC– USA (1988) Bates College Macalester College Egypt Mozambique Tanzania (1982) Mahindra UWC of Bowdoin College Methodist College Estonia Nepal Tibet India (1997) Brown University Middlebury College Ethiopia New Zealand Turkey UWC of Bryn Mawr College Mount Holyoke College Fiji Nicaragua Uganda Southeast Asia (1971) Carleton College Oberlin College Germany Niger United Kingdom Chicago Art Institute Princeton University Ghana Nigeria United States Greece Norway Ukraine Waterford KaMhlaba Claremont McKenna College St. Lawrence University UWC of Southern Africa Colby College San Francisco Art Institute Guatemala Pakistan Uruguay (1981) Colgate University Skidmore College Hong Kong Paraguay Vietnam College of the Atlantic Smith College Hungary Peru Yugoslavia Colorado College Swarthmore College Iceland Philippines Zambia Connecticut College Trinity College (CT) India Poland Zimbabwe Cornell University Vassar College Iran Portugal Dartmouth College University of Redlands Israel Romania Dickinson College University of Richmond Ten UWC schools: Five U.S. colleges: Earlham College University of Virginia UWC of the Atlantic (Wales) Colby College (Waterville, ME) Franklin & Marshall College Washington & Lee University UWC of Southeast Asia (Singapore) College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, ME) Grinnell College Wellesley College Lester B. Pearson UWC of the Pacific (Canada) Middlebury College (Middlebury, VT) Hamilton College Wesleyan University Waterford KaMhlaba UWC of Southern Africa (Swaziland) Princeton University (Princeton, NJ) Harvard University Westminster College UWC of the Adriatic (Italy) Wellesley College (Wellesley, MA) Haverford College Whitman College UWC-USA (Montezuma, NM, USA) Hood College Williams College Simón Bolívar UWC of Agriculture (Venezuela) Johns Hopkins University Yale University Li Po Chun UWC of Hong Kong Lafayette University Red Cross Nordic UWC (Norway) Mahindra UWC of India

8 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 8 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 9 who really are amazing young people.” “Leadership Comes Easily” President Adams of Colby agrees. “We saw this as a huge “Leadership seems to come easily to them,” says Middlebury opportunity,” he says. “And taking full advantage of this diversity President McCardell of the Davis UWC Scholars. “I think is something to which we’re still on the way. because of the experiences they’ve already had in their lives, “The challenge is really taking they are quite confident when they advantage of all these differences come here, and they make the most among people: getting people to “Having these Davis of this opportunity.” College Presidents Speak Out reach across those boundaries of “They do! And they’re so difference,” he explains. “That’s not UWC Scholars on campus passionate about that,” agrees “Striking and Dramatic” … “A Complete Renaissance” simple, but it’s clearly what Shelby President Walsh at Wellesley. Davis had in mind. The UWC model is an enormously powerful “They understand that they have an is premised, I think, on a recognition opportunity that so many people will of that challenge — and on an way to increase the never have. They know that, because optimism that you can overcome of this opportunity, there is something these differences. You can transcend likelihood that an American they are being called to do.” them in positive ways.” “These are people who we t all five institutions of higher education that the presidents say these young people consistently stand out, At College of the Atlantic, a student, who may not expect to become the leaders of are so far involved with the Davis United World even among international students, because of the cross-cultural, small school where today one in have traveled widely before their countries, as well as leaders A College Scholars program — Colby College, College boundary-breaking experiences they’ve had in the United every six students is a Davis UWC of international agencies, such as of the Atlantic, Middlebury College, Princeton University, World College program. Scholar, it took a couple of years coming to Princeton, will the UN,” says President Katona of and Wellesley College — the presidents say the Davis UWC “They’re so excited about their UWC story, and the values before these students had thoroughly the College of the Atlantic. “We Scholars have had a profound, even transformative, effect on that it represents,” says President Diana Chapman Walsh of blended in with the rest of the student have a mind-expanding presume that, and they certainly their campus communities. Wellesley College. “They are passionate missionaries for world body. “Now everybody is together,” deserve it. Many of these Davis “Oh, indisputably,” says President John McCardell, Jr., of citizenship, and they bring that commitment to us.” says President Katona, describing experience here.” Scholars are the first in their family Middlebury. “If you stop any 10 people on our campus and “The list of UWC Davis Scholars includes students from his campus community as “deeply ever to attend college — and ask about this, I would bet money you will get an answer very the U.S. and from Canada,” notes President Shirley Tilghman integrated.” 3 many would never have obtained much the same as this. All of us have come into contact with of Princeton. “So it is not simply that each of these students “I want our students to be higher education without the these students, and their impacts are everywhere — in our has come from a very different place. It’s that they have gone cosmopolitan,” says President Tilghman Shirley Tilghman UWC system and the opportunity classrooms, in the dining halls, in the dormitories, in the student someplace [to a United World College] — and they’ve each had at Princeton. “By that I mean open President, Princeton University provided by Shelby and Gale.” organizations.” a remarkable experience there.” to the fact that there are many world As they graduate, the Davis “It’s been a complete renaissance,” agrees President Steven views, many ways to think about a UWC Scholars are departing Katona of the College of the Atlantic. The Opportunity — and the Challenge problem, and ways in which people colleges — and fellow students — “The most striking and dramatic effect has been the way Like most of the institutions involved with the program, with the best of intentions reach different conclusions. The goal of that are permanently broadened and changed. in which the Davis UWC Scholars have changed the classroom Wellesley had already done much to diversify its student an educated person is to be able to understand how people come to “This kind of diversity has effects on individual students that dynamics,” observes President Bro Adams of Colby. “These population. Even so, finding financial aid for international different conclusions, and then reach their own conclusions about will have consequences down the road, on the lives they lead students are very ambitious, intellectually, so they typically students was a challenge. where they stand.” and the aspirations they find within themselves,” says President perform at a high level. They also bring new perspectives, “We’d been unable to admit large numbers of extraordinary With that aim of education in mind, she says, “having these Adams of Colby. “Wherever they end up, these students will be in terms of understanding and experience, to the academic young women from other countries, whose stories were just Davis UWC scholars on campus is an enormously powerful way different. Our American students will be different, too. program and to discussions and encounters within it.” so inspiring,” President Walsh recalls. “Then the Davis Program to increase the likelihood that an American student, who may “We can’t solve the world’s problems — but we can make a Much of that impact comes from the Davis UWC Scholars’ came along and gave us this remarkable opportunity to very not have traveled widely before coming to Princeton, will have contribution,” he concludes. “In the meantime, these kids are getting backgrounds in a global diversity of countries and cultures. But quickly create this whole new cohort of international students, a mind-expanding experience here.” a great education. And they’re having a terrific impact on us.”

10 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 10 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 11 “Education Is the Answer” Davis UWC Scholars “Spark” the Creation of a New Afghan School

Karim Raheem Thomas Canada Pearson UWC of the Pacific, Canada Princeton University

ne day in Afghanistan in summer 2002, U.S. Ambassador Fast-forward just 14 months. On September 26, 2003, Robert Finn introduced Yunus Qanooni, education President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan has come to Princeton to Karim Raheem Thomas O minister in the post-Taliban government, to a Princeton give a talk welcoming the successful, year-long effort by SPARKS University student named Karim Thomas. (Students Providing Aid, Relief, and Kind Services) to create a new “I told him this was a young man who has really good ideas school in his country. Soon to open in Kabul, the school will be — and who maybe can really deliver,” the ambassador recalls. named Omid-e-Afghanistan, or “The Hope of Afghanistan.” Karim, a Davis UWC Scholar from Canada, was doing “The Omid-e-Afghanistan project has my full support, the volunteer work that summer in Kabul. His idea was that a support of my government, and the support of the Afghan people, new, non-profit, K-12 school with high-quality standards and particularly the young people in Afghanistan who will benefit so curriculum could be created in the Afghan capital; that it could give much from this,” declares President Karzai. scholarships to both boys and girls, who would be admitted entirely It was the student group SPARKS, led by Davis UWC on merit; and that a student service club organized by Karim and Scholars, that brought Karzai to campus. Princeton President his sister Rishma, also a Davis UWC Scholar, could play a key role Shirley Tilghman said later that when she learned the visit would in turning this idea into reality. occur, “I was simply thunderstruck. I think I told Karim that I will Ambassador Finn, who had been a Princeton professor of no longer be skeptical of anything a SPARKS person suggests.” Near Eastern studies, saw the need a school like this could help fill. Last November 1, Omid-e-Afghanistan, also known as Afghanistan’s education system had been wrecked by the Taliban. SPARKS Academy Kabul, did open its doors, in a converted And during the years that millions of Afghans had lived in Pakistan Kabul home, to 48 kindergartners. The school added a first grade as refugees, the only education open to their children was in in March, with plans to expand by one grade each year until the madrasah, the often-extremist religious schools that were the the academy has a K-12 student body of 1,500. The Afghan breeding ground for the Taliban, whose name means “student.” government has granted 500 acres in Kabul for the school’s future In the struggle with Islamic extremism, “education is the home. answer,” Finn says today. “The message of al Qaida and the Taliban Organizers of the school — who include more than 20 is a perversion of Islam — and they take advantage of the fact that SPARKS members at Princeton, from 12 different countries — people are ill-educated to misrepresent Islam to them.” have gathered donations from a wide range of contributors. They

12 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 12 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 13 hope the school will become a Back at Princeton, Karim training center for Afghan teachers. developed the idea for a new, high- “If we can train teachers, Whenever he asked quality school. After the post-9/11 then return those teachers to their U.S. action opened the way for a schools throughout the country, Afghans what would new Afghan government, he saw the school can have a much greater the chance to try. In Kabul for impact,” says Karim Thomas. help them the most, “The his sophomore summer to work with humanitarian organizations, “I Saw Poverty, immediate answer was he approached Ambassador Finn. but also Hope” The ambassador liked the idea; the In a sense, the story of the SPARKS education,” says Davis Afghan education minister also gave Academy began several years ago at his support. Pearson United World College in UWC Scholar Karim Canada, where Karim grew close “Find the One Who to the family of a fellow student Thomas. “Everyone will Believes in You” from Afghanistan. Karim and tell you that.” Next came a year of hard work. Rishma Thomas’s own parents are Princeton SPARKS members gave eye doctors who often volunteer input into the school’s curriculum, abroad, and in summer 2000 the 3 researched fundraising prospects, and whole family went to Pakistan to spread the word among other young work with Afghan refugees. people. “I saw tremendous poverty, but “This was an incredibly ambitious also a lot of hope,” Karim recalls. “The people had absolutely project, and we had a lot of obstacles along the way,” Karim recalls. The nothing — but the kids were so energetic and bright, and they organizers, who included the Thomas family, learned that even if 15 learned so quickly.” people told them they couldn’t do something, persistence would reach Whenever he asked Afghans what would help them the the key person who believed they could. most, Karim said, “The immediate answer was education. “For each piece, you’ve just got to find that one person Everyone will tell you that.” who believes in you,” Karim says. He returned to Pakistan to volunteer again during The school is now open, and “the kids come from a wide Princeton vacations. “You would see these kids who had so range of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds,” says Rishma much potential — kids who would be at Princeton, if they had Thomas, Princeton ’05. The admissions process reserves places the right access to books, and these kids were going to end up for orphans and children of widows. Otherwise, selections are on the street selling handkerchiefs.” based entirely on merit. “This is the first school that’s designed to serve the population as a whole,” not just children of the elite, says Opposite: Kindergartners from the first class of students to attend Omid-e- Ambassador Finn. “I think that’s very, very important.” Afghanistan (Hope of Afghanistan), the new scholarship school in Kabul.

14 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 14 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 15 person — and she’s a very hard “I guess that was when I kind of worker.” set myself straight. Okay, I’m Eastern At Colby, Ana has been a student “I don’t want another little Orthodox, I’m Serbian, and I always athletic trainer, then supervisor of will be, no matter what.” While she’s student trainers. She has been a girl to have to wait for her been away, her home country has research assistant and a bartender at the splintered, from the Yugoslavia of her college pub. She has volunteered with dad to come home,” says childhood to a smaller federation, and Colby Emergency Rescue, served now to simply Serbia — but Ana has on the college Judicial Board, and Ana Prokic. “You know? held tight to her sense of self and her volunteered at a rape crisis center and War is not something devotion to family. Her first goal after at the Home Family Violence Project graduation is to find work that will in Augusta, Maine’s capital. that’s natural.” enable her to put Vanja, her younger “She’s involved in everything,” sister, through college. notes ElizaBeta Gorgoska ‘04, a 3 Ana’s other passion is peace. After Davis UWC Scholar from Skopje, all she’s been through — not just the Macedonia. “If you ask her to work 24 bombing campaign, but the strains of hours, she’ll work 27. the serial Balkan conflicts of the 1990s “I’ve never seen someone who — Ana wants to find a way to help “I Can Leave My Imprint” cares more about others,” she adds. “I think other people come first make armed conflict unnecessary. for her.” “I know I can’t change the world, but I can leave my A Child of Conflict, Ana Prokic Reaches Beyond Boundaries imprint. I just think war is wrong, having lived through almost Ana Prokic Discovering Who She Is three. So that’s something I want to dedicate myself to. And Serbia “I think she’s done really well as an international student here I want to be able to keep working with different people, of UWC-USA Colby College because she’s very open,” says Kate Heidemann ‘04, a close friend different backgrounds and religions.” from Connecticut. “She doesn’t get cliquish; she’s not afraid to go When Ana was nine, her dad was drafted to serve in the na Prokic of Belgrade, Serbia, was studying at UWC- expert at telling antiaircraft fire from incoming missiles. out and meet American students. She knows so many people on conflict in Croatia. She remembers the day he came home. She USA in New Mexico in 1999, when her host country “My family is that way. We try to make the best of it,” Ana campus, because she does so much stuff — and she’s so friendly and remembers the moment; she remembers him. A began a bombing campaign against her home country. says. “Hopefully it will turn around for the better.” outgoing.” “I remember every single thing about him: the way he As summer vacation approached, fellow students and teachers At Colby College in Maine, this energetic Davis UWC Ana says these six years, first at UWC and then at Colby, have smelled that second, the way he looked, the way his face looked. urged her to stay on campus. To stay safe. Scholar has pretty much treated the whole campus community also been a time of discovering who she really is. He came home — and that’s why my life is the way it is. She didn’t even consider it. as if it were also her family. “In New Mexico, that was the time when we started searching “I don’t want another little girl to have to wait for her dad to Ana flew home and spent that summer with her family in “Ana is amazing! She has just been a bulldozer,” marvels for identity,” she says. “You’re surrounded by 75 different cultures, and come home. You know? War is not something that’s natural. It is Belgrade. Through weeks without power, watching the night sky Susan McDougal, associate dean of students. “Every opportunity, I don’t even know how many different religions — so you feel you caused by people, and I think it can be stopped by people, too.” above the city, she and her beloved younger sister, Vanja, grew everything she can do, she has done. She’s an absolutely positive have to identify yourself. Where do I belong in this group? Ana’s birthday, by the way, is September 12.

