Our Students

Meet Farther Foundation’s 2023 class of student travelers. They have shared their experiences with us, and now, we share them with you in our annual yearbook, Reflections.

mission and vision

Too many students in and around Chicago live in communities defined by historic inequities, disinvestment, and lack of opportunities based on race, ethnicity, and other factors unrelated to their talents and aspirations.

Farther Foundation enables students to experience the wider world through educational travel. Our students become immersed in new cultures, provide community service, cultivate leadership potential and attain personal growth. Inspired by their experience, our program alumni return home with new skills, confidence, and enthusiasm—ready to take on new challenges in school and in life.

impact

100% of our alumni graduate from high school, 98% go on to college, and 87% graduate or remain on-track to graduate college.

Hayden

“This trip was an eye-opener. It made me appreciate the beauty of different cultures and the importance of preserving history, art, and traditions.”

Hayden traveled to France on a program that combined cultural immersion and conservation education.

Kara

“This was a great first solo travel experience that changed my perspective. I felt independent, made mature decisions, and figured things out by myself while maintaining relationships with my family and friends. I am no longer overwhelmed with the fear of moving to college or dealing with the responsibilities that come with it.”

Kara challenged herself academically and socially by attending a summer college program on the campus of Boston University.

Dayanara

“Three weeks of physical challenges began, we started off with exploring Oslo and white-water rafting in the Sjoa river, followed by a four-day backpacking expedition through snow, rain, and a terribly sprained ankle. The final day of backpacking came when the participants, already at our campsite, lined up and started cheering for me as I arrived an hour later, “we’re so proud of you Daya! You’ll do great things in life.” There was no bullying from any of the participants, my heart felt relieved. We continued on with mountain biking, rest days, more camping, kayaking, and finally exploring the beautiful city of Bergen.”

Dayenara traveled far from city life to participate in an adventure trip in Norway.

Alejandra

“It’s normal to have doubts at times, but if you’re constantly thinking negatively, then you’re holding yourself back from growing. So I broke out of my shell. I wasn’t alone, and I was never truly alone, to begin with. I had all of these what seemed like strangers come to help me of their own will, and after what seemed to be a while, I finally was able to leave my old mindset.”

Alejandra’s program took place in Costa Rica where she engaged in service work and experienced nature while battling through an ailment and some initial doubts.

Sophia

“I knew that in just a month, I had grown into a mature, thoughtful individual, with a renewed desire to protect and preserve nature after seeing firsthand the impact it has on communities and their cultures. I valued ecological processes and understood that disturbance of them could be threatening to wildlife and to us. Alaska taught me big-picture connections that I could not make in a classroom. I am extremely grateful to all those who made this opportunity possible because I learned about myself while making memories that will last a lifetime.”

Mateo

“My trip to Washington DC was highly transformative. As a recently naturalized US citizen, I saw history from a different view. Getting to study alongside some of the brightest students from around the world gave me confidence that I am just as qualified despite my distinct background. Furthermore, I grew academically through perseverance and learned much about government, both from the class and from the city. I am so grateful to the Farther Foundation for this opportunity to explore my education and go father!”

Melisa

“I went into the program thinking I wanted to go into nursing, and I left the program knowing it's what I want to pursue. Nursing is a profession that is not valued enough as it should be, and I believe that we need more POC in nursing. Working in the stimulation lab served as a way to see what working in the medical field felt like, and truly I loved it. Even though I was put in many high stress situations, it solidified my passion for wanting to pursue a career in the medical field. During the program I also learned it will be crucial to advocate for not only myself but, more importantly, my patients and it is important to speak up. So I challenged myself as an introvert to participate in class discussions more than I usually would.”

Melisa spent her summer at a pre-college nursing program at Adelphi University.

Yinnel

“After we got situated, we began our English lessons to the Thai kids. This was a challenge for me because I'm a very timid person and I had to take the role of a teacher, someone that has to speak out and is the grown up in the classroom. I had so much fun teaching them about animals and weather. We had to prepare material like games that could make them energetic so they would listen.”

