In Fajardo, I spoke with fishermen about the heavy burden of ghost nets, consisting of gear that devastates marine life and also costs them days of lost income. Moreover, I firsthand saw the growing threat of microplastics embedded in coral reefs while diving at Devil’s Key. In Vieques, I met NGO volunteers who painstakingly logged plastic waste on beaches and reefs, showing me the dedication behind physical data collection. 

What stood out to me most was how deeply local values shaped these efforts. Over shared meals at roadside chinchorros, I experienced how sustainability is woven into the Puerto Rican identity, rooted in jíbaro traditions of resilience and self-sufficiency. These experiences reflected how technology must adapt to culture and not the other way around. 

Puerto Rico far exceeded my expectations. The combination of emerging tracking initiatives with long-standing cultural resilience taught me how solving global challenges may require local wisdom. I’m grateful to GGF for giving me the opportunity to step into a space where data, community, and culture come together to protect our oceans.  My Presentation

-Mirhaan Rajani (Grant 2024-25) 

At Sungabha Nepal, I cooked with women who had overcome stigma and abuse related to their disabilities. Their stories of transformation were deeply moving. In Pokhara, I visited the Women’s Skills Development Organization, where weaving and sewing empower women through financial independence and education. 

Initially uncertain about traveling alone, Nepal quickly surpassed my expectations. The warmth of the locals—who welcomed me into their homes, shared meals, and played board games—made the experience unforgettable. I left with a renewed sense of confidence and gratitude to GGF for the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and into one of the most joyful experiences of my life. 

-Olivia Abraham (Grant 2024-25) 

Volunteering connected me directly with local communities through education and sustainability projects. I saw how small, thoughtful contributions can make a real difference—but also how difficult it is to create lasting change. It’s not enough to donate; solutions must be sustainable and culturally relevant. 

One example was a donation of benches to a village school. Despite the cost, they were rarely used—locals preferred children to stand and move while learning. This misalignment underscored the importance of listening to communities rather than imposing outside solutions. 

The experience reinforced my commitment to work that bridges global understanding with local impact—grounded in empathy, collaboration, and respect. 

-Jan Granacher (Grant 2024-25) 

My aim was to leave my comfort zone, deepen my faith, and embrace new challenges. Along the way, I met people of diverse backgrounds, all with unique motivations for walking. Stepping away from daily routines allowed me to reflect on my communities and appreciate the cultures, foods, and people I encountered during the 11-day trek. What started as a physical challenge turned into a transformative experience, teaching me to slow down and be present. I'm grateful to the GGF community, staff, and donors for their support. 

-Ethan Reynolds (Grant 2024-25) 

-Muskan Ansari (Grant 2024-25) 

-Yifei You (Grant 2024-25) 

-Jack Gramer and Ava Newton (Grant 2025) 

I also learned many things about Japan through their cultural, social, and business differences through visits with Babson alumni, cultural excursions and visits to famous monuments. I never once imagined that I would be in Japan especially during college, but I am grateful for the Glavin Global Fellows Grant for this opportunity and providing me with an inspirational and thought-provoking journey from the moment I flew to Tokyo to my last metro ride to the airport in Osaka. 

My presentation  

-J.T. Rai  (Grant 2024)

With a new perspective on learning about culture, I put my list of questions aside and let the experience guide me. During my trip, I traveled on the National Highway 7 (RN7) south from the Antananarivo, the capital to explore the cities of Ambalavao, and Ambositra, as well as camping in Ranomafana National Park, and Andringitra National Park.  Travelling in Madagascar introduced me to a unique geography that challenges local farmers with both floods and droughts. The continuous focus on community through agriculture, and trade at local markets made me keenly aware of what it means to find fulfillment in my life living Mora Mora. Watch my video 

-Max Gregoire  (Grant 2024)

My presentation  

-Madi Spence  (Grant 2024-25)

remain deeply embedded in daily life, an experience that proved truly life-changing. I visited

Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Cristóbal Castle, and La Fortaleza—18th-century Spanish

fortifications in Old San Juan built to defend the city from land and sea attacks. These UNESCO

World Heritage sites, with their tunnels, ramparts, cannons, and the iconic Garita del Diablo,

allowed me to stand within history and witness the resilience that has endured despite

colonization and natural disasters, reflecting the strength of the Puerto Rican people.

While staying near the University of Puerto Rico, I learned about Bomba culture through the

music department, experiencing a live performance and participating in the interactive dance.

Developed by enslaved Africans in the 17th century, Bomba remains a vital cultural expression

today, even influencing modern artists like Bad Bunny. I also explored local bookstores

preserving Puerto Rican history and folklore, making this an intimate and transformative

immersion into the island’s living culture undefined by time.

My presentation

-Maimouna Sylla (Grant 2024-25) 

-J.T.Rai (Grant 2025-2026)

To prepare, I conducted preliminary research on Oman’s history and development strategy. I reached out to individuals in the country, connected with people across different professional backgrounds, and even