16 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 16 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 17 People Can Make a Difference A Conversation with Shelby Davis

After a highly successful Wall Street investment career, Shelby Davis created vibrant, so motivated. They were far from home, in almost every and funded the Davis United World College Scholars program. Here he case — yet they were not going to lose this opportunity. Shelby and Gale Davis talks about how the program began, some lessons he has shared with — So I started saying to myself that if some of them want to go and learned from — the Davis UWC Scholars, and his hopes for their on to universities in the United States, and they’re good enough to long-term impacts on their campuses, their countries, and the world. get in — and I have nothing to do with that — then I’m interested in funding them. Because they’ve proved a lot to me. So I started to How did the Davis UWC Scholars program begin? fund all students who graduated from the UWC school system and I went to visit the United World College in Montezuma, New were accepted at five American colleges and universities where our Mexico. I’d never been there before, and I was early — so I family had some connection. wandered around campus, unescorted, and saw some lights on in We’re broadening that now to perhaps 50 American universities a building that turned out to be an indoor swimming pool. that will each, we hope, build up a cadre of students from the There were two boys sitting at the pool edge, talking. I United World Colleges. I think we’re going to be funding close to a walked in and said, “I’m new on campus. Could you tell me, are thousand Davis UWC Scholars a year! It’s been growing rapidly. you students here?” They said “Yes, we are.” One boy jumped up and said, “I’m from Israel.” The other boy jumped up and said, “I’m from Palestine. And we’re roommates here.” The first boy Get Us More of These Students! said, “And we are friends — and this could never happen in our What impact do you hope these scholars country.” will have on their campuses? That bridge of understanding hit me hard. I thought, Well, I know they’re making a difference, because the presidents This is amazing! This is what the future needs. So I funded all and the faculty are saying: “Get us more of these students!” They’re the Americans who go to the United World Colleges. Then I positively influencing the American students whom they meet. They started visiting the various UWC campuses around the world are in the classroom, leading discussions; they are forming clubs, — they’re on five continents in 10 countries. I met more of organizations, different ways to spread energy. They’re in the theaters, the international students who make up the vast majority of international clubs; they’re involved in so many things. It’s just the student population. They were such achievers; they were so remarkable to read their letters. Many are accomplished musicians,

18 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 18 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 19 homes. And just an hour of meeting do you hope will be the long- people in their homes can be worth term impacts of these young more than all the monuments, all the people on their countries and on “I see that these students the world? churches, all the museums that we also Well, you can be an optimist or a went and saw. It made an impression on have adopted the United pessimist. You can say there are six me — because people make a difference. billion people in the world, and That’s what I’m betting on, with World Colleges’ mission, what difference can a thousand this scholarship program: that people students a year — maybe 20,000 can make a difference, in leadership which is to change the over 20 years — really make? But positions, whether in countries or I choose to be an optimist. I think in companies — which is my field, world for the better by about leadership. investing in companies with good making a difference — Leaders do make a difference. leaders. Leadership is what it’s all about. In my investment career, if I bet I think these students have exhibited and they are doing that on on a good leader, he or she made good leadership traits at an early age, the company. In countries, great actors, writers, dancers. They aren’t satisfied unless they’re active in two, Americans who meet them; they are being influenced by Americans. and I’m betting those traits will carry these campuses.” leaders have arisen to turn the three, or four organizations outside the classroom. And that’s amazing. It’s a cross-fertilization of each other’s cultures and minds, and it’s forward. Many of them stay around the campus throughout the year, to get wonderful to see. fortunes of their nations around. So I am hopeful this will be like jobs to supplement their scholarships — so they are making an impact I see that these students have adopted the United World What lessons from your own life 3 on the whole community. Colleges’ mission, which is to change the world for the better by and career do you try to convey throwing a pebble in the pond: These are high-energy achievers, who know this is their ticket making a difference — and they are doing that on these campuses. to the Davis UWC Scholars? Shelby Davis these students will each have ripple to success and freedom. Many of them want to go back to their I often repeat a certain phrase: Learn, effects because of their energy, countries and make a difference. So they are soaking up all they can. Earn, and Return. The first third their education, their international “That’s What I’m Betting On” of your life should be to learn, the interests, and their desire to make You’ve come to know the You also want to make a difference, don’t you? Isn’t that next third should be to earn, and the last third of your life, if you’re the world better. So I am betting on a group — as many as I can Davis UWC Scholars pretty well, haven’t you? the essence of your motivation in this? fortunate, should be to return — to give back, to make the world support, and I wish it were more — who, as they spread around Yes. Gale and I have made a point of visiting the colleges, and Yes. I come from an international family, in the sense that my a better place. Obviously I’m in the return phase now, and I would the world, will in their own ways make a difference. They want having dinner with the scholars, pretty much every year for the parents, after they graduated respectively from Princeton and actually encourage people to get into the return phase earlier than I to do that, and this gives them a springboard, a running start, a last four years. I’ve come to know the seniors the best — and Wellesley, met in Europe on a trip to Russia. They went on did. Because you can make a difference all the way along in your life. knowledge base, and a perspective. they’re an amazing group. to get their Ph.D.s in international relations at the University Individuals can make a difference. You have to start of Geneva in the early 1930s, when the League of Nations, the somewhere! I decided to start with this group because they What have you learned from them? forerunner of the United Nations, was just getting started; so Geneva “I Choose to Be an Optimist” are international, multiracial, and multicultural, from every What I’ve learned from them is that they don’t stop! These are a then was very much an international town. They made friends from You could have gone in any direction with your philanthropy background — and they have intelligence and drive. They have — and this is the direction you chose. Why? And, lastly, what group of achievers who have managed to come from all over the all over the world. already achieved, to get to these American universities of high world, through the United World College system, into these colleges As a young man, I was fortunate enough to be taken by my standing. They are equipped now to make a difference as they and universities. They’re taking full advantage of this opportunity, parents on two trips around the world. My father and mother would Opposite: In The Grille at Middlebury College, Shelby Davis catches up with go forward in their careers. They are going to have an impact on both within and outside the classroom. They are influencing the write ahead to friends and acquaintances, so we got into people’s Davis UWC Scholars Helene Songe ’04 and Yohanne “Kido” Kidolezi ’05. the world.

20 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 20 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 21 Nicaraguan hurricane victims. she says. “And I want a family. My “She’s a young woman who is dream is five kids! I really love kids, extremely engaged in everything “I can still pursue activism, and I want my kids to grow up in a she does — from dancing the small community.” salsa to working on a project for and pursue public health,” “So many people in medicine Central American concerns, to her become specialists,” says Roshni academics,” observes Sylvia Hiestand, says Mariana Mejia — Sampath. “I think she sees small Wellesley’s director of international “but I want to have the towns to be very underserved studies and services. “She has a lot of populations that don’t get a interests, a wide scope of activities. tools to do something real commitment to long-term health She’s a premed, but her major is care. I think she sees that as a social- political science. So she’s engaged.” and practical, and to really justice choice.”

“She’s Been an Inspiration” be able to help people, one “The Essential Ingredient” When Mariana’s closest friends at “At first I thought that being a Wellesley talk about her, they speak on one.” leader meant that I had to do almost about heart, soul, and leadership. everything,” Mariana wrote in her “She’s been an inspiration to 3 medical school application. “Now I Growing Toward Leadership me,” says Jimena Leiva, a senior from understand that people will do the Guatemala. “She has a very clear things that they are interested in Mariana Mejia Connects Science, Activism & Compassion mind and direction, and she’s able to doing, particularly if they feel like prioritize. She inspires others to take on the same battles with her.” their work is valued. Mariana Mejia “I really feel like she’s focused,” adds fellow senior Roshni “Thus the essential ingredient in a successful project is Colombia/U.S.A. Sampath, who was born in India and went to high school in motivation and unity. If everyone involved is working toward the Pearson UWC, Canada Wellesley College Nebraska. “She really commits herself to what she decides to do. same goal and is passionate about that goal, then communication Then she puts her heart and soul into it.” and coordination is made much easier and the process itself is much “ want to be a village doctor — basically a family practitioner,” community and understanding led it to help create El Vuelo, a new “I tend to overdo it,” Mariana smiles. more fun.” says Mariana Mejia, who grew up in both Colombia and the Spanish-language student magazine. She has helped raise scholarship As a girl, Mariana moved to New Mexico with her parents, “She’s not a half-measures person, in any way,” says Roshni I U.S.A. “I can still pursue activism, and pursue public health, funds to send urban slum children to middle school in Guatemala who are staff members at UWC-USA in Montezuma. As a Sampath. “She’s very, very loving — and very silly. You don’t get but I want to have the tools to do something real and practical, City. Mariana also worked for Amnesty International, volunteered teenager she won a Davis Scholarship to attend Lester B. Pearson that when you first meet her.” At the same time, “she can work and to really be able to help people, one on one.” at Boston Children’s Hospital, interned at the hospital’s Center UWC in Canada, where she was much involved with singing, really hard; she has a tenacity and a perseverance that I find really She is focusing her future on making a difference. At Wellesley for Young Women’s Health, donated her time to an after-school dancing, and choreography. She’s still drawn to the performing arts, amazing. College, she already has. program for young Somali refugees in West Roxbury, helped start a but at Wellesley her passion for science has grown alongside her “She’s just someone who does what she says she’s going to do. This year, Mariana was president of Alianza, the campus student group called Peaceful Justice that demonstrated against the commitment to social justice. She’s trustworthy in that way.” organization of Latin-American students, whose focus on building U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and raised money to help “If I can really make a difference in people’s lives, I want that,”

22 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 22 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 23 The Power of a Learning Experience With a Deepened Perspective, Ashirul Amin Aims to Make Change

Ashirul Amin Bangladesh Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Princeton University

Ashirul Amin “ hen I came here my direction was that I would He’d like to make a difference in developing countries be a computer scientist,” says Ashirul Amin of like his own. In his senior year Ashirul created a new SPARKS W Bangladesh, a Davis UWC Scholar at Princeton project: He began working with a Bangladeshi nonprofit to start University. “Computer scientists have good jobs and a secure an internship program enabling Western and Bangladeshi college lifestyle. Even if the economy crashes, you still need computers. students to work in his country on micro-credit lending. Ashirul “But then I got involved with SPARKS.” has already seen what this practice can achieve. As the story on page 13 details, the student service group “People have been able to take very small amounts of SPARKS, organized by Davis UWC Scholars Karim and money — $20, which is nothing here — and transform their Rishma Thomas, played a key role in creating a new high- lives,” he says. “Now they’re earning five times as much, and quality school in Afghanistan. The group has embarked on their children are going to school. It’s incredible. Now the additional projects as well. When Ashirul got involved as a children grow up to another level.” sophomore, it was basically to be the “tech person” — to work Looking at his own future, Ashirul is aiming for a graduate on the SPARKS Web site and other technical aspects. degree, then perhaps for development work that can combine But by the next year he was co-president, with fellow Davis his interests in technology and human advancement. UWC Scholar Ana Barfield ’04 of Serbia. In the process of “If you could find a way to get technology to people who getting more involved, Ashirul, a computer science major, had don’t have it now — a way which is cost-effective and basically seen his own perspective broaden, deepen, and change. feasible — then they’ll take it from there,” he muses. “To change “I’m still very interested in computers, and I spend a lot of things back home, you need people who understand the people, time with them — but at the same time I’ve realized that there’s and who also have the ability to make a change. The thing that this other thing I want to do as well.” makes a person powerful is what he learns.”

