MACKENZIE GRAPES
Drexel University, B.A., International Area Studies, concentration in Justice and Human Rights

While at Drexel University, Mackenzie focused on international area studies, an interdisciplinary field that enabled her to explore topics abroad in Guatemala, Spain, and Equatorial Guinea. After finishing her undergraduate degree, she returned to Madrid, Spain, where she taught English in a bilingual primary school through the Spanish Ministry of Education. Mackenzie later spent seven months living in small Mayan village nestled in the Guatemalan highlands. While there, she managed an eco-hostel/hotel and worked as a volunteer educator teaching English to female staff members of a local nonprofit. Mackenzie now works for the Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, an academic partnership between Drexel University and the National University of Equatorial Guinea on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Her unique role as Education and Outreach Coordinator allows for her to enrich the lives of students, both local and foreign, by engaging them in tropical biodiversity and conservation efforts on the island. In addition to traveling, she enjoys running, scuba-diving, playing guitar, dancing, reading, and spending time with her 13 nieces and nephews. Mackenzie is fluent in Spanish.

SIERRA NOLAND
Washington and Lee, B.A., Sociology and Anthropology

While at Washington and Lee, Sierra focused her studies on international poverty and inequality. After her first year, she traveled to Ecuador with a microfinance organization to manage various loan projects aiding marginalized groups. Later in her undergraduate studies, she undertook extensive ethnographic fieldwork in India and Nepal for her honors thesis, which focused on migration and social networks among low-caste families. Having seen such a great need during her research, Sierra wanted to shift her energy after graduation to more explicitly philanthropic work. She returned to India and started a grassroots organization with the family she worked most closely with during her thesis research. Since then, she has been growing the organization and helping to create employment and education for members of the community. Sierra is also passionate about mental health and wellness. She works as a yoga instructor in Santa Barbara, California, teaching mindfulness and stress management. She is proficient in both Spanish and Hindi, having spent over three months traveling and working in Central and South America, and over a year in South Asia.

NATALIE GONZÁLEZ
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, B.F.A., Studio Art

While at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Natalie focused on sculpture, photography, and ceramics. After graduating, she worked in wood, metal, and digital fabrication studios helping students make their dream sculptures. She recently spent a year in Oaxaca, Mexico, learning about and promoting artisan-made textiles, ceramics, and leatherwork. After the 2017 earthquake in Oaxaca, Natalie volunteered as an art instructor to serve children in the deeply affected community of Unión Hidalgo, Oaxaca. Natalie now works as a freelance designer, helping to promote others’ products and create beautiful furniture. Natalie is fluent in Spanish and proficient in Italian. This fall, Natalie will be moving back to her hometown of La Paz, Mexico, to be near the ocean and set up her own wood shop.

MEGAN O’HARA
Michigan State University, B.S., Zoology and Spanish

While at Michigan State University, Megan studied evolutionary, ecological, and organismal zoology with an emphasis on the behavior of African mammals. She also lived in Valencia, Spain, where she studied biology in Spanish and taught English to youth. As a wildlife biologist for the National Park Service, she lived on an isolated island in Lake Michigan to monitor the critically endangered piping plover shorebird population. Megan is currently an eco-tourism guide in both Hawaii and Alaska, where she works to encourage conservation-minded lifestyle choices, educates tourists about marine ecosystems, and volunteers to restore native plants. Megan loves spending time among whales, glaciers, and coral reefs. This fall, Megan will be returning to Maui to continue working as a rappel guide and a marine naturalist for the humpback whale watching season. Last year she led a student travel program in Alaska with National Geographic Student Expeditions.

CHRISTOPHER BORGES
University of Wisconsin, Madison, B.A., Psychology, B.A., Spanish

While at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Chris focused on Spanish and the psychology of language learning, spending time in Seville, Spain, and working in the MacDonald Language and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. He spent three consecutive summers working in the kitchen of a local Central American restaurant, learning colloquialisms from the region and deepening his love of the cuisine. After graduating with honors, Chris remained in Madison working for a healthcare IT company, spending the last two years coordinating development projects for customers in Finland, Denmark, Norway, and Singapore. Outside of work, he is pursuing his passion as a DJ and spends time coaching a youth lacrosse team. He is a fluent Spanish speaker, having attended a Spanish immersion school through the 6th grade and continuing his studies through university. This fall Chris will be moving to Nashville, Tennessee, to continue his work in the healthcare IT field.

FERNANDO ZARATE
Universidad Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Tourism Business Administration

While earning his business administration degree in tourism, Fernando worked as a counselor and director in summer and school camps. After graduation, he continued this work with companies and organizations, leading ropes courses and facilitating corporate team building exercises. He was also an instructor and leader for Outward Bound Mexico and guided adventure tours. Fernando has traveled through and lived in parts of Europe, the U.S., and Canada, as well as Uruguay, during which time he learned about and participated in projects related to permaculture, eco-building, and sustainable communities. In all, he has been to 17 countries around the world. Outside of his professional life, Fernando loves cuisine, dances salsa, participates in adventure sports, rides horses, and likes to hike and be outdoors. Currently he is director of Rise Now, an organization that works with rural and indigenous communities in Mexico, developing academic programs and recreational spaces for the communities and their families. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and is proficient in Portuguese and French. This fall Fernando will continue his work developing projects with rural communities, focusing especially on the youth population.

ABIGAIL GALLUP
Wheaton College, B.A., Anthropology

While at Wheaton College, Abigail focused on social and cultural anthropology, human ecology, and community development. She worked with a team of anthropologists learning from groups of people who live on the fringes of national parks in the southern highlands of Tanzania, and has spent time partnering with organizations in Honduras, Guatemala, and Colombia on applied research projects targeting human flourishing and cultural resilience. When she’s not on the road, Abigail can be found frolicking around her family’s farm in Illinois, reading National Geographic, memorizing poetry, and supporting families as a doula. Abigail is passionate about sharing her love of the human journey with students, and is thrilled to step into a role that honors storytelling and exploration as tools for education and conduits of real change. She is proficient in Spanish and conversational in Swahili. This fall, Abigail will be moving to the High Desert of California to begin a year-long fellowship as a Rural Community Designer with Blue Sky Center.