Yinnel participated in a program in Thailand that combined service with cultural immersion.

christopher

"My swimming skills are pure survival, meaning I didn’t know how to actually consistently swim in the depths. Not knowing how to confidently swim caused me to lose out on a lot of fun at the start of the trip. I ended up facing my fear and risking it all in order to live a one in a lifetime experience. Once I got more comfortable in the water, I had the opportunity to swim through an entire rapid. I’m usually never scared of trying new things, but the thought of drowning and feeling helpless flooded my mind. I knew it was now or never. I wanted to leave after the first section, but I continued forward. I successfully went through all 3 sections of the rapid without drowning or doubting my abilities. You might think this isn’t anything life changing or major, but it was for me. It taught me many important things about myself I never knew. It taught me nothing is impossible unless you make it impossible. I learned how to take a leap of faith, I learned that risking it all comes with an invaluable reward. I can apply these major skills/lessons into my daily life, into my future.”

Christopher challenged himself in Costa Rica and learned valuable life lessons.

bethany

“When we arrived at the town Mollejones after our long trip I met everyone and introduced myself. Everyone was so heart warming that it kinda overwhelmed me. First I met a man named Misu, short for Misael. He guided us through the community work. Since I spoke Spanish we talked a lot. Throughout the first week he explained his life living in Costa Rica and similarities of our cultures. One of my favorite moments was when he had expressed how I reminded him of his family. How my complexion especially reminded him of his younger sister who he hadn't seen in years. It truly warmed my heart. He also made me realize how fortunate I was to meet him and everyone there.”

Bethany traveled to Costa Rica and participated in a program that combined community service and adventure.

Ronaldo

“I learned how to be more independent, prioritize my studies, and make time to have fun with friends. I made many friends from all different parts of the country and outside the USA. This also made me curious about studying abroad and how that experience can help me learn a new culture and become a better problem solver or be more well-rounded. I also learned to have an open mind about college, because even though a program is out of state, I can trust myself to be successful.”

Ronaldo had an eye-opening experience on the campus of Emory University

annette

“As we touched down in Rome, I was immediately captivated by the vibrant way of life, the culinary delights, and the remarkable cityscape that surrounded me. Each excursion I embarked on during my time there offered a unique perspective on the country, delving into the rich history and purpose of Rome, which added an extra layer of fascination to the trip. Among all the remarkable places I visited, Vatican City stood out as a personal favorite. The fountains there were unlike anything I had ever seen before, and the city's ancient landscape, steeped in history, exuded a timeless beauty that left me in awe. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have experienced all of this.”

hadiya

“I felt especially connected to the amount of Islamic history that was portrayed in Andalusia. Since Seville, Granada, and Cadiz were cities near Morocco, there was a significant amount of Islamic influence upon them. Being a Muslim, I was amazed at the mark Islam made in different parts of the world, which was extremely special to me. Walking down the streets, I saw people who looked like me, and who shared the same culture and beliefs as me, which was such an amazing feeling.”

Ililli

"I officially hated Morocco and was counting down the days until I went home. As the days went by I felt more and more sticky from the heat and homesick. In week two I was still counting down the days but I began to form bonds with my peers. We started sharing all our struggles and hardships together. From issues with our home-stay bathrooms, to bugs everywhere and funny communications with our homestay families that spoke little to no English. Yet now that I look back at it, those were some of the fondest memories I have. As we entered week 3, I began to realize I built a family in Morocco. As a person, I grew immensely abroad."

Stephanie

“I am grateful for the people on the trip because we're all so different but we just worked together. We created strong bonds and by the end of the trip I felt like we were all a family. Learning about each other and learning about how different our backgrounds are really made us closer. I enjoyed their presence so much I never felt scared to be who I am.”

Stephanie participated in a program that combined outdoor adventure, community service and cultural exploration in Hawaii.