24 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 24 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 25 “He’s Off the Charts” Says Prof. Kornhauser: “You sit there At Princeton there is no shortage of and think, Geez — I’d like to give this people who believe Ashirul Amin can “To change things back kid as many opportunities as possible. make a real difference. He’s going to do great stuff.” “He’s off the charts,” says home, you need people who Engineering Professor Alain Kornhauser. “No Longer a Dream” “He’s so competent in what he’s doing, understand the people, and Here are some excerpts from and you can see that he wants to address the speech that Ashirul delivered much broader, socially relevant issues in who also have the ability to the convocation that welcomed the world around him. President Karzai to Princeton last “You’d like to see him on the to make a change. The September: international stage — which is really “Thanks to the unanimous appropriate for him,” Kornhauser thing that makes a person support from the United World believes. “He will find somebody who powerful is what Colleges, the tremendous backing will appreciate his combination of talent, from members of the university and he’ll just rise.” he learns.” community, notably President “Ashirul is amazingly approachable,” Tilghman, President Goheen, Vice says Ana Barfield. “He’s the only person President Dickerson, and Professor I know that any time of the day or 3 Danspeckgruber, and the incredible night, if I ask him about something, he generosity and enthusiasm of the Ashirul Amin, Princeton ‘04 will respond, and make sure he helps.” Afghan government, this project is When Afghan President Hamid no longer a dream of a handful of Karzai accepted SPARKS’s invitation to students but a reality in the making.” come speak at Princeton last September, The opening of the Ashirul was chosen to speak for the group. He and Ana stayed up SPARKS Academy to its first class in November, Ashirul very late the night before, composing and practicing his speech. said, would be “the first step in the establishment of a merit- “None of us had ever done anything like that, talking in front based school of excellence for 1,500 students on a beautiful of so many people,” she says. “Especially with the president of the piece of land granted by the Government of Afghanistan and country sitting right there!” the Municipality of Kabul. By bringing Afghanistan’s diverse When the time to speak came, “he was extremely good,” says demographic groups together, the school will also aim to foster an Shirley Tilghman, Princeton’s president. “He was a credit to the environment of pluralism and inter-ethnic understanding. United World College program, he was a credit to Princeton. It was “We are excited and yet humbled by this opportunity to one of those wonderful moments.” contribute in some small way to Afghanistan’s reconstruction,” he told President Karzai. “Working together with you, we look forward to celebrating the day when the first Afghan Academy Opposite: Ashirul Amin with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. graduate receives the ‘yes’ letter from Princeton.”

26 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 26 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 27 firefighter, beating out brushfires with consultant to a Cambodian NGO, the long paddles in the hot dry summer. Emergency Relief and Development Then came a disaster. “I would imagine that Commission. Meanwhile she was on “In 2001, my second year in India, her way to graduating from Colby in the Gujarat earthquake happened,” anyone who saw the three years, with a double major in Emma says. About 16,000 people were kind of stuff I saw in government and international studies. killed. Emma went to help. That began On campus, she has been involved a college-age career in disaster-relief India would realize the with the International Club, the and preparedness work. Muslim Club (though not Muslim, “I would imagine that anyone importance of getting Emma observes the Ramadan fast), who saw the kind of stuff I saw in and the campus gay-lesbian group India would realize the importance of involved,” Emma says. The Bridge. She was also student getting involved,” Emma says. But her representative on the college’s Board of involvement has been extraordinary. In Trustees. India she also volunteered in a home 3 “I think I’ve grown intellectually for the children of Bombay prostitutes, here, more than at any other time in and in Mother Theresa’s home for the my life,” Emma declares. Emma’s Journey dying and destitute in Calcutta. This autumn she will begin an An Engaged New Zealander Has Worked in Places Few Ever Know Then, as a first-year student at Colby, Emma contacted the accelerated, two-year program studying law at Cambridge University South Asia delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross in England. But, first, some actual time off. and Red Crescent Societies. It offered her a summer job as assistant “I’m not doing anything this summer! I want to have a normal Emma James to the disaster-response delegation, based in Delhi. student summer,” Emma says, flashing her bright smile. “I’m going to New Zealand Mahindra UWC of India That summer she did disaster-response and preparedness work in live in Boston, with my friends from Colby.” Colby College India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, which was enduring a four-year drought. But when she talks about looking ahead, there is a sense of She also helped train Red Cross units in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and purpose. Emma wants to work in international human rights law. rom a young age I’ve been very interested in international Raised in Christchurch, a quiet and well-groomed city on her Bangladesh. Emma helped to research a Red Cross report on human “It’s something that I’ve always dreamed of doing — and I don’t politics and policy — even when it was slightly dorkish to be country’s South Island, Emma won a scholarship to Mahindra UWC trafficking in South Asia, working with an organization in Delhi that think I would be in a position to do it if I hadn’t had the opportunity F that way,” says Emma James, a Davis UWC Scholar at Colby in India. On the bus from Bombay to the school, she remembers rescues and rehabilitates children sold into prostitution. to go to UWC and Colby,” Emma says. “In New Zealand, it was College. noticing that no two new students were from the same country. “I actually spent time going through the brothels of Delhi with very, very easy for me to accept the status quo, and not question too Emma smiles at the memory. She smiles a lot. Yet at age 22, this “I thought, well, this is a good start,” she recalls. this organization, and hearing the stories of a large group of girls much.” engaging New Zealander has already taken herself into some of the Mahindra challenged her — and she responded. “You had to who’d been taken,” she recalls. “It was a very moving experience.” Since leaving home, Emma says she has been “questioning all world’s most harrowing situations. If Emma’s journey to date is any be completely open to everything there,” Emma remembers. On the time.” prediction, she seems headed for a career of fearless engagement around campus, she ran a college-based literacy and health program for A Sense of Purpose It seems clear she’s not about to stop. the globe. children of the neighboring villages. She also served as a college During her second college summer, Emma worked as a trainer and

28 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 28 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 29 Going About the World

At Middlebury, Helene Songe Has Modeled Global Openness

Helene Songe Norway UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Middlebury College

elene Songe remembers the day she landed in that’s very representative of who she is, setting up an example Helene Songe Singapore. She was a high school student from of what one can really achieve.” H Norway, about to begin two years at the United “She’s just delightful — sparkly, energetic, warm, outgoing, World College of South East Asia. and she embraces life,” reflects Barbara Hofer, an associate “Everything was different — the different smells, incense professor of psychology who has been a mentor to Helene. and candles all over, and the different faces,” she remembers. “She’s someone who is just so open to new experience, and “Singapore is a very multicultural place, and they can still live she modeled that receptivity to everyone in class.” quite peacefully together.” Helene next became a Davis UWC Scholar at Middlebury Charting a Course for Change College — and here the busy, outgoing Norwegian has As a UWC student in Singapore, Helene traveled widely in modeled the cultural openness and curiosity she developed Asia, often visiting social and economic development projects. as a child, traveling with her family around Europe, then as a At the UWC she learned to open herself to a global diversity UWC student in Asia. of other young people. An international studies major with a focus on Latin “I have found the experience here at Middlebury to be America, Helene studied Russian, Spanish, French, and Swahili quite similar to what I experienced at Singapore,” she says. at Middlebury, lived in the Spanish House, became a leader “You share with so many students from different places — in the International Student Organization, and helped start from within the U.S. and from all over the world.” a South African “gumboots”-style student dance troupe. She “You can tell about somebody from the kind of friends spent semesters studying in Chile and Argentina, taught a they have,” Kido Kidolezi adds. “And everybody knows workshop in Norwegian language and culture, and took a Helene.” workshop in the Hindi and Urdu languages. In her academic focus, Helene again pushed into new “She inspires me, for the way she can do lots of different territory. “I picked Latin America as a region to specialize in, things — a combination of things that maybe somebody rather than focusing on Europe with my Spanish, because I wouldn’t think is possible,” says fellow Davis UWC Scholar feel it’s more urgent, with more basic needs that need to be Yohanne “Kido” Kidolezi, a junior from Tanzania. “I think filled in that part of the world,” she explains.

30 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 30 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 31 “Anthropology is my main myself running around in different specialization. I’m focusing on sectors, maybe writing articles. But cultures a lot. I find that, even “I think leadership skills I could also see myself eventually though more things tend to get working with an institution that prioritized in terms of economics are really important, for is making a difference in concrete and politics today, many of the ways.” problems in Latin America are things to change; but I also cultural as well, in terms of the think that people working “An Excitement and a Passion” struggle to unify the European and At Middlebury, Hofer believes the indigenous.” from above can fail if they Helene’s impact on the campus Helene has applied to master’s community has typified the effects degree programs in England, in don’t try to understand of the Davis UWC Scholars here. development theory and practice. “She is so mature and so For her future, she hopes to aim for essential problems that worldly, and she’s typical of what leadership in international work, these students have brought with but also to keep listening to the depend on culture and basic them from the United World struggles and stories of people in needs,” Helene reflects. Colleges — openness to new the developing world. experiences, interest in other “I think leadership skills cultures, desire to learn new things. are really important, for things 3 There’s a way in which they carry to change; but I also think that all that with them, and there’s an people working from above can excitement and a passion about it. fail if they don’t try to understand “I think Helene’s going to be essential problems that depend on culture and basic needs,” remarkable, whatever she does,” Hofer adds. “It will have some Helene reflects. “I’d like to have more dialogues with people large international component, surely. This is her way of going living in different societies. I like being creative, and can see about the world.” “Helene is more than just a person with a heavily stamped passport,” adds Courtney Hillebrecht, an American classmate Opposite: Helene Songe with the South African-style “Gumboots” dance and friend. “She’s just a really dynamic person, whether she troupe she helped organize at Middlebury. comes from Norway or North Carolina.”

32 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 32 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 33 staff member in whose home Mukhtar to local communities. has lived through much of college. “He “The most biodiverse places in was very shy when I first met him, but “That’s the way he is,” the world today are those where I’ve really seen him blossom.” the indigenous communities live,” In Professor Ken Cline’s course says COA staff member Mukhtar says. “That’s what we saw. “Introduction to the Legal Process,” That’s something the international Mukhtar became fascinated with Jean Sylvia. “He’s got a community needs to learn from.” learning how lawyers think. glowing smile, he’s very “That internship really opened “People would ask me, ‘How does the doors, in terms of ways he can go the legal system work in your country?’ bright — and if he believes home and make the most difference,” I would go to the Internet and find observes fellow Davis UWC Scholar out,” he says. in something, he will fight and classmate Dominic Mutanga of While he was at COA, his dad Zimbabwe. passed away. The college community for it.” Early this year, Mukhtar and helped him get back home, “and also Professor Doreen Stabinsky attended kept in touch with me when I was 3 the Conference of Parties to the UN home,” Mukhtar says. As the eldest Convention on Biological Diversity in unmarried son, he assumed his family’s Malaysia. “I was actually sitting at the leadership. Back in Maine, he stayed in negotiation table with the Ethiopian very close touch. delegation,” he says. Researching a Fulfilling a Father’s Dream “He just assumes all of his responsibilities,” Jean Sylvia says. senior project on whether there is need for an international regime “That’s the way he is. He’s got a glowing smile, he’s very bright on fair sharing of benefits from the use of native genetic resources, Mukhtar Amin Is Making the Most of His Chance — and if he believes in something, he will fight for it.” Mukhtar brought a lot of questions. “I got a lot of answers from people, and a better understanding Mukhtar Amin Village Wisdom & Global Exchange of the issue,” he says. Ethiopia In September 2002, Mukhtar stepped onto the world stage. He He’s aiming now for a graduate degree in international UWC of the Adriatic, Italy College of the Atlantic traveled with a group of COA students and teachers to South Africa environmental law and policy. Those who know him well look for the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. At forward to seeing what he does in the world. ukhtar Amin grew up in southeastern Ethiopia, the son country; there is a lot of poverty and environmental problems. I got this follow-up to the 1992 Earth Summit, the young Ethiopian “was “I think no matter what he ends up doing, it’ll be on the of a bus driver who had a dream for his kids. really interested.” in his element,” Cline says. “He was talking to the delegates, asking international level,” Professor Cline predicts. M “My dad never went to school — but his He won a Davis UWC Scholarship to attend the College of the them questions — educating himself, and also getting them to think Jean Sylvia remembers talking once with Mukhtar about all that mission in life was to make sure his children were educated,” Atlantic (COA) in Bar Harbor, Maine. On its waterside campus he about things. It was fun to watch.” his dad wanted for him. Mukhtar says. When Mukhtar was among four Ethiopians selected quickly made friends. Mukhtar next went home to do an internship with Ethiopia’s “I said, ‘Everything your father wanted for you are the same through a national competition to attend a UWC, “that was a huge “He’s well-respected and he’s honest,” says fellow student Zack environmental authority, and with a nonprofit promoting sustainable things my father wanted,’” she recalls. “People in all these countries achievement, to my dad.” Reidman from Connecticut. “He’s a busy, busy guy, but he’s got time development. His interests were now focused on traditional knowledge want peace. They want their children to do well. At the UWC in Italy, Mukhtar took an economics course that to talk to you.” and use of biological resources. He helped bring delegations from “Everybody wants a better life for their children.” dealt in part with the developing world. “My country is a developing “You can’t help but be drawn to him,” says Jean Sylvia, a COA across Africa to his country for a workshop on biodiversity, with visits

