Makayla
My name is Makayla Dearborn and I am an upcoming junior at Syracuse University. I’m currently a dual major in Biology and Policy Studies while studying on the pre-medical tract. I hope to one day become a pediatrician and work with Doctors Without Borders or a similar program. On our trip, I am most looking forward to build relationships with the community members and grow as an individual.
Jessie
Hi! My name is Jessie Ringiewicz. I just finished my junior year at Syracuse where I’m studying psychology and nutrition. I’m going on the trip because I’ve always felt I would spend my life helping others to improve theirs. Also, after studying abroad in the fall, I couldn’t be more excited to continue traveling and seeing new places!
Olivia
My name is Olivia Sage and I am a senior at Syracuse University studying public health and anthropology. Having attended an international boarding school and studied abroad in France for five months, I have always had an intense interest in my global community. Through my work with Nourish, I hope to make an impactful difference within the communities we are serving and to positively benefit all individuals that we come in contact with. It is my goal as an intern to make positive connections with our partners and to provide valuable information that can be utilized throughout the community we are working with for years to come. Lastly, I am greatly looking forward to what this summer and all Nourish projects will accomplish in the future!
Kelsey
Hi my name is Kelsey Modica, and I recently graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and French & Francophone Studies. Throughout my studies, I focused on Africa and the Middle East, so I am ecstatic to travel to Uganda and experience the culture firsthand. What I love about Nourish is that they partner with local organizations to determine what the community needs to ensure sustainability. This is the main reason I wanted to get involved in Nourish and become an intern. So much time and planning has gone into making this project possible, and I cannot wait to begin!
Karla
My name is Karla Vera and I was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am currently dual majoring in Political Science and International Relations in Syracuse University. Growing up my passion has always been to help others. My grandfather established a rehabilitation home in Puerto Rico to help former drug addicts become sustainable and independent people once again. Ever since I was little I would go with him to the home to help him help others as a job and passion. Therefore I’ve always lived helping other people become more sustainable depending on their surroundings, encounters, and obstacles. I have also gone on several volunteer work trips in the Dominican Republic, Paraguay, and Argentina to name a few. I joined Nourish International in college because I knew that I needed to be a part of something that reminded me of who I was, especially since I’m living so far away from home and cannot go on as many volunteer work trips because of school. As soon as I joined I had the honor of being appointed as one of the heads of campus awareness, and realized that I needed to go on the trip in order to not only talk about it, but also feel like I’m physically contributing to the many projects that we will be working on. My mission is not only to help these people become more sustainable, but also to gain vision, experience, and inspiration as a future politician, legislator or diplomat. I want to become an ethical one, and I know that these experiences will teach me what ethics, justice, and life are all about.
Allie
Hello! My name is Alexandra Schmidt and I am currently a double major in Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management studying Supply Chain and Management. Prior to transferring to Syracuse University this past year I attended SUNY Broome Community College where I earned my Associates Degree in Business Administration. Being a transfer student it was important for me to get involved in something I was passionate about and that’s when I found out about Nourish International. I have always had a strong passion for community service and had the opportunity to experience it on a global scale by traveling to Haiti for a trip focused on initiatives similar to that Nourish emphasizes, and later had the chance to participate in volunteer work while studying abroad in Italy. Having the opportunity to work with people in other countries was an incredible experience because it shows that no matter how different people are that we can all work together to achieve a common goal to help others. Joining Nourish International not only allowed my to find my niche at the school and get the chance to meet amazing people, but it also opened my eyes to the possible career opportunities available focused on this type of work. I had never really thought that I could form a career path doing what I love most and helping people for a living, but Nourish helped e realize that it is possible. After completing my Bachelor’s Degree at SU I plan on furthering my education by earning a Master’s Degree in a field such as International Development in order to develop a career focused on sustainability and global responsibility. I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity for the chance to help our partner communities become more sustainable, as well as the development I will experience on a personal level.
Brad
Hi, my name’s Brad White and I’m from Buffalo, NY, known for chicken wings and endless winters. I study international Relations and Political Science at Syracuse University, concentrating on Africa and International Political Economy. Ideally, I’d like to get into development and my dream job would be working for the State Department as a Foreign Officer, assisting developing nations develop, or at least that’s my dream job now. This internship is Uganda is exactly what I’d like to do after I graduate and the main reason I decided to do this but it also has a lot to do with the Nourish approach that focuses more on working in solidarity with locals than imposing our own projects. I can’t wait to get to work and build an amazing experience with my lovely interns and amazing Ugandans, and make a lasting difference in the world.
Lynsey
Hi, my name is Lynsey and I just finished my sophomore year as an International Relations major and Management Studies minor at Syracuse University. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, I can usually be found performing as part of a musical organization and simultaneously cheering on our sports teams, swimming, or reading almost anything. I have been a part of Nourish as a general body member since our chapter first started last year and am happy to be able to take a more active role as an intern on our project in Uganda this summer. As an avid traveler, I am so excited to be working on our project this year not only to see a new part of the world, but also to learn from, partner with, and experience a different culture and community. We, with our chapter, have been working together for many months to make this project successful and I can’t wait to put our preparations into action!