Name: Jessica Bachansingh

Major: Retail Merchandising and Product Development

Agency: Elpis International

Social issue: Empowering girls, education, economic development

Location of service: Awasa, Ethiopia

Year: Sophomore

What would you tell others who were thinking of applying for the Moellership program? Pick a nonprofit that strongly aligns with your own views and values. It is also imperative to pick one that relates to your studies and/or future aspirations.

What are you looking forward to the most this summer? Staying for an entire 4 weeks, because in the past when I’ve stayed for a week, my teaching was rushed and I didn’t get to engage with all of the girls.

How did you first get involved with your service? I worked with the CEO of another nonprofit, Love for Ethiopia, to develop the idea to start a sewing program in the school. The whole idea was for my Girl Scout Gold Award project my senior year of high school.

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: I want to work in the philanthropic and ethical side of the fashion industry to promote fashion items with a cause and when purchased, will directly support someone who made the it.

My long term goal is to solidify this program, but then to take this sewing curriculum to other schools around the world and teach them how to sew different items. Then I will have my nonprofit, “Gifts for Confidence” that will be the umbrella brand for all these products, with all the proceeds going back into sustaining the programs and paying the sewing girls.

But before I take on this sewing nonprofit, I want to work for a similar cause-driven "give back" company after graduation. I plan to learn all about successful social entrepreneurship from them.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Receiving my Girl Scout Gold Award. If I hadn't "Gone for Gold" and pursued such an out-of-the-box international project, I wouldn't be a part of the Moellership Program today.

What is something that you wish you could take with you on your trip and why? Data. Having access to social media, and the internet can be very helpful when teaching, but ultimately it will teach me to truly live my life in simplicity and will allow me to have a more engaging experience with the culture and the people.

Who or what has been the most inspirational thing in your life so far? How? Gandhi’s quote, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I am trying to help be an agent of change for these impoverished girls in Ethiopia. I am trying to make a difference to help them prosper and grow, but to help them help themselves.

Name: Barbara Christakis

Major: Medicine

Agency: Amurtel Greece

Social issue: Refugee relief and women's health

Location of service: Chalkis, Greece

Year: First Year Medical Student

What would you tell others who were thinking of applying for the Moellership program? If you are passionate about an issue do not hesitate to become involved. It can seem intimidating at first, but once you find an organization that shares your passion and vision, you will be amazed at how simple it can be creating a project you really care about.

What are you looking forward to the most this summer?  Meeting people from cultures different than my own. Learning about their cultures and listening to their stories will be an amazing opportunity to broaden my world view and better understand the challenges facing female refugees.

How did you first get involved with your service? I knew for a while that I wanted to provide service to the refugee population in Greece. My family is Greek-American, and I had been following the refugee situation in Greece over the past few years. I found an organization that shared my passion for serving this population, with specific programs aimed at serving women. 

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: To work in a primary care specialty and incorporate service into my practice of medicine, both locally and globally, with an emphasis on women's health.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Moving to Spain on my own to teach English before starting medical school. 

What is something that you wish you could take with you on your trip and why? My book collection! I really enjoy reading in my free time and I can never narrow down which books to bring when traveling.

Who or what has been the most inspirational thing in your life so far? How? The stories of refugees, such as those I'll be serving, who have overcome such adversity and faced endless challenges. It's a humbling reminder of my own privilege and a constant reminder not to take for granted the advantages I've had in my own life. It also serves as a reminder that despite the struggles these women have faced, they have shown such inspiring resilience and perseverance that I often look to in admiration.

Name: William Dewar

Major: International Affairs

Agency: Women's Microfinance Initiative

Social issue: Economic Development/Gender Equality

Location of service: Buyobo, Uganda

Year: Sophomore

What would you tell others who are thinking of applying for the Moellership program? Look for an opportunity that you are truly passionate about, be creative. By finding a project that aligns with your interests and genuinely speaks to you, the seemingly daunting project proposal will be a breeze. 

What are you looking forward to the most this summer? Making an impact. Any positive contribution that I personally can have on this amazing work is what excites me most about this summer. 

How did you first get involved with your service? In 2010, I organized an emergency supplies collection to assist relief efforts in response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti My associates and I ended up with an excess amount of supplies with more stuff than Red Cross could take. I came across a recently founded local organization that had the purpose of providing medical aid to Haiti. I emailed them about my supplies; they invited me to their meeting and the next thing I knew I was on a plane to Haiti as an assistant on a medical relief team. 

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans:  I am strongly considering pursuing a master’s degree in International Development directly out of undergrad. Long term, I envision myself working to promote/facilitate community-based investment throughout the developing world whether that is on the policy or private side of things. 