34 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 34 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 35 communities — along with filmmaker Back in India last summer for a Anand Patwardhan, flown in from vacation after working on the trial Bombay for this — that Anna at last “I noticed that when of former Serbian dictator Slobodan has time to talk. Milosevic in Holland, Anna and her A native of India who cares very people see a production, friend tracked down the filmmaker. much about the tough social concerns Nervously they dialed his number in that face her homeland, Anna joined as opposed to just talking Bombay. many issue discussions and presentations about an issue, their “This was our big moment!” she at Mahindra UWC in India, then says. “What would we say? And he during her first two years at Wellesley. guards let down,” Anna was like, ‘Sure. I’ll come.’” Along the way, she says, “I noticed He did. Anna led the fundraising that when people see a production, Kurien says. “They’re more that brought Patwardhan to Wellesley as opposed to just talking about an and staged the festival in February. issue, their guards let down. They’re interested in stretching a To her, this project was one more more interested in stretching a little. If part of what every UWC student you put something in a play, it’s more little.” learns to do: share their country appealing — it’s telling a story.” and culture with anyone who is Culture and Communication So as a sophomore she co- 3 interested. founded a Boston-based nonprofit “This is part of being a UWC A Scholar from India Puts the Arts to Work for Change called South Asian Association for student. You are always meant to be Theater — or SAATh, which means open to answering questions about Anna Kurien “together” in Hindi. With a board, tax- your country,” she says. “Not just in India exempt status, and much fundraising, SAATh has put on plays dealing front of a crowd of people at a film festival, but at dinner, in classes, Mahindra UWC of India with religious violence, domestic violence, and homosexuality in in dorm rooms, and certainly before and after the South Asian Wellesley College India. SAATh’s members include professors, actors, students, and cultural show every year.” utside her office, Wellesley College President Diana Scholars talk about how at their United World College they’ve “random South Asian people who are interested in activism, and She cautions questioners that India “has multiple truths. I’m Chapman Walsh grabs an issue of wellesleyweek. She learned all these ideals, intellectually and emotionally. Then they’ve white people who are interested in activism,” Anna says. always on my toes about bringing up different facts about India. It’s O points to a page-one article about an upcoming campus come to college and actually learned how to implement a lot of She also got involved with the Wellesley Association of South a responsibility; I don’t represent everyone in my country.” film festival, featuring the works of a much-honored Indian that.” Asian Culture, and with much else (“Do you want to hear everything Yet at Wellesley she has represented her country and UWC documentary filmmaker. Titled “An Impetus for Social Change in Anna Kurien says much the same, though she can’t say it I’ve organized? That would be quite a bit,” Anna says). Last year Anna well. For the future, Anna says, “I intend to study human rights law, South Asia,” the event will feature the filmmaker. Its organizer is right away. It’s not until several days later, after the weekend event and a fellow Indian student decided to put together a festival of films and go back to India and work. I want to do a lot of work there, Davis UWC Scholar Anna Kurien. has drawn students, professors, current and aspiring filmmakers, by Patwardhan, whose acclaimed works have dealt with militarism and make sure I make a difference.” Next year, though, she will be “She figured out how to do this. She got the funds, she arts activists, and various others from Wellesley, Harvard, and the fading legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, with workers’ and traveling the Caribbean, studying Creole language and culture on a brought the filmmaker here,” Walsh enthuses. “The Davis UWC Emerson College, other neighboring schools and the surrounding environmental issues, with fundamentalism and violence. prestigious Watson Fellowship.

36 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 36 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 37 3 Ashirul Amin Mukhtar Amin Salma Binte Anam Andriy Avramenko Bangladesh Ethiopia Bangladesh Ukraine Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC of the Adriatic, Italy Mahindra UWC of India Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Princeton University College of the Atlantic Wellesley College Colby College The Class “I’ve been very fortunate in the “After graduating, I plan to go “Being able to give is both a “One of the people who has helped guidance that I have received from to graduate school and study blessing and a privilege,” writes me greatly is Professor James Meehan faculty members at Princeton, but I international environmental issues,” Salma Binte Anam, whose major from the Economics Department,” would have to say Professor Michael writes Mukhtar Amin. “International was international relations with a Andriy Avramenko writes. “Professor of 2004 Doran has been the greatest mentor environmental law and policy is an concentration in peace and conflict Meehan is not just my advisor or of all,” writes Ashirul, a computer area of study that I never thought resolution. “I started the South Asian tutor, he is my friend. He was the one This section provides brief profiles and photos of science major with certificates, or about before coming to COA, so I music show on the college radio who helped develop my interest in minor concentrations, in robotics owe everything to what COA has all 43 members of the Davis United World College station, and after becoming news financial industry. On his suggestion and intelligent systems, and in Near offered me.” director I restructured the news and with his help I obtained an Scholars program’s graduating Class of 2004. Eastern studies. In particular, Mukhtar cites toward more live and phone internship with Barclays Capital in During the preparation of this yearbook, each Completing several of Professor the class that prepared a group of interviews. I have been president of New York City, in 2001. It was a senior scholar responded to several questions Doran’s courses on the Middle East students, including him, to attend the International Relations Council, great month, when I learned a lot from the Davis UWC Scholars program. They wrote and international relations, Ashirul the World Summit on Sustainable and I led a project that raised over and made the decision of pursuing a about the impacts of their college experience on says he gained “a lasting interest in Development in South Africa in $1,000 for a small primary school career in banking. this field. He is also my advisor for September 2002. The feature article their lives, learning, and goals. Many also briefly in a black township in Cape Town. “In the coming years I am the paper I am writing for the NES on page 34 describes his participation I have tried to develop personal planning to work with JP Morgan described their plans and hopes for the future. The certificate, investigating certain facets in that summit, and his follow-up relations with everyone I have Chase in London. This is a direct profiles that follow quote from their responses. of Saudi-Bangladeshi relations — and trip to Malaysia in 2004 to attend interacted with. outcome of my experience at Colby. that too has been an incredible the Conference of Parties to the “I hope to combine graduate I am an economics and international learning experience. UN Convention on Biological studies in international relations studies major. “The most important lesson Diversity. with a law degree. I used to be a “After working for three or four that I will take away from college More than anything, Mukhtar neuroscience major, but after a year years I am planning to get my MBA, is that if one believes in something reflects that his experience at COA at Wellesley, I had the courage to try as I strongly believe in the value of strongly enough, anything is possible. “has made me self-confident. It has something I have more passion for. new knowledge. I think Colby’s Initiative is appreciated back home, also taught me that many of the “My experience in college emphasis on liberal arts and broad and the scope to be innovative there problems we face are interconnected, has opened my mind, taught me education has encouraged me even is enormous. I have the confidence and that solutions might lie in a maturity, humility, and leadership more to seek knowledge, and not just now that if I have a worthwhile number of areas. In other words, it skills, and given me the strength in the areas of my majors.” idea that can effect change, I can has taught me the broader picture of to give. My moments here have contribute to the momentum to global, national, and local issues.” been filled with inspiration and bring about that change.” magic. I hope to be able to pass that inspiration on.”

38 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 38 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 39 Nurlan Assilbekov Ana Barfield Ranjan Bhattarai Mahdi Bseiso Hendrik Chasse Rohan Chitrakar George Costow Arbër Davidhi Kazakhstan Serbia and Montenegro/UK Nepal Jordan Switzerland/Tibet Nepal Bulgaria Albania Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong UWC-USA UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong UWC-USA UWC-USA Colby College Princeton University The College of the Atlantic Colby College Princeton University College of the Atlantic Princeton University College of the Atlantic

At Colby, “my most interesting “The introductory Russian and Ranjan Bhattarai says the COA “I was involved in numerous and “Being on the tennis team was “I am interested in film production,” “Being at Princeton has been the “One of the most valuable experience was integrating into Chinese classes that I have taken at course that most broadened his career varied activities on campus, ranging definitely one of the more important Rohan Chitrakar writes. “I have been greatest experience in my life,” writes experiences I had during my American society,” writes Nurlan Princeton were quite life-changing,” options was Page Layout and Design. from being an accompanist in the experiences I have had, especially studying a variety of subjects focused George Costow, who majored in education at COA was my internship Assilbekov. “These four years were a writes Ana Barfield, who majored in “Since that class I have found a new Colby College Chorale to being considering it took up to four hours around visual arts, literature, and social computer science, with a certificate in Providence, Rhode Island,” writes gradual transition from a ‘complete sociology. “Apart from being taught interest in media, both in print and the technical coordinator at the a day,” writes Hendrik Chasse. “In theory. Through photography and or minor concentration in finance. “I Arbër Davidhi. “I learned how alien’ stage to an ‘Americanized by some of the most dedicated Web form, and am presently interning Colby Language Resource Center,” addition to this my relationship with film, I would like to explore issues have met so many very interesting computer networks function, and I foreigner’ stage. It was a path of many teachers I have ever known, these as a graphic design instructor at writes Mahdi Bseiso, a computer my coach was shaky at best, and around social development, Nepali people with valuable viewpoints that learned more about professional aspects cultural shocks and reverse cultural classes have opened up entire worlds Penobscot Job Corps. science major who minored in trying to deal with that has probably culture, and the environment. I have enriched me as a person and as a of a systems administrator’s position. shocks, and an exciting opportunity.” of literature, culture, and politics. “Throughout my years at COA, music. “Working with the Colby made me a better person. hope to complete an M.F.A. in film thinker. “In addition to working for A double major in mathematics With the help of the university, I have tried to organize the scattered Chorale built my teamwork and self- “In my freshman year, my tennis production, and then to contribute “By far the greatest influence Computer Services for over three and economics with a minor in after sophomore year I attended voices of the international students. confidence skills.” At the Language captain, John Portlock, took me towards the social development of my that college has had on me is in the years, I was able to attend a wide administrative science, Nurlan fears an advanced Russian course in St. I organized a forum called Resource Center, he helped dozens under his wing and made sure I country.” sphere of technical and scientific variety of classes at COA — from that “I have benefited from Colby Petersburg, and I will be going to International Students of COA of students and faculty with various worked extremely hard every day. At COA, guided by Professor learning. At Princeton, I discovered sciences to philosophy. I feel the more than Colby benefited from me. Beijing after graduation to participate (ISCOA), collaborated with a number movie production and Web design It was a great feeling to see that Nancy Andrews, Rohan completed the beautiful world of computational knowledge I learned has showed But I hope I restored the equilibrium in the Princeton-in-Beijing second- of students to draft the charter of projects. “By working in the LRC, someone cared so much so quickly. a video project based on ten weeks mathematics and data analysis. I have me the paths I can take in order to a little by helping people to fix their year Mandarin course, after which I ISCOA, and was heavily involved I made many new friends and built “Ever since I was a little kid I of working with a developmentally found great excitement in topics like further educate myself. I would like computers over the years I have been plan to stay in China and work. in three international evenings.” He genuine relationships.” planned on working in the financial delayed child and his family. “I the optimum algorithm for finding to try out some different working here, and by being helpful to people. “I have long hoped to one day hopes to earn an MBA and then “I believe that every student industry, and my major here at learned the importance of keeping a convex hull, or efficient ways to environments. “My ultimate professional goal end up working for an international start his own design firm, while also at Colby contributes something Princeton made that easier to an open mind to the way the subject exchange information securely. While “One of the major ways that is to be one of the best specialists in organization, perhaps one of the UN helping friends start a media center unique. I tried to play my ‘role’ by achieve,” adds Hendrik, who majored views the world. The story my this might seem uninspired compared college has affected me is through providing people with solutions to bodies,” Ana adds, “but I am very back home in Kathmandu. informing my fellow students about in operations research and financial subject revealed over time became to topics like world peace and raising my awareness as a global their financial needs,” he concludes. much keeping my options open. Thanks to COA, “I have an Islam and where I come from in engineering. “I now have a job at a far more powerful than the imposed understanding, I feel that mathematics citizen. This awareness lets me look at “Colby gave me the necessary “Princeton has been a place excellent command on development the Middle East. I also clarified the hedge fund in Connecticut.” narrative I had scripted. and science is where Princeton has things I do every day without taking knowledge and skills, which I hope where maintaining and acting on theories and economics,” Ranjan inaccurate stereotypes spread by “The years at COA gave me the taught me the most, and where I find them for granted. It makes me think to use wisely. Also, people here really UWC ideals has not always come writes, thanking teachers Doreen media everywhere. I have also learned opportunity to question my own my calling in life. about the ever-changing meaning of do get to know each other — and easy. That said, people I have had the Stabinsky and Davis Taylor in to appreciate and celebrate the identity, and challenged me to think “As I pursue the truth in these being a citizen, and what I should do I think this ability to associate opportunity to work closely with particular. “I leave with a wide variety differences between people’s cultures beyond caste, race, nationality, and fields, I am certain that I will to embrace practices that favor the yourself with other people will play here have shown me how far true of career options. I have learned a and beliefs, and I have learned to gender, to the commonalities that all contribute to making the world a natural landscape. So at College of the an important role in my future life, dedication can go — and that there great deal, inside and outside the take the best from each culture I humans share. I hope when I begin better place for all of us.” Atlantic, I obtained a great education both in the U.S. and at home.” are really no limits to what hard classroom, and have emerged more encounter and adapt it.” work in Nepal I can share this value as well as a strong logic to defend this work, and a bit of luck, can achieve.” determined and confident.” of focusing on human similarities, to education.“ create a more socially just world.”