Yeili

“Growing up my mom worked all the time and I never had my father present. I had no one to teach me how to ride a bike. So hearing that we were going to bike around Chiang Mai made me nervous. Everyone went biking and one of the leaders stayed there just to teach me how to ride a bike. Every time I almost fell I wanted to give up but I didn’t. With the help of the leader and his patience, I finally know how to ride a bike. A lesson I learned from that experience is to not give up when something doesn’t come out the first time. I was about to fall from the bike like fifty times but I didn’t give up. From every failed attempt I learned something new.”

Yeili traveled to Thailand on a program that combined service with cultural immersion.

Rosa

“On this trip I learned how to be independent, and I got over so many fears. I felt like I was free. I learned how to surf, something I never thought I would do, I went ziplining although I’m terrified of heights. This is my path. I want to do things for myself, and I know that no matter what I choose to do, my family will be there for me. They supported my choice of leaving them for two weeks and became really proud of who I had become.”

Rosa was initially reluctant to venture away from home and family, but took the bold leap to travel to Costa Rica.

Juan

“The growth I experienced on my expedition to Spain was a life altering one, beyond anything I've ever experienced. Initially I was worried about what was to come. I now find myself even more ambitious to do good in school while helping and giving back to my community. The experiences, the people we meet, the life lessons we live, carve out the true character of a person.”

Selah

“Toward the end of my first week in New York, my Introduction to Human Rights class traveled to the headquarters of the United Nations. When I believed the tour to be over, my peers and I, along with our teacher and tour guide gathered in a circle for final remarks and questions; then the dam broke — the Kakova dam, located in southern, Russian-occupied Ukraine. Not only did this cause a humanitarian crisis that harmed nearby infrastructure and civilians, but it also gave Russia a military advantage– the bridge destruction would be a hindrance to Ukrainian soldiers, and now nothing existed to cool the nuclear reactors from the nearby site. I watched in awe as the environment in the building transitioned from calm to buzzing with action: The United Nations Security Council was called to meet, and delegates would have to arrive in three hours. Before my eyes, I watched the United Nations act for the cause it was created for, to ensure peace around the globe– my textbook and newspaper readings had come to life.”

Kingsley

“We met some other students who were playing card games and ping pong. They let us join in their game, and it was really fun getting to know them because they were from various other countries. For example, one was from Korea, China, Morocco, Dubai, and various other places. It was very interesting to talk to them and get to know about them and where they’re from.”

Toluwanimi

“The small class size of 12 allowed for meaningful interactions with my professor and fellow students. These discussions not only clarified complex concepts like what happens in the hypothalamus when you have a fever but also encouraged critical thinking and the exploration of novel ideas. Whether it was a debate on the ethics of neuroenhancement or a discussion on the latest breakthroughs in neuroimaging, every day in the classroom was a stimulating intellectual adventure.”

Toluwanimi challenged herself academically at Brown University.

London

“During this week of service, I celebrated my birthday. I was nervous about going on this trip at first because it would be during my birthday and I had never been away from home before, especially not out of the country. However, they made the experience great by giving me all of the things that a typical little girl would have for her birthday: a pinata, cake, ice cream, balloons, etc. I will forever remember this birthday.”

London spent her birthday in Costa Rica on a program that included service, adventure and cultural immersion.

Cecily

“I remember my very first day of classes. I was greeted by myriad people and experiences. People from California, Washington D.C., Canada, and even Kenya. I had never found myself in such a diverse law or politics class in my life. Everyone went around and introduced themselves by saying their name and why they took this class. It was fascinating to hear such different perspectives on the law and why they wanted to pursue it. Being in a class with so many different perspectives, experiences, and cultures was so fulfilling. Before class started every day we would talk about where we were from, joke around, and speak in different languages.”

Cecily had a pre-college experience on the campus of Brown University.

Chrystal

“The idea of taking a college-level class was incredibly scary and nerve-racking. My original thought was that I wouldn’t be smart enough for these classes. That thought was quickly erased when I actually started my Abnormal Psychology and Philosophy classes. My professors were down-to-earth and flexible with the topics we learned. Abnormal Psychology quickly became my favorite class. I enjoyed learning about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for many mental and emotional disorders. My career goal is to be a counseling psychologist so Abnormal Psychology was very important to me.”