What is your proudest accomplishment? My work with the Tallahassee-Haiti Medical Team for which I currently serve as the administrative director. Since starting with the group I have been able to provide a first-hand contribution to our organization's work which has included sending 25 medical teams to Haiti, providing 14,700+ patient visits to over 5,000 unique patients and establishing clean water and orphanage support programs.

What is something that you wish you could take with you on your trip and why? If it was somehow possible for me to bring along a Chipotle and a gym, I would be more than overjoyed.  

Who or what has been the most inspirational thing in your life so far? How? My first trip to Haiti.  Not only did this experience dictate the educational and life path I have chosen but it also helped me realize the extreme privilege afforded to me as an individual growing up in a developed country. Becoming familiar with this reality has and continues to motivate me to be successful throughout all aspects of my life. The idea that I must take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to me, considering so many others aren't as lucky, is central to my personal philosophy.  

Name: Jeongmin Lee

Major: Education Policy/International Development Education

Agency: Save the Children/ Machiga Teacher College in Malawi

Social issue: Psychosocial support for children and teacher education

Location of service: Malawi. Africa

Year: Senior

What would you tell others who were thinking of applying for the Moellership program? Prepare thoroughly, and be persistent until you receive it!

What are you looking forward to the most this summer? Administering my field study in Zomba, Malawi to see the current state of teachers' understanding of Malawi's Life Skills curriculum.

How did you first get involved with your service? Through my research project with Save the Children, International. We conducted a small-scale research study on a psychosocial support program for young children in Malawi in 2016 and I learned that teachers were having a difficult time implementing it in a classroom setting, which inspired me to apply to the Moellership program so that I can work with teachers to see better ways to teach.

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: To work in a research institution that promotes quality child education in low income countries.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Having worked with different organizations in the area of children's education, from large-scale research projects to small scale ones, in various countries in Africa and published journal articles based on these projects during graduate school.

What is something that you wish you could take with you on your trip and why? Electricity generators. In Malawi, blackouts occur almost daily. And, Jalapeño chilies!

Who or what has been the most inspirational thing in your life so far? How? My living and working experience in different countries & continents including Korea, Japan, China, Australia, Kenya, Zombia, Mozambique, and Malawi.

Name: Paulina Sicius

Major: Creative Writing

Agency: Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation and PeaceJam

Social issue: Youth Development

Location of service:Guatemala City, Guatemala

Year: Senior

What would you tell others who were thinking of applying for the Moellership program? Think about your experiences and your passions. Where is that intersection and how can you serve a community with these two things at the forefront of your mind? By answering these two questions, you can create a project that will most benefit the community that you will be serving.

What are you looking forward to the most this summer? Working with youth, in a different country and in a completely different context, and learning about their experiences and their potential to create positive change in their world.

How did you first get involved with your service? I became involved with PeaceJam my first semester at Florida State and since then it has been the most trivial part of my college experience, through the mentoring and coaching program.

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: To pursue a PhD in English and continue with some form of teaching, preferably English at both a university level and for under-served communities.

What is your proudest accomplishment? Receiving the Moellership is up there, but also reaching a place where I am proud and confident in myself, the opportunities that I have taken, and my past and future experiences.

What is something that you wish you could take with you on your trip and why? I wish I could take my sister, Lucia, because she is my partner-in-life and it would be incredible to share this experience with her.

Who or what has been the most inspirational thing in your life so far? How? My parents, as they have created a life for me where I can thrive. Through their own accomplishments and life stories, they have motivated me to be the best version of myself and to have a deep love for life.

Wrojensky Andre

Major: Economics, Philosophy, and Marketing

Year in school: Junior

Moellership agency: Deep Jyoti

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans:Pursue my master's in economics and in political philosophy for an in-depth understanding of how political and economic institutions relate to well-being, prosperity, health, education, income, and more.

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?In fall 2015, I was working with Deep Jyoti on a social entrepreneurship project to help sustain the organization and make it more independent. One of my mentors at FSU, Associate Director Latika Young, informed me on how I could go in-depth with my project by doing research on its impact, as well as volunteering again with the organization. I took her advice and applied.

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Jackie Bucheck

Major: Urban and Regional Planning

Year in school: Second year graduate student

Moellership agency: World Wildlife Fund Cambodia

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans:

I hope to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a visual communication and analysis tool to promote global environmental conservation and social/economic equity.

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?

I applied for the Moellership program in order to fund a service experience that is directly related to my career goals. I will be using GIS and InVEST software as part of an ongoing effort to protect the environmental and social aspects of the Eastern Plains Landscape in Cambodia.

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Alexandra Duprey

Major: Environmental studies with a minor in urban planning

Year in school: Third year

Moellership agency: EduCARE India

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: Attend graduate school for urban and regional planning with a focus on environmentally sustainable planning for developing countries. One day I hope to work with an international entity like the United Nations on creating inexpensive, environmentally friendly housing or cities for peoples in low socioeconomic areas around the world.

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?