40 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 40 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 41 Charles Benson Data Stanislava Dratvova Peter Fabian Javier Fernandez Riveiro Igor Gnyp ElizaBeta Gorgoska Jerina Hajno Jonathan Hsu Sudan Slovakia Slovakia Spain Ukraine Macedonia Albania Hong Kong Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC of the Adriatic, Italy Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC of the Atlantic, Wales UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Colby College Wellesley College Princeton University Middlebury College Colby College Colby College Wellesley College Princeton University

“Like most students, I came to “Coming from a formerly “I spent my junior year studying “The experience that has affected “My experience as a Colby outdoor “My study-abroad program at “Perhaps the most influential A mathematics major, Jonathan Hsu college not knowing what to expect,” Communist society, I was influenced at the University of Oxford. This me the most during these four years trip leader for first-year students UCL London was one of my best attribute of my overall college believes his most important decision writes Charles Benson Data, a by the principle of not standing out was one amazing year from which has been study abroad,” writes Javier has been one of the best things I experiences in college,” writes experience to my personal growth at Princeton was to stay for a fourth government and economics major. He and doubting your own achievements I benefited both socially and Fernandez Riveiro. “My year in Paris did in college,” Igor Gnyp writes. ElizaBeta Gorgoska, a biology major and future, besides the excellent year when he could have graduated found a job in the student post office, and qualities,” writes Stanislava academically,” writes Peter Fabian. He provided me with immeasurable “I met a lot of new and interesting who minored in computer science. liberal arts education and immersion in three. but it brought challenges. Charles had Dratvova. “UWC inspired me to think majored in operations research and growth, not only academic but also people, experienced the beautiful “Besides the fact that London is ... in a highly stimulating scholarly “I ended up having some of to wake up early. He also learned that for myself, to be the best I can be, and financial engineering at Princeton, social, cultural, and personal.” Maine nature, got certified as a first London, I had the opportunity to environment, has been acquiring a the best times of my life — taking his supervisor, Allen LaPan, is gay. to follow my dreams. Wellesley made where “my boss and adviser, Professor At Middlebury, Javier majored aid instructor, learned a lot about meet one of the leading professionals healthy and mature perspective on courses in different departments, “Coming from a society where many of these dreams come true. Alain L. Kornhauser, has greatly in international studies, focusing outdoor leadership, and interacted in the field of computer science, and the challenges and obstacles which attending public lectures by big-shot homosexuality is considered beyond “I am an economics major, and influenced the way I spent my last on European studies with political with students from all over the U.S. to take part in virtual reality research I will encounter along my path,” speakers, and having intellectual the pale, I could not know what to have focused my coursework on year and a half. His visionary ideas science and French. He was much and the globe.” projects.” writes Jerina Hajno. At Wellesley she discussions in my eating club (with make from all that. I decided I will international finance and business. had a profound impact on my life involved in Spanish language and On campus, Igor credits Sue At Colby, “I brought a piece of majored in cinema and media studies, people you least expect it from, no just let time tell. I hope to pursue a career in during this period. cultural organizations and activities. McDougal, associate dean of students, my culture with me to this ‘bubble’ with a minor in Italian studies. less!). I can truly say I have become a “Contrary to my past narrow international business or diplomacy, “I believe the most important “I have tried to be a resource for for being “simply indispensable. She — my way of thinking, my attitudes. “Education at a multiethnic, more enlightened person. concept of the family, Allen would as I think this is where I can make a quality I have acquired is the true people that were interested in Spain, has advised me on many issues, and Hopefully someone picked up some multicultural college, where minority “I have been a peer educator in the often remind me to call home by difference and improve the lives of appreciation for other individuals,” Spanish language, or Spanish culture,” has helped me out numerous times.” of it, and will take it home. For many a groups are not only respected but residential colleges for the past two asking how my family is doing. He many people . Peter reflects. “Interaction with other he writes. “I hope this has positively A double major in economics and dot on the globe became ‘Macedonia, strongly encouraged to improve years, which plays an important role would be a great father, if given the “At Wellesley I was taught by individuals during my past four influenced their visions about my international studies, with minors in where Betty came from.’” their status, further proved to me the in the university’s effort to improve choice. It would therefore be highly brilliant professors, found support to years has indeed affected my attitude country. math and financial markets, he says “the Next, “I am hoping to become importance of enduring one’s stand diversity.” He has long looked toward unfair not to mention that gay people pursue my academic passion during towards my future.” “Throughout these four years, I’ve college has helped me to find the subject a research assistant at the Institute on a cause. The ongoing academic a career in higher education, “but my like Allen deserve the moral right to two wonderful internships at the realized that I am passionate about I really want to pursue — finance. of Hawaii,” ElizaBeta adds. “Colby debate enhanced my knowledge interest has switched from research have families. Allen taught me how World Trade Organization and the international issues. I think I would My plan is to try to establish myself has given me the opportunity to and awareness of newer perspectives, and teaching to administration.” to love my family better, and that fear United Nations in Geneva, grew like to work for an international in the world of investment banking. communicate with professionals in initiatives, and approaches in different At Princeton, “I have developed and running away from our problems fond of the wonderful city of Boston, organization or a supranational “The experience at Colby taught the field, and to do an internship fields. my leadership immensely through will not do us any good. and made lifelong friendships. I feel one, such as the European Union. me independence,” he adds. “I and on-site experience — and it has “Examining the experience of these the various student organizations I “There is no doubt that my truly inspired and empowered and Whichever path I take, I know I learned how to prioritize and divide taught me that it’s time for some hot last four years through the point of view participate in. My public speaking experience at Colby will have a huge would like to thank all my professors, will always be interested in learning time. I became a more sophisticated, spots on the globe. of two other cultures — my native skills have also improved. These effect on what I do in the future. especially Ann Velenchik and Akila and in expanding my knowledge. At well-spoken, educated person. “I’ve met wonderful people here. I Albania and Italy, where I spent my attributes will undoubtedly prove I have learned tolerance, and the Weerapana, the Knapp Center Middlebury, I have learned that the College developed such qualities as had the best of times. I learned. I got junior year — helped me to realize useful in any walk of life. (Of course, willingness to accept people who are staff, and my friends, for making most important thing might not be to tolerance and understanding. These my degree to bring home worlds of the positive and courageous outlook I if I enter academia, then the material different from you.” my undergraduate experience so possess great amounts of knowledge, will prove very useful in my life.” possibilities, and tons of memories.” currently retain on the future.” I have learned in class will also be wonderful.” but to know how to use it.” useful!)”

42 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 42 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 43 Emma James Anna Kurien Chin Hin Leung Nicholas Matatu Mariana Mejia Dominic Muntanga Inna Poliakova Ana Prokic New Zealand India Hong Kong Zimbabwe Colombia/U.S.A. Zimbabwe Russia Serbia Mahindra UWC of India Mahindra UWC of India Pearson UWC, Canada Li Po Chun UWC, Hong Kong Pearson UWC, Canada UWC of the Atlantic, Wales UWC-USA UWC-USA Colby College Wellesley College Middlebury College Colby College Wellesley College College of the Atlantic Wellesley College Colby College

“My time at Colby has been “I have long dreamed of being a “I would say chamber music has “Last year I took ‘Globalization, Believing that a U.S. military response “Here at COA I have developed “I have greatly enjoyed playing “I hope to be involved in international incredibly rewarding, both intellectually, human rights lawyer, and my ambition been the biggest discovery for Political Economy, and Social in Afghanistan to 9/11 would harm networks and skills that I will need at cello in the college orchestra,” writes relations, more specifically human socially, and culturally,” writes Emma is finally in sight,” writes Anna Kurien. me at college,” writes Chin Hin Change,’ a class taught by Jonathan civilians without achieving justice for home,” writes Dominic Muntanga. Inna Poliakova. “Collaboration with rights,” writes Ana Prokic, a James, a dual major in government and “I am dedicated to working for justice. Leung, who majored in chemistry White,” Nicholas Matatu writes. the Twin Tower attacks, as a “The U.S. has also changed my Brandeis University has allowed government major with a minor in international studies. “I have enjoyed My experience in college has shown at Middlebury, with a minor in “This offered me a great chance sophomore Mariana Mejia helped attitude. Politics classes were inspiring, us to perform more serious and psychology (see also the feature story the opportunity to become involved me the power of grassroots organizing, German. Playing music, he continues, to analyze in serious depth the organize the student group Peaceful and they made me want to go out challenging pieces.” This spring, Inna’s on p. 16). “I hope to stay in the U.S. in political debates and movements and I hope to carry these lessons “is a whole new way to interact with phenomenon of globalization that Justice on the Wellesley campus. The there and do something on a small experience culminated with the for several more years, provide college I might not otherwise have been forward into my career.” people. The groups I was in played affects virtually everyone on our group went on to participate in area scale. I have also taken upon myself a college orchestra’s performance of tuition for my sister, and get a master’s exposed to. I have been impressed with Anna majored in French cultural concerts at the college, as well as for planet. Since I believe this is now the peace initiatives before and during the number of projects at home that have Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. degree. the commitment of American students studies and English at Wellesley and was the folks in Porter Hospital Nursing international system, having replaced war with Iraq. inspired and encouraged me to do “Another unforgettable experience “I believe that I have matured a lot to political, multicultural, and social active in a number of organizations, Home and the Project Independence the Cold War, I feel it important to be “We have organized teach-ins, so.” At COA, Dominic was a senior was spending a month abroad in at Colby. Both outside and inside the justice causes. My exposure to this level including Amnesty International, senior center in town. fully aware of the concepts in play.” walkouts, student protests, debates, class representative and an active Spain,” adds the economics and classroom, I learned about American of activism and enthusiasm has had a Habitat for Humanity, and Best “Here at Middlebury I continue A government major with a minor conversations, etc.,” she writes. One member of the All College Meeting Spanish major. culture and life in the United States. huge effect on me. Buddies, along with student initiatives to explore the many questions that concentration in East Asian studies result was a lively and constructive and the College Steering Committee. Tutoring computer science, as Numerous times, I was the only “Janice Kassman, dean of students, including the anti-war coalition arose in my mind during my time and Chinese, Nicholas now hopes “to discussion on campus; another was a “Doreen Stabinsky (professor), part of the college’s exceptional peer non-American in the class, offering has been a mentor to me,” Emma Peaceful Justice. This spring she received in Pearson UWC. I realized there travel extensively — and it would be referendum against the war passed by Ken Cline (advisor), Donald and tutoring program, “was at the same a different perspective and a different adds. “I have been fortunate enough a Watson Fellowship; she will spend are many goals one could pursue for nice if I could find a job that allowed College Government. “Working with Beth Strauss (trustees), and my friends time the most challenging and the point of view. Each activity I was to work with her in a number the next year traveling the Caribbean, one’s life, apart from trying to raise me to do that. My experiences at people who are driven by an honest have all provided some invaluable most rewarding experience. I had to dedicated to made a difference in my of different capacities, on various studying Creole language and culture. one’s socioeconomic status. Colby have only heightened my and common belief in peace is one of guidance. We spoke about everything provide expertise and encouragement, life: being an advocate for victims of committees and task forces. Her open “I am filled with gratitude for all “I have decided to pursue desire to see the many places I have the most rewarding experiences I have from politics to my career goals, and combat frustration, and think on my rape and home family violence, being and flexible approach to difficult that I have seen and learned here at graduate studies in chemistry, to studied and come to understand had at Wellesley.” I admire them immensely. Outside feet, but I also shared my excitement a chief justice of the Judicial Board, etc. issues has been inspiring and most Wellesley,” Anna writes. She recalls acquire more specified and in-depth (somewhat). My only desire is to use Mariana has applied to medical College of the Atlantic I have been about the subject. Above all, it is a great “I have learned one important educational. one day where she attended a moving knowledge — because I enjoy an my time on this planet for positive school in New Mexico, and also inspired by Parkman Samuel Shaw, Jr., feeling to be able to help. ” thing about myself — that I love “I hope to pursue a career in lecture at lunch, by a Senegalese academic environment, and because purposes.” hopes to spend the year after who is a great friend and mentor.” After graduation, Inna will begin her helping people, through community international human rights law. My woman who had renounced female I picture it as the most effective way At Colby, “every person makes graduation in Colombia. “Eventually For the future, he sees three career at Banc of America Securities. service, advice, or simply listening. time at Colby, and the experiences I genital-cutting in her village, then in through which I can enable myself some sort of impact on the college the dream is to open a small clinic for possible paths: “Establish a cultural “After I get enough experience, I I truly desire to dedicate my life to have had abroad during my summers, the evening saw a Iranian film shot on to contribute to our society in the community,” he adds. “I would like young women in a rural area (could center in Zimbabwe and a fisheries want to return to Russia so that I can changing people’s lives, and to leaving have ensured that I will approach my the Afghan border. “These two events future.” to think I made a positive impact on be in New Mexico or Colombia), and company; establish a consultancy do something for my own country a significant imprint in changing the next degree with a level of maturity made me feel so blessed to be part of all my friends just by being myself also volunteer with Doctors Without center for nonprofits, small businesses, and be near my family,” she concludes. world for the better and bringing and understanding which I might not a community where I had access to — just like any other person.” Borders. I know, it sounds a little and government agencies; go into “Wellesley has been a great place peace to countries like my own.” otherwise have achieved.” such diverse sources of knowledge.” idealistic — but why not aim high?” politics.” to learn, and it opened incredible opportunities for me.”

44 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 44 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 45 Diego Puig Peter Rashkov Volha Roshchanka Valentina Saltane Natasha Shevde Sardar Shokatayev Darshan Shrestha Argentina Bulgaria Belarus Latvia India Kazakhstan Nepal “I really think we Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC of the Adriatic, Italy Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Mahindra UWC, India Mahindra UWC of India UWC-USA Colby College Colby College College of the Atlantic Colby College Middlebury College Middlebury College Middlebury College have changed as an “My studies in philosophy have “I was an officer of the Colby “Changes come from inside,” writes “I enjoy working with people and Her years at Middlebury “taught “My college experience has made “One day when I was playing golf institution, because of had a great impact on me,” writes International Club and have tried Volha Roshchanka. “For me it offering a helping hand to those me to be more independent and me more understanding, accepting, with my two suite-mates, Craig and Diego Puig, who majored in through the activities I organized was important to learn that I have who need one,” writes Valentina aware and well-grounded,” writes and appreciative of differences,” Charlie, I realized the essence of what the Davis UWC Scholars government with a philosophy to expand its presence on campus,” freedom to be whoever I want — and Saltane, an international studies major Natasha Shevde, an economics major writes Sardar Shokatayev, who college means to me,” writes Darshan program. Some of that minor. “Philosophy has introduced writes Peter Rashkov, who majored that meant learning to think freely who minored in anthropology and who minored in political science majored in economics and French Shrestha. “It was a beautiful day. We me to synthetic reasoning, the ability in mathematics and economics. “As and across boundaries. While not education. “I have taught for two and Italian. “The language courses at Middlebury. “It turned me from talked about how bad we were at is because these to put together small premises to the number of UWC students has encouraged in the society I grew up semesters at George Mitchell School at Middlebury were incredibly a jumpy, touchy teenager into a golf and how life would be after get a bigger picture. Together, all my increased, the international events and in, such freedom gave me passion for in Waterville, worked as a volunteer fun. Just being able to start a new peaceful, confident man. college. We gazed into the horizon students are leaders. academic experiences at Colby have the discussion about the problems knowledge, and the understanding at a local church kitchen, visited the language from scratch was a unique “What I am most grateful to and wondered. It was a mix of good They are such strong given me the tools to analyze social that international students face have that it is never too late to start animal shelter, and I also had two experience. Middlebury for (and therefore conversation and good company; and political processes in depth, and become more noticeable. learning. I believe free thinking is mentees at Colby College. Overall, “Middlebury has presented indirectly to Mr. Davis),” Sardar we were intellectually challenging individuals, who have to be creative in dealing with many “Colby gave me an opportunity to crucial to solving problems in our “I have organized several inter- me with all sorts of people; one adds, “is the opportunity to meet each other but at the same time of the issues that afflict us individually sample courses from different subject lives, our societies, and our world. national events and have been strongly can’t help but feel prepared to take the people I have met here. I have encouraging and supporting each such presence about and as a community. areas, and at the same time to specialize “At COA I had the freedom to involved with the international office. on a new challenge,” she reflects. made some true friends, hopefully other as friends. them; they come to a “As an international student, I in two majors. For me, Colby painted explore a wide variety of courses During my projects I developed close “My presence as a representative of for life. We shared many memorable “Yes, coming to Middlebury has have developed many friendships a landscape of American society, and and out-of-classroom experiences. I relationships with my mentees, got to the UWC program has definitely moments, and I have learned from increased my knowledge. But college place like this and they with Americans; being a gay student gave me a chance to compare my am grateful to everyone who helped know many people from Waterville, made people more aware of the them more than I did in class. has also taught me to think, and to and activist, I have been able to use own values and the values of the me and to all my professors at COA, and created some lasting friendships. organization, and helped them realize “As for my life back home, it appreciate the process of learning. are really active in my relationships outside of the gay people of this country. I discovered in particular Fran Day, Anne Kozak, “Having been involved with many the importance of having cultural would be very challenging to fit back It has taught me that people’s ideas leadership roles.” alliance to fight homophobia. I’ve that it does not require much to be Doreen Stabinsky, and John Cooper. international events at Colby and diversity.” into that society, after spending six differ, and those differences are not been involved in political, social, and happy, as long as I am satisfied with the “I know my learning will not stop, taking many courses on international For the future, Natasha says, “I formative years abroad.” necessarily bad. It has taught me that Barbara Hofer artistic activities, which have given me little things in life. because it is a miracle to discover new issues, I want to get a Ph.D. in hope to find a satisfying job, and what transcends the great ideas and Associate Professor of Psychology the opportunity to show many people “Most of all I will remember the passions. As long as you are passionate international relations. hopefully move to Europe in a theories is how they affect us and the Middlebury College that despite being different, we can friends I made here and the beautiful about something, you are bound to “My college experience has couple of years!” ones we care about most.” respect each other and all get along. surroundings in Maine, especially the be an achiever. That was my lesson transformed me into a different An economics and premed major “Figuring out these connections coast. The red leaves in the trees, the at COA. Right now my passion is person, with a broader worldview with a minor in physics, Darshan between the ‘lofty’ UWC ideals freezing winter and green grass in to be helpful to a community or and more refined goals and next wants to “take those thinking (justice, equality, and peace) and our spring remain the same, and the faces individuals, and to bring the tools ambitions. Colby has given me skills and walk out into the real world. daily life is a major endeavor that just change. Only through my friendships and ideas I learned during my friends, education, opportunities I am hoping what I have learned will started at Colby. Wherever I go, I’ll will I keep a vivid and memorable experiences in UWC and COA.” to travel and discover new things, give me an upper hand in dreaming use the tools I acquired here to try to picture of the moments at Colby.” work experience, and what is most and making those dreams come true.” make a difference.” important — happiness.”

46 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 46 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 47 Helene Songe Madiha Tariq Karim Raheem Thomas Ona Virketyte Adelina Voutchkova Robert Ngetha Waithaka Hua Wang Anna Wlodarczyk Norway Pakistan Canada Lithuania Jamaica Kenya China Denmark/Poland UWC of South East Asia, Singapore UWC-USA Pearson UWC, Canada Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway UWC-USA UWC-USA Pearson UWC, Canada Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Middlebury College Middlebury College Princeton University Colby College Middlebury College Middlebury College College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic

“I believe I have contributed to the “From a daughter of the East to a “The work I have done with “In addition to an excellent Adelina Voutchkova did senior thesis “My experiences on and off the “The two courses at COA that “College of the Atlantic has shown international spirit of the college woman with a dream and an idea SPARKS (see p. 13) has been one education, we received another research on platinum anti-cancer rugby field have proven to be my changed my life are Introduction me that I have only begun my through the International Student of how to make it work — my of my most exciting and rewarding equally precious gift during our drugs and was involved with the real passion at Middlebury College,” to GIS [geographic information personal and intellectual journey,” Organization, the Scandinavian journey until now has been a ride experiences here,” writes Karim college careers — the people we International Student Organization, writes Robert Waithaka, who systems] and Land Use Planning,” writes Anna Wlodarczyk. “Human Student Organization, various other to remember,” writes Madiha Tariq. Thomas, who studied at the got to know,” writes Ona Virketyte, the Model United Nations, the captained the team this year. Because writes Hua Wang. “They provided ecology is a philosophy that aligns clubs such as the South African “Middlebury College has made me Woodrow Wilson School of Public who majored in international Student Investment Club, the Student rugby is a club sport at Middlebury, me a vital demonstration of human closely with my personal beliefs and Gumboot Dance Troupe, Study realize that I can really do whatever and International Affairs. studies at Colby, with minors in Advisory Council, and a community the team has organized much of ecology — an interdisciplinary values, and yet I have been repeatedly Abroad meetings for Latin America, I aspire to, but I have to be practical “The support that we have received administrative science and Russian service project for teaching ballet to its own support. “To represent our approach to problem-solving and challenged throughout my education. South Asian and African events, and about how to make it work. More from a variety of people at the language and literature. “It has been children three to 12 years old. territory at the national tournament, viewing the world. “I have been mostly influenced by activities related to the study of foreign importantly, I have learned that to university has been incredible, and a sheer pleasure to encounter people “I hope I have been able to often held in the south, we have had “As the only student from main- relationships with faculty and staff. It languages, among them Spanish and make a change, I have to be the played a significant role in the success like Dan in the Eustis post office, give back to the community at to undertake a variety of fundraising land China for two years, I organized is those conversations outside of class Russian,” writes Latin American change. we have had in establishing the only Brenda in the coffeehouse, Professor Middlebury,” she writes. Her thesis schemes,” Robert reports. “We can an array of activities, such as teaching that open your eyes to previously studies major Helene Songe. “I came here intending to study independent school in Afghanistan. Howard Lupovitch, Professor Julie de work “not only encouraged me to pride ourselves with being the two- Chinese and Tai Qi, showing Chinese unseen landscapes. I would like to “I would like to mention my first- economics and mathematics but Ambassador Robert Finn, who is Sherbinin, and many others. pursue a career in pharmaceutical time defending Northeast Division movies, giving presentations, and think that the relationships that have year seminar Professor Barbara Hofer, with the events of September 11, my currently on a one-year assignment “I also came to love my roommates research, but also showed me how II champs.” In 2004, the team was celebrating Chinese New Years. I also meant the most to me have also been who has been very kind and helpful. attention got drawn towards political at Princeton, has been a great of all four years. Besides tolerating one can make a difference, no matter intent on winning the national contributed to many course significant to the students, faculty, “I’m currently applying to science and I changed my major, inspiration to me. I have the deepest my existence, they have opened up how small, to the fight against Division II title. discussions by talking about my and staff that have influenced and graduate schools in Europe to do which really changed the way I think. admiration for him. to me the personal treasures of their cancer.” After graduate school for An economics major, Robert life in China.” inspired me. international development. I feel A semester in Madrid also helped me “I hope somehow to become hearts, and also revealed diverse and chemistry, she hopes to work in the hopes to work for a time at a Next, Hua says, “I will go to “My most immediate goal is much more informed and connected to grow. involved in addressing questions of unfamiliar ways of American life pharmaceutical sector. financial services firm in the U.S. graduate school in urban planning graduate study and the pursuit of to the world than before. That has “Every little moment here, from social and cultural development, — from introducing me to Dr. Seuss’s “UWC leaves most graduates with “This is intended to equip me with or geography. Then I’ll become a a doctorate degree. Subsequently made me feel more responsible for the late-night political discussion to either through the public sector or books to teaching me new expressions a sense of idealism and strong will to the tools to return to Kenya and city planner in China. Before COA, I hope to be involved in research, giving something back. the spontaneous get-together after through multilateral institutions such such as the ‘New York minute’ to make a difference in our societies,” work in the emerging markets field, I was a science student who saw the and ultimately in international “I’d love to take the initiative into class, has strengthened my belief that as the United Nations. classic American movies, the Citadel, a Adelina concludes. “Middlebury has with the basic notion that strong world through science only. COA environmental policy.” creating something new that could I can make something happen. I “My experience at Princeton wide array of creative swear words, and made me see a more realistic image financial markets lead to economic has widened my approach by giving enhance a fraction of the world. Just have recently decided to explore the has taught me to keep knocking on PB&J sandwiches. of the challenges and obstacles which development. My experiences at me the freedom to explore other by being here, we have learned how world of film and media, and possibly doors. There are remarkable faculty, “Such small, seemingly trivial need to be faced in order to live up college have been instrumental in disciplines. I became an independent one can cooperate and make friends, go into documentary filmmaking. administrators, and students here who experiences made the most of my to the UWC ideals. The unique tools giving me this vision.” and determined person, who can and that’s really what life is about. Maybe one day I can be the eyes for believe in changing lives and our years here, and I can honestly say it which Middlebury has given me will think holistically and strategically. I We are part of the whole, and by the world, and someone somewhere communities, and who encourage has been a great time. Best of all, I be extremely useful when I return to also learned to grasp opportunities. recognizing this interconnectedness will stop and see.” others to do the same.” learned to smile a lot. I will surely Jamaica to begin my career.” I learned to challenge the limit. All we can hope for a better future.” take that home.” these will make me a better person and a city planner in China.”

48 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 48 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 49 Class of 2005 Diana Choksey Asma Husain Samir Mastaki India Pakistan Italy Siri S. Aase Mahindra United World College of India United World College of the Atlantic, United World College–USA Norway College of the Atlantic Wales Middlebury College Colby College Mahindra United World College of India Princeton University Deidre Ciliento Ivan Tsepo Mihajlov United States Adani Illo Yugoslavia Dominique Ahkong United World College–USA Niger Li Po Chun United World College, Singapore Middlebury College United World College–USA Hong Kong Middlebury College Colby College United World College of South East Asia, Singapore Andreea Cojocaru Middlebury College Romania Nishad Jayasundara Szymon A. Mikulski United World College–USA Sri Lanka Poland Said Al-Nashashibi Wellesley College Mahindra United World College of India Lester B. Pearson United World College 3 Jordan College of the Atlantic of the Pacific, Canada Colby College United World College–USA Galia T. Debelouchina Middlebury College Bulgaria Eunice Kagucia Alexandru Mocanu Red Cross Nordic United World College, Kenya Romania Anna Azaryeva Norway United World College–USA The Russia Colby College Wellesley College United World College of the Adriatic, Italy United World College of the Adriatic, Colby College Italy Negar Dolatabadi Eduarta Kapinova Wellesley College Iran Albania Nandini A. Naik Undergraduate United World College of the Adriatic, Mahindra United World College of India India Amer Barghouth Italy College of the Atlantic Jordan Middlebury College Mahindra United World College of India Colby College Mahindra United World College of India Megha Kapoor Classes Justin Dubois Middlebury College India Canada Dorian M. Needham United World College of South East Asia, Canada Pawel Brodalka Lester B. Pearson United World College Singapore The following pages list the undergraduate Davis Poland of the Pacific, Canada Colby College United World College of the Atlantic, Colby College Wales United World College Scholars — the members of United World College of the Atlantic, Princeton University Wales Yohanne Kidolezi Andre Estanislao the Classes of 2005, 2006, and 2007. Colby College Tanzania Philippines Daiva Nevidomskyte Red Cross Nordic United World College, The scholars are listed alphabetically by class. Lithuania Adelin Cai Lester B. Pearson United World College Norway Each scholar’s name is followed by his or her home Singapore of the Pacific, Canada Middlebury College Red Cross Nordic United World College, Middlebury College Norway country (or countries), UWC school, and present Red Cross Nordic United World College, Wellesley College Norway Yana K. Krasteva Andrew Fanous college or university. Colby College Bulgaria Egypt Thupten Norbu United World College–USA Tibet Xan Chacko Lester B. Pearson United World College Princeton University India of the Pacific, Canada Mahindra United World College of India Middlebury College College of the Atlantic Mahindra United World College of India Yan Kung Wellesley College Canada Cristina Gomez Joseph O. Okeyo Li Po Chun United World College, Colombia Kenya Ka Yan (Chilann) Chan Hong Kong Hong Kong United World College–USA Colby College United World College of South East Asia, Middlebury College Singapore Li Po Chun United World College, Colby College Hong Kong Brenda Kwambana Lubos Hudec Colby College Zimbabwe Czech Republic Joannah Opot Red Cross Nordic United World College, Kenya Mark G. Chapman Mahindra United World College of India Norway Zimbabwe Colby College Wellesley College Mahindra United World College of India Middlebury College Lester B. Pearson United World College of the Pacific, Canada Joanne Hunter Yunpeng Li Lorenzo Orecchia Colby College South Africa China Italy United World College of the Atlantic, United World College of the Atlantic, Sambardhana Chitrakar Wales Wales United World College of the Atlantic, Nepal Wellesley College Middlebury College Wales Princeton University Mahindra United World College of India Wellesley College

50 2004 2004 Davis Davis UnitedUnited World College College Scholars Scholars 50 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 51 Aleksandra Ossowska Kevin J. Selby Neha Sud Class of 2006 E. Evrim Bozkurt Shu-Hong Fung Salahaldin Hussein James Ivor Loxton Poland Canada India Turkey Hong Kong Palestine Canada United World College of the Adriatic, Lester B. Pearson United World College Mahindra United World College of India Anthony A. Abakisi Red Cross Nordic United World College, Li Po Chun United World College, United World College of the Atlantic, Mahindra United World College of India Italy of the Pacific, Canada Colby College Ghana Norway Hong Kong Wales Princeton University Wellesley College Colby College Colby College Colby College College of the Atlantic United World College of the Atlantic, Abdelqader Sumrein Wales Pascal Maharjan Yong Pan Mihaela Senek Jordan Colby College Jessica K. Y. Chan Christopher Geier Kristopher T. Kang Nepal China Sweden Lester B. Pearson United World College Hong Kong United States Canada United World College–USA Li Po Chun United World College, Mahindra United World College of India of the Pacific, Canada Seamus R. Abshere Li Po Chun United World College, United World College of the Atlantic, Li Po Chun United World College, Middlebury College Hong Kong College of the Atlantic Middlebury College United States Hong Kong Wales Hong Kong Middlebury College Colby College Middlebury College Princeton University United World College-USA Marcin Matuszek Sanjeev Kumar Shah Nina Therkildsen Princeton University Poland Justinas Pelenis Nepal Denmark Maria Charles Neli Georgieva Krista Kateneva Red Cross Nordic United World College, Lithuania Li Po Chun United World College, Red Cross Nordic United World College, Gonzalo Alonso India Bulgaria Estonia Norway Li Po Chun United World College, Hong Kong Norway Argentina Mahindra United World College of India Mahindra United World College of India United World College–USA College of the Atlantic Hong Kong College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic Wellesley College Middlebury College Wellesley College Colby College United World College of the Atlantic, Wales M. Bettina Miguez Karin Shankar Rishma M. Thomas Middlebury College Julia Clark Malvina Goldfeld Khushnum Kharas Uruguay Dusan Perovic India Canada Canada Israel India United World College–USA Serbia and Montenegro Mahindra United World College of India United World College of the Atlantic, Victor Amarilla Lester B. Pearson United World College Lester B. Pearson United World College Mahindra United World College of India Princeton University Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College Wales Paraguay of the Pacific, Canada of the Pacific, Canada Middlebury College Norway Princeton University College of the Atlantic Princeton University Boryana Mihaylova Princeton University United World College–USA Denis Shubleka College of the Atlantic Clara Z. Koh Bulgaria Albania Sally M. Torbert Sabrina E. De Abreu Tafadzwa L. Gwitimah Singapore United World College of the Adriatic, Paulina Ponce de Leon Barido Red Cross Nordic United World College, United States Olatokunbo Augustus Argentina Zimbabwe Lester B. Pearson United World College Italy Mexico Norway United World College–USA United States Li Po Chun United World College, United World College of the Atlantic, of the Pacific, Canada Wellesley College Lester B. Pearson United World College Colby College Princeton University Hong Kong Wales Colby College of the Pacific, Canada United World College–USA Colby College Colby College Middlebury College Nayantara Mukherji Wellesley College Anderson Shum Elona Toska Diana Kombe India Nandita Dinesh Maua Herme Hong Kong Albania Maria Banica Tanzania Mahindra United World College of India Stanislav I. Presolski India Tanzania Li Po Chun United World College, United World College of the Atlantic, Romania United World College of the Atlantic, Wellesley College Bulgaria Hong Kong Wales Mahindra United World College of India United World College–USA Wales United World College of the Adriatic, Princeton University Princeton University Red Cross Nordic United World College, Wellesley College Wellesley College College of the Atlantic Norway Amanda Muscat Italy Malta Colby College Wellesley College Rita Sikhondze Ly N. Tran Sebastien Douville Jun-Wei Hew Jakub Kostal Lester B. Pearson United World College Swaziland Vietnam Canada Malaysia Czech Republic of the Pacific, Canada Robert S. Redwood Selma Belkhayat Abou Omar Lester B. Pearson United World College United World College of the Atlantic, Morocco United World College of the Atlantic, United World College of South East Asia, United World College–USA College of the Atlantic United States of the Pacific, Canada Wales Wales Singapore Middlebury College United World College of the Atlantic, United World College–USA Wellesley College Colby College Princeton University Colby College Nicholas K. Mwai Colby College Wales Princeton University Polina Labovskaia Kenya Rohan Sikri Marc S. Verdiel Nikhit D’Sa Ameera Hiary Russia/Mozambique United World College–USA Anna Revchoun India Canada Lihi Ben Shitrit India Jordan Waterford KaMhlaba United World Colby College Ukraine Mahindra United World College of India Red Cross Nordic United World College, Israel Mahindra United World College of India Li Po Chun United World College, College, Swaziland Red Cross Nordic United World College, Middlebury College Norway College of the Atlantic Hong Kong Wellesley College Red Cross Nordic United World College, Caroline Mwaniki Norway Princeton University Wellesley College Kenya College of the Atlantic Norway Bonnie Sit Princeton University Adil J. D’Sousa Virginie Lavallee-Picard Lester B. Pearson United World College Hong Kong Nilochana Wickramarachchi New Zealand Yauheni Hladki Canada of the Pacific, Canada Benjamin R. Rice-Townsend Li Po Chun United World College, Sri Lanka Anisa Berdellima Lester B. Pearson United World College Belarus Lester B. Pearson United World College Wellesley College United States Hong Kong Li Po Chun United World College, Albania of the Pacific, Canada Red Cross Nordic United World College, of the Pacific, Canada United World College–USA Wellesley College Hong Kong Colby College Norway College of the Atlantic Bhupendra Nagpure Princeton University College of the Atlantic United World College of the Atlantic, Colby College Wales India Sheena Siu Wellesley College Page E. Dykstra Jia-Ling Loo Mahindra United World College of India Andras Rozmer Australia Christopher R. Yeoh United States Sikhululekile Hlatshwayo Malaysia College of the Atlantic Hungary Li Po Chun United World College, Malaysia Erin A. Blake United World College of the Atlantic, Zimbabwe United World College of South East Asia, Lester B. Pearson United World College Hong Kong Mahindra United World College of India United States Wales Lester B. Pearson United World College Singapore David Ng of the Pacific, Canada Colby College Colby College Princeton University of the Pacific, Canada Colby College Australia Colby College United World College of the Atlantic, Wellesley College Wales Li Po Chun United World College, Magda Stumpfova Princeton University Harriet N. Egessa Artan Loxha Hong Kong Santiago Salinas Czech Republic Kenya Claire Hua Kosovo Colby College Argentina United World College of the Atlantic, United World College of South East Asia United States United World College of the Adriatic, Lester B. Pearson United World College Wales Colby College United World College of South East Asia, Italy of the Pacific, Canada Wellesley College Singapore College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic Wellesley College

52 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 52 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 53 Christoph G. Nguyen Henry Steinberg Patrick Uwihoreye Tomasz T. Zajaczkowski Babatunde Bamigboye Kunda Chinku Vivek A. Freitas Germany United States Rwanda Poland Nigeria Zambia India United World College of South East Asia, Lester B. Pearson United World College United World College of the Atlantic, United World College–USA United World College of the Atlantic, Waterford KaMhlaba United World Mahindra United World College of India Singapore of the Pacific, Canada Wales Colby College Wales College, Swaziland Colby College Colby College College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic Colby College Middlebury College Mao Zheng Gjergji Gaqi O. Rocio Orantes Magdalena M. Stepien Jayadev Vadakkanmarveettil China Carmen Bedard-Gautrais Yi Kwan Chu Albania Guatemala Poland India Li Po Chun United World College, Canada Hong Kong United World College of the Adriatic, “Most of these Lester B. Pearson United World College United World College of the Adriatic, Mahindra United World College of India Hong Kong Lester B. Pearson United World College Li Po Chun United World College, Italy of the Pacific, Canada Italy Colby College Colby College of the Pacific, Canada Hong Kong Colby College students have a deep- Colby College Colby College College of the Atlantic Wellesley College Dominique Van de Sompel Adelajda Zorba Cybill A. Gayatin down conviction Devyani Parameshwar Melania S. Strycharska Belgium Albania Tamara Bogojevic Gilberto Cuadra Philippines India Poland Mahindra United World College of India United World College–USA Serbia and Montenegro Nicaragua United World College of the Adriatic, that it is possible, Mahindra United World College of India United World College of the Atlantic, Princeton University Colby College Waterford KaMhlaba United World United World College–USA Italy Wellesley College Wales College, Swaziland College of the Atlantic Colby College in this world, to live Princeton University Mutumwapavi C. Vengesayi Middlebury College Anjana Rajbhandary Zimbabwe Class of 2007 Bac T. Cuong Adelina L. Grozdanova Geshu Sugandh Magda Bokiej together. I think that, Nepal United World College of the Atlantic, Bulgaria Bulgaria United World College of the Adriatic, India Wales Huseyin Akturk Poland United World College of the Adriatic, United World College–USA Italy United World College of South East Asia, Colby College Red Cross Nordic United World College, Princeton University having had experience Turkey Italy College of the Atlantic Singapore Waterford KaMhlaba United World Norway Colby College Colby College Villian S. Vilhelmov College, Swaziland Middlebury College Naomi Haefner through engagement Martin Rajcan Bulgaria Colby College Horacio Diaz Adda Switzerland Slovakia Mihnea Tanasescu Lester B. Pearson United World College Anita Buragohain Uruguay United World College of South East Asia, in the difficult issues Mahindra United World College of India Romania of the Pacific, Canada Aleksandra Aljakna India Red Cross Nordic United World College, Singapore Middlebury College United World College of the Adriatic, Colby College Estonia Mahindra United World College of India Norway Middlebury College of cross-cultural Italy Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College Colby College Yerzhan Rashev College of the Atlantic Tomas Vorobjov Norway Adam S. Herling integration, they have Kazakhstan Slovakia College of the Atlantic Mauro Carballo Dumisani Dlamini United States Red Cross Nordic United World College, Justin Tata United World College of the Adriatic, Uruguay Swaziland United World College of the Atlantic, seen that it works. I Norway Sudan Italy Muayad Almahariq Lester B. Pearson United World College Waterford KaMhlaba United World Wales Middlebury College Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College Israel of the Pacific, Canada College, Swaziland Princeton University Norway College of the Atlantic have seen Davis UWC Lester B. Pearson United World College College of the Atlantic Sashank R. Rishyasringa College of the Atlantic Grace Wanjiku of the Pacific, Canada Juan Pablo Hoffmaister India Kenya Middlebury College Marco Casas Tshokey Dorji Costa Rica Scholars from Pakistan United World College of the Atlantic, Tiyona Taylor Li Po Chun United World College, Venezuela Bhutan Lester B. Pearson United World College Wales United States Hong Kong Anton Altement Waterford KaMhlaba United World Mahindra United World College of India of the Pacific, Canada and India get together Princeton University Lester B. Pearson United World College Wellesley College Estonia College, Swaziland College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic of the Pacific, Canada Red Cross Nordic United World College, Middlebury College and do projects; I have Alexander Salvador-Guido Princeton University Blake Williams Norway Nidhi Eipe David H. Hogue Nicaragua United States Middlebury College Rodney Chabikwa India United States Optat Tengia seen students from Red Cross Nordic United World College, United World College of the Atlantic, Zimbabwe Mahindra United World College of India United World College–USA Norway Tanzania Wales David A. Amadu Li Po Chun United World College, College of the Atlantic Princeton University Serbia and Bosnia Middlebury College Waterford KaMhlaba United World Middlebury College Sierra Leone Hong Kong College, Swaziland United World College of South East Asia, College of the Atlantic Annelene R. Fisher Liisa Hummal Middlebury College working together. This Hanano Sasaki Demeke A. Wondmagegn Singapore South Africa Republic of Estonia Japan Ethiopia Colby College Dhruv Chadha United World College of the Adriatic, B. Emilia Tjernstrom Lester B. Pearson United World College is why this experience United World College of the Atlantic, United World College of South East Asia, India of the Pacific, Canada Italy Wales Sweden Singapore Sangeeta K. Asre Mahindra United World College of India Colby College Princeton University College of the Atlantic Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College Colby College is so good.” Fiji Norway Lester B. Pearson United World College Alexander Fletcher Andres Jennings Colby College Marie Jeanne Coutchy Sene Pinar Yurekli of the Pacific, Canada Petrina Chan Canada United States Sylvia Hiestand Senegal Turkey Colby College Hong Kong/Canada Lester B. Pearson United World College Ana Trandafir Lester B. Pearson United World College Director of International Studies Li Po Chun United World College, United World College–USA Li Po Chun United World College, of the Pacific, Canada of the Pacific, Canada and Services, Wellesley College Hong Kong Romania Wellesley College Maria Lis Baiocchi Hong Kong College of the Atlantic College of the Atlantic Colby College United World College–USA Argentina Wellesley College Wellesley College Rami W. Zahran United World College of the Adriatic, Chui Ying Fong Juan A. Jung Nicole Sta Maria Palestine Italy Chen Chen Hong Kong Austria Philippines United World College of the Adriatic, College of the Atlantic China Li Po Chun United World College, Li Po Chun United World College, Lester B. Pearson United World College Italy Li Po Chun United World College, Hong Kong Hong Kong of the Pacific, Canada Colby College Hong Kong Middlebury College Colby College Middlebury College Middlebury College

54 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 54 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 55 Olivia K. Kamarebe Candice Manatsa Tsering Norbu Dzhelil S. Rufat Pranay R. Sonalkar Tatiana Virviescas Mendoza Uganda Zimbabwe Tibet Bulgaria India Colombia United World College of the Atlantic, Red Cross Nordic United World College, Mahindra United World College of India Red Cross Nordic United World College, Mahindra United World College of India Li Po Chun United World College, Wales Norway College of the Atlantic Norway Colby College Hong Kong Princeton University Wellesley College Princeton University Middlebury College Adriana Nordin Manan Nikitas Stamatopoulos “I think for many Sunita Kannan Rhobhi Matinyi Malaysia Fatou B. Sagnang Greece Jian Wang India Tanzania United World College–USA Senegal United World College of the Adriatic, China Americans, history and United World College of South East Asia, Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College United World College–USA Italy Red Cross Nordic United World College, Singapore Norway Princeton University Middlebury College Norway geography are fairly Wellesley College Wellesley College Andra T. Ofosu College of the Atlantic Ghana Hanna Sankowska Pavel Svaton Bocar Kante Simran McKenna abstract notions. When United World College of the Atlantic, Poland Czech Republic Wenao Wang Senegal United States/Canada Wales United World College–USA Red Cross Nordic United World College, China your classrooms get Lester B. Pearson United World College United World College of the Atlantic, Colby College Wellesley College Norway Red Cross Nordic United World College, of the Pacific, Canada Wales Middlebury College Norway Middlebury College Middlebury College an injection of people Mei Shan Ong Lalitya Sastrawinata Wellesley College Malaysia Indonesia Jamyang Tashi Michael K. Kiprop Renzo M. Mendoza Castro Bhutan from other places in the Lester B. Pearson United World College United World College of South East Asia, Ruth Wang’ondu Kenya Peru of the Pacific, Canada Singapore Lester B. Pearson United World College Kenya Lester B. Pearson United World College United World College of the Atlantic, Wellesley College Wellesley College of the Pacific, Canada United World College of the Atlantic, world, these discussions of the Pacific, Canada Wales Colby College Wales Colby College Colby College Gladys Onyango Sathyavani Sathisan Wellesley College become much more real Kenya Singapore Magda R. Tsaneva Cha-Ly Koh Chikoti Mibenge United World College–USA United World College of the Adriatic, Bulgaria Amity B. Weiss and meaningful. That Malaysia Zambia Wellesley College Italy Lester B. Pearson United World College United States Mahindra United World College of India United World College of the Adriatic, Middlebury College of the Pacific, Canada United World College of the Adriatic, creates more incentive Middlebury College Italy Paul K. Pawlowski Colby College Italy Wellesley College Canada Kenza Sayegrih Princeton University Ninoslav Krgovic Shehzia Valiulla for American students United World College of the Atlantic, Morocco Yugoslavia Petar Mitrevski Wales United World College of the Atlantic, India Alice Wilkinson to travel to other places, Waterford KaMhlaba United World Macedonia Princeton University Wales Mahindra United World College of India United Kingdom College, Swaziland Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College College of the Atlantic Red Cross Nordic United World College, Colby College Norway and to really become Archana M. Prasad Norway Middlebury College Fiji Parul Sharma Livia Vastag College of the Atlantic Chak Fu Lam Li Po Chun United World College, India Hungary engaged in thinking Hong Kong Dia Muthana Hong Kong Mahindra United World College of India Red Cross Nordic United World College, Vincent H. Yu Li Po Chun United World College, India Colby College Wellesley College Norway Hong Kong about and grappling Hong Kong Mahindra United World College of India Middlebury College Li Po Chun United World College, Middlebury College Wellesley College Felipe Pruneda-Senties Jui Shrestha Hong Kong with those issues.” Mexico Nepal Andre Filipe Veiga Princeton University Charlene R. Liu Nawar Najeeb United World College of South East Asia, Waterford KaMhlaba United World Portugal United States Malaysia Singapore College, Swaziland Mahindra United World College of India Nahal Zebarjadi-Sar Steven Katona Li Po Chun United World College, United World College of the Atlantic, Middlebury College Colby College Princeton University Australia President, College of the Atlantic Hong Kong Wales United World College–USA Wellesley College Wellesley College Adriana Qubaia Sujit Shrestha Sigrun Birta Vidarsdottir Princeton University Jordan Nepal Iceland Celene M. Lizzio Tsegts Narangerel United World College–USA Mahindra United World College of India Li Po Chun United World College, Chenying Zhang United States Mongolia Middlebury College Colby College Hong Kong China United World College–USA Mahindra United World College of India Middlebury College Li Po Chun United World College, Princeton University Middlebury College Vasumathi Raman Maris Skujevskis Hong Kong India Latvia Eirik Vikum Wellesley College Tiri Maha Julia Neubauer Mahindra United World College of India Red Cross Nordic United World College, Norway China Austria Wellesley College Norway Li Po Chun United World College, Jingjing Zhou United World College of the Atlantic, Mahindra United World College of India Colby College Hong Kong China Wales Princeton University Elisheva Rubin Middlebury College United World College–USA Middlebury College United States/Israel Pei Chieng Soh Colby College Minh Tu T. Nguyen United World College of the Atlantic, Malaysia Shamsher Virk Pardon Makumbe United States Wales Li Po Chun United World College, Canada Oded Zinger Zimbabwe Red Cross Nordic United World College, College of the Atlantic Hong Kong Lester B. Pearson United World College Israel United World College of the Atlantic, Norway Princeton University of the Pacific, Canada Lester B. Pearson United World College Wales Wellesley College College of the Atlantic of the Pacific, Canada Princeton University Princeton University

56 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 56 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 57 singing. In Kido’s home village of quips Matt. “When you’re in the Kintinku in central Tanzania, this is the middle of finals week, you call way schoolchildren start their day. In the spring of his the guys: ‘Let’s go sing!’ And then “We’d sing about beauty and you’re out there with your boys. daily life,” Kido says. “We’d sing freshman year, Kido and It’s amazing.” about the sun and the stars, and hope — just being proud of home. his American roommate “Twende Wote, Kule Kule” Just a celebration.” “The way we learn songs is by were running to catch up oral tradition,” explains John “It’s Amazing” Stokvis ’05. “You just show up In the spring of his freshman year, with a group of students and run — and as we run, we Kido and his American roommate on an outing. Their foot- learn.” were running to catch up with a And it’s beautiful, their singing: group of students on an outing. Their thumping rhythm brought robust and jubilant, infectious and foot-thumping rhythm brought Kido moving. On this night, one of the back home, and he began to sing. His Kido back home, and he songs the group sings is about a roommate demanded to know what big house, with room for a whole that was. Then he wanted to try it. began to sing. big family. A few of its words are The two gathered a group of these: their buddies. Kido taught them 3 Twende wote, kule kule “Anjelina,” a song about a beautiful (Let’s all go there), girl. They ran and sang. They loved it! Kule kwa Kinoga People who heard them did, too. The (To the house of Kinoga), next fall, as sophomores, the group A Joyful Noise Baba na Mama wanted to keep going. (Father and Mother) Mchakamchaka Builds a Unique New Campus Tradition “We had the idea to run at sunset,” Kido recalls. “Also we decided, since we’re on campus, we should Most of the original male members of mchakamchaka were run through some buildings and confuse people, singing in studying abroad this year, or had graduated. But as many as 20 t’s dark out, a weekday evening on the Middlebury night as the young men jog around Old Chapel, across the Swahili,” says Matthew Coons ’05. new underclassmen have joined. College campus. Ten underclassmen gather beneath a tree. green, and into a dorm. As they snake through the hallway, “We’d run into people’s rooms,” Kido adds. “If somebody The younger members are determined to keep the group Now they start jogging, and their footsteps fall together singing loud and right in time, they trail the wide smiles of I was feeling down, you’d go sing to make them feel better.” going after Kido graduates next year. in a chunky, catchy rhythm. In the midst of nine Americans fellow students looking on. The group ran regularly. They also did a concert, and they “The main thing is creating the tradition while he’s still is Yohanne “Kido” Kidolezi, a slender Davis UWC Scholar Everybody on the Middlebury campus knows performed in campus cultural shows, a church supper, and the here,” John says. “Learning about him, learning the songs, from Tanzania. To the pulsing of the footfalls, Kido sings the mchakamchaka. There are two groups now, a male and a female; local town hall talent show. They learned about 10 songs. Kido learning to lead. first phrase of a folksong from home; his friends sing out the they run late in the evening, as often as once a week. They are taught several to a new female mchakamchaka group. And the “The song is the essential part,” he adds. “But it’s all about response, in unison, in Swahili. a new, and surely a unique, college tradition. guys kept running. brotherhood.” Strong, jubilant call-and-response harmonies now fill the In Swahili, mchakamchaka means this activity of running and “Sometimes we call ourselves ‘Kido and the Caucasians,’”

58 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 58 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 59 Acknowledgments and Credits Private Philanthropy Supporting Many thanks, for all their assistance with this project, to the following people: Colby College: Linda L. Goldstein, assistant vice president for college relations, and director of corporate and foundation relations; Susan M. McDougal, associate dean of students; Brian Speer, International Understanding design director, Colby Communications; and Joanne A. Lafrenier, administrative assistant to the director of communications.

Through Education College of the Atlantic: Mary Katherine O’Brien, international student advisor.

Middlebury College: Mike Schoenfeld, dean of enrollment planning; Maggie Paine, director of communications; Shelley Glassner, director of college advancement administration; and Tonya rivate philanthropy can be transformative. Through or in the United World Colleges, we encourage you to do so. Roberts, assistant to the director of college advancement administration. the Davis United World College Scholars program, Your investment can help change the world. For assistance, Princeton University: Beth Lind, assistant to the president for capital projects; Lisa Burke, associate talented individual students and outstanding educational please contact: P director, Office of Development Communications; and Sharon Bresley, office assistant, Office of institutions are both being transformed by the philanthropic Development. investments of Shelby and Gale Davis. Their long-term goal Dr. Philip O. Geier is to create greater international understanding among future Davis United World College Scholars Program Wellesley College: Gail Jong, director for external relations, and Lynn Miles, director for leadership generations of the world’s decision-makers, by bringing together Montezuma, NM 87731 USA gifts and assistant vice president, Office for Resources. a growing number of promising students from diverse cultures and supporting their undergraduate educations at selected Tel: 505-454-4262 Photography: American colleges and universities. Fax: (505) 454-4275 pp. 5, 19, 20, 30, 32, and 52, Michael Sipe; pp. 13 and 14, Roshan Thomas; If you are inclined to invest your own philanthropy in a Email: [email protected] pp. 16 and 28, Fred J. Field; pp. 22 and 36, Michael Lutch; p. 25, Kevin Birch; college or university of your choice, in the program shown here, p. 26, Denise Applewhite; p. 34, Noreen Hogan. Or visit: www.uwc-usa.org Photographs on pp. 39-49: College of the Atlantic senior portraits by Bob Noonan; Colby College senior portraits by Fred J. Field; Middlebury College senior portraits by Tad Merrick; Princeton University senior portraits by Ross Stout; Wellesley College senior portraits by Michael Lutch.

Writing: Doug Wilhelm, Rutland, Vermont. Design: Tina Christensen, Christensen Design, Burlington, Vermont. Conceptual and Editorial Advising: Amy Geier, UWC-USA.

60 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 60 Davis United World College Scholars PROGRAM

Montezuma, NM 87731 USA phone: 505 454-4262 fax: 505 454-4275 www.uwc-usa.org

62 2004 Davis United World College Scholars 62