Chrystal received a head start on college opportunities and challenges by attending a summer session at Boston University.

dafne

"I do believe that this program has altered the way I view college. I believe that I am extremely capable of living far from my family and having a wider range of experiences than just my hometown and ethnicity. I've learned at Emory University that although things will first be incredibly different, you will eventually be able to adjust and even enjoy it. I think I'm more ready for college and have the tools I need to get into my dream college.”

Dafne had an eye-opening experience during her time on campus at Emory University.

trista

“Before attending my summer program, I had a lot of unanswered questions regarding college and my future in general. I didn’t know for sure what I wanted to major in, if I wanted to stay close to home, what type of school I wanted to attend, etc. I was also super scared to be completely independent in a state away from everything and everyone I’ve every known, all while focusing on college level academics and expectations as well. After the 1st day, I knew I’d love it. This program took the meaning of sisterhood to a totally different level. It was something about being around other black women that was just empowering. Prior to this experience I told myself that I didn’t need to attend an HBCU, because I am black and will find these spaces and communities for me no matter where I go. Although that may be true, the HBCU experience is like no other.”

Trista had a clarifying experience at Spelman College.

Romel

“Being able to go through this experience truly gave me an insight into what college life is like especially away from home. I was pleasantly surprised with everything ranging from the dining halls to small things such as dorm showers and views around Columbus. The class in which I studied also provided me with information into what I truly want to study in college and has led me to personal growth socially and academically.”

Romel took home many positive lessons from his time on campus at Ohio State University.

emma

“Attending the Medical School Intensive summer program at Johns Hopkins University was an amazing experience. Between the lectures, labs, and the people I met, this was definitely one of my favorite summers. I became chronically ill almost three years ago, so I have gotten very used to all the doctor’s appointments, the process of blood draws, and the sound of scanning machines. That said, this is the first time I was able to see myself on the other side of that. I became the doctor instead of the patient, and I think that’s one of the things that made this experience carry so much depth for me.”

Daisy

“As I packed my suitcase, I began to reminisce over my first day. The tears I shed that day seemed idiotic to me now. I began to remember all the friends I met during my stay. Knowing more names than I could remember made me feel accomplished. As the memories of the five weeks played in my head, I remembered who I was before. Timid, a follower, and scared. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I saw my true self again. I was a leader, confident, and strong.”

Daisy found a new side of herself at Brown University.

Elyse

“To me, meeting new like-minded people was the most critical aspect of the trip. It was fun to explore a new city with other young people, and most of my learning experiences came from the other kids in the program. It was a mix of so many people from all across the world. Some of my closest friends were from the Middle East. Learning about other people's cultures and their goals was transformative.”

Elyse studied at Boston University this past summer.

Jocelyn

‘To me, my family and friends are the most important and that didn’t change at Brown. I missed them of course, but during my time in Rhode Island, I realized that if I wanted to go study far from home, they’d always support me. I wouldn’t have known that if I hadn't spent two whole weeks at Brown. Being away was new to me. Because of the Brown Pre-College program, I realized that although new is scary, it can be amazing.”

manuel

“Those two weeks went by tremendously fast. I was starting to get used to my schedule at Harvard and the freedom I had. The days at Cambridge felt slow compared to the ones I had at home. Three days after I got home I started to realize the new skills that I learned shile I was at Harvard. I realized that my life had changed completely.”

Thank you so much for supporting our students and their future.

• Your tax-deductible donations make life- changing experiences possible.

• Farther Foundation is a 501(C)(3) charitable scholarship organization.

The Board of Directors, Farther Foundation

David Weindling
Susan J. White
Laura Swartzbaugh
Melissa Coughlin
Nina Ricci
Ed Cruickshank
Matt Crossett
Rosario Gonzalez
Jocelyn Duran