I believe that this is an incredible opportunity to learn more about the career I’m following and to see where there is a place for me to create effective change in the sustainable development field.

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Kathryn Kelley

Major:  Engineering/ Graduate School in GIS

Year in school: Super Senior

Moellership agency: South Africa Shark Conservancy

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans:

Work as a researcher on biodiversity, endangered species, or climate change.

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?

I applied for the Moellership program because I saw an opportunity to invest in my future. This project will help me gain experience in research and tracking. It will also allow me to share what I know and will learn with new people, thus spreading pivotal information to inspire the next generation of conservationist.

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Anesu Makina

Major: Geography

Year in school: PhD in Geography

Moellership agency: Habitat for Humanity in Tallahassee

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: A combination of academic, research, and policy oriented work

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?

I wanted to spend the summer engaging with topical issues that are confronting society, and I was really drawn to the idea of a summer of service.

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Brian Menard

Major: Psychology

Year in school: Junior

Moellership agency: SeriousFun Children’s Network

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans: Earning a Master’s degree in higher education and student affairs is the next step. We’ll see where things go from there.

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?

I applied for the Moellership Program because of my love for the SeriousFun Children’s Network and for service in general. I wanted an experience that would allow me to combine the two and leave a greater impact on an issue I’m passionate about.

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Kim Reid

Major: International and Comparative Education, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Year in school: 20

Moellership agency: The Village Bicycle Project

Career goal(s)/post-graduation plans:

To support experiential education programming in international development in the non-profit sector

Why did you apply for the Moellership Program?  

For the chance to continue my work with VBP, to return to work for an organization I believe in and have experience with, and to travel and gain additional experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa

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Emily Singer

Toby Davine

Amanda Schell

Emily Janas

Vivianne Asturizaga

Tara Catanach

Paige Blair

Lauren Stuart

Maya Callender

Alexandra Olsen

Jennifer Ranes

Tiffany Song

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Carlos Odria

Agency: Arena y Esteras and Hipolito Unanue Middle and High School
Location: Villa el Salvador, Peru
Major: Musicology

Madison Marks

Agency: World Relief
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Major: Middle Eastern Studies

Kaitlyn Delaney

Agency: Chalkboard Project
Location: Portland, Oregon
Major: Elementary Education

Ryan Howard

Agency: FSU Cares
Location: Filipina, Panama
Major: Medicine

Taylor Adams

Agency: Cambodian Children Against Starvation and Violence Association (CCASVA)
Location: Phnom Phen, Cambodia
Major: Economics and Psychology

Sarah Almcrantz

Agency: Institute for Field Research Expeditions: Veterinary Volunteer
Location: Quito, Ecuador
Major: Biology and Environmental Science

Alison Giest

Agency: Iracambi
Location: Minas Gerais, Brazil
Major: Geography and International Affairs

Maggie Hodges

Agency: The Real Uganda
Location: Mokono, Uganda
Major: English and International Affairs

Ron Krudo

Agency: Zion Orphanage, Inc.
Location: Jerusalem, Isreal
Major: Political and International Affairs

Ruth Krug

Agency: Miracle Mission School and Global Peace Exchange
Location: Faridabad, India
Major: International Affairs

Katie Longardner

Agency: BASIDA
Location: Aranjuez, Spain
Major: Medicine

Carly Rodriguez

Agency: Real Hope for Haiti
Location: Cazale, Haiti
Agency: The Religious of Jesus and Mary
Location: Gros Morne, Haiti
Major: International Affairs and Pre-Nursing

Jaime Bayo

Agency: Civitas International Panama
Location: Panama City, Panama/
Major: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences
Reflection: http://jaimebayo.blogspot.com

Lee Gordon

Agency: Hananasif Orphanage Center (HOCET)
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Major: Civil Engineering
Reflection: http://chickensfortanzania.blogspot.com

Khadijah Gray

Agency: Centre Azrou
Location: Azrou, Morocco
Major: International Affairs
Reflection: "Upon my return, I think it will be quite challenging to get back into the routine of life in the States. Here, I am meeting so many new people from all over the world, having extraordinary conversations with them, and I think it will be very difficult for me to say good bye to them, and get back in the flow of life at Florida State."

Bambi Griffin

Agency: Proyecto Horizonte
Location: Uspha Uspha, Bolivia
Major: Master's in International Affairs
Reflection: "The culture and the people in Bolivia are amazing. Whilst working here I feel accepted and as if all that I do is appreciated and rewarding. Upon my return to the states I know that I will miss the culture, the people and seeing the impact on those less fortunate that my efforts can have."

