Volunteering in distant lands
College chooses Minerva Fellows for 2010-2011 school year
Aviva Hope Rutkin and Tess Skoller
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: News
Many graduating seniors dream to travel to a foreign country after college in order to work with a non-profit agency in a developing country; however, making it a reality is not always possible. Nevertheless, the highly competitive Minerva Fellow program offered by Union College helps to make this dream a reality for seven students.
The seven Minerva Fellows which are chosen each year undergo an extremely selective process by a selection committee. Once selected, Minerva Fellows receive a "scholarship to devote eleven months to working with a social entrepreneurial organization in a developing country and to educating Union College students upon their return."
It has been a long wait for students who applied for the fellowship during the fall term, however the wait has finally paid off for seniors are Jeremy Fritzhand, Allie Cuozzo, Nikhil Kothari, Rahde Franke, Sarah Yergeau, Elizabeth Osborne, Kath Murphy, and Rachael Carson.
There was a small decrease in applications for Minerva Fellow spots this year. However, Dean of Minerva Programs Thomas McEvoy believes this is a sign that students are taking the program seriously.
When asked what qualities that the school looks for in prospective Fellows, McEvoy cited persistence, independence, creative thinking, and a proactive attitude. He also said that as the program has grown and developed, they have learned to look for physical agility and an ability to degree with a degree of isolation.
"It may be days before you see a Westerner or someone who speaks English," he explained.
In order to prepare for their fellowship, the seven students begin their duties by taking a required social entrepreneurship course during spring term. Following graduation, students will report to their locations in the middle of July.
"I've always known that I wanted to do something that was meaningful and would make a difference," said Yergeu. "It's such a great opportunity that Union offers, and it allows you to stay connected with the Union community."
The seven Minerva Fellows which are chosen each year undergo an extremely selective process by a selection committee. Once selected, Minerva Fellows receive a "scholarship to devote eleven months to working with a social entrepreneurial organization in a developing country and to educating Union College students upon their return."
It has been a long wait for students who applied for the fellowship during the fall term, however the wait has finally paid off for seniors are Jeremy Fritzhand, Allie Cuozzo, Nikhil Kothari, Rahde Franke, Sarah Yergeau, Elizabeth Osborne, Kath Murphy, and Rachael Carson.
There was a small decrease in applications for Minerva Fellow spots this year. However, Dean of Minerva Programs Thomas McEvoy believes this is a sign that students are taking the program seriously.
When asked what qualities that the school looks for in prospective Fellows, McEvoy cited persistence, independence, creative thinking, and a proactive attitude. He also said that as the program has grown and developed, they have learned to look for physical agility and an ability to degree with a degree of isolation.
"It may be days before you see a Westerner or someone who speaks English," he explained.
In order to prepare for their fellowship, the seven students begin their duties by taking a required social entrepreneurship course during spring term. Following graduation, students will report to their locations in the middle of July.
"I've always known that I wanted to do something that was meaningful and would make a difference," said Yergeu. "It's such a great opportunity that Union offers, and it allows you to stay connected with the Union community."
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