Samantha Kelly

Agency: Fundacion Arte del Mundo
Location: Banos de Agua, Ecuador
Major: Creative Writing
Reflection: http://samkellychao.wordpress.com

Nick Russell

Agency: La Escuela Tejada
Location: Colobre, Ecuador
Major: Creative Writing
Reflection: http://calobreserviceship.wordpress.com

Claire Sipple

Agency: Arte e Vida and the Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP)
Location: Recife, Brazil
Major: International Affairs
Reflection: http://thetravelingclaire.blogspot.com

Dustin Daniels

Agency: Global Peace Exchange (GPE) working with Umuryango
Location: Gitarama, Rwanda
Major: International Affairs and Economics
Reflection: "It was quite refreshing to hear the enthusiasm of both the students and Rwandan volunteers. The service aspect of my project is probably the most important to me. By instilling a culture of serving among the university students, I hope to further enact change for many years to come, long after my project is finished."

Patience Kaysee

Agency: Youth Action International
Location: Monrovia, Liberia
Major: Political Science and International Affairs

Marie LeBlanc

Agency: Center for Cultural Exchange: Mom's Soup Kitchen
Location: Bueno's Aires, Argentina
Major: International Affairs and Spanish
Reflection: http://citizenmundial.blogspot.com

Krista Marham

Agency: Institute for Field Research Expeditions
Location: Capetown, South Africa
Major: Social Work
Reflection: http://www.travelblog.org/bloggers/kristamarkham

Danielle Reed

Agency: Olancho Aid Foundation
Location: Somoto, Nicaragua
Major: Elementary Education
Reflection: "If there is one thing I have learned here in Nicaragua it is that, You must be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi. I've seen a lot of change this summer; in my heart and in the hearts of others. How could I go home and never look back? I will always have this experience to remind me that service to our brothers and sisters is the best use of a life."

Erin Welch

Agency: Maryknoll Lay Missioners
Location: La Libertad, El Salvador
Major: Music Therapy
Reflection: http://ekc90w.wordpress.com

Brian Gordon

Agency: Association of Hole in the Wall Camps
Locations: Victory Junction - Randleman, NC

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - Ashford, Connecticut

The Painted Turtle - Lake Hughes
California
Double H Ranch - Lake Luzerne
New York
Barretstown - County Kildare
Ireland
Over the Wall - Havant, United Kingdom
Reflection: http://briangordon-summer2008.blogspot.com

Hilary O'Neil

Agency: Fare Share
Location: London, England
Reflection: http://www.whereshilary.blogspot.com

Sophia Khawly

Agency: Hope for Haiti's Children
Location: Haiti

Elizabeth Pagan

Agency: The Real Uganda
Location: Bluenga, Uganda
Reflection: http://bethpaganuganda2008.blogspot.com

Marlee McCleary

Agency: International Health Partners
Location: Nyakato, Tanzania

Krista Caballero

Agency: Association of Hole in the Wall Camps
Locations: Victory Junction - Randleman, North Carolina

Over the Wall - Havant, United Kingdom

Justin Maynard

Agency: Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity
Location: Calcutta, India

From left to right: Blake Draper, Justin Maynard, Micolette Perry, Jenna Linduff, Amanda Gonzalez, and Amy Cortese.

Justin Maynard

Agency: Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity
Location: Calcutta, India
Reflection: "I will never forget staring into the eyes of a dying man expressing my love for him after spending two months feeding him, cleaning him, clothing him, changing his wounds, massaging his feet, all the while basking in the rays of his grateful smile. Or taking a child up on the roof of an orphanage so he can enjoy one of the few sunsets he has left. I learned that LOVE is action, and that action is SERVICE."

Micolette Perry

Agency: Big Bend Homeless Coalition
Location: Tallahassee, Fl
Reflection: "The Summer Serviceship gave me the opportunity to give back to the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, an organization that gives so much to Tallahassee's homeless. I have learned a great deal from the staff and clients about the needs of the homeless population and was given the chance to help meet some of those needs and guide others in our community to meeting those needs as well."

Jenna Linduff

Agency: Children of the Nations
Location: Sierra Leone
Reflection: "I spent two months in Sierra Leone, West Africa working with the natives to provide a safer shelter for mothers and their malnourished babies. Through living among some of the poorest in one of the most corrupt countries with the highest infant mortality rate, I was challenged to make the most of every moment of every day. I learned sacrifice and service as well as learned how to function in a community lifestyle."

Blake Draper

Agency: Grace Mission Episcopal Church
Location: Tallahassee, Fl

Amy Cortese

Agency: Isaiah 55 Deaf Ministries
Location: Reynosa, Mexico

Amanda Gonzalez

Agency: BASIDA
Location: Anarjuez, Spain
Reflection: "Being in Spain for two months caring for individuals with HIV and AIDS, who would otherwise be alone with no one to care for them, was an experience I'll keep with me for as long as I live. I cannot say my Serviceship was the easiest thing I've ever done in my life, or the most glamorous, but I can say with certainty that it was the most rewarding, life-changing challenge I have ever been fortunate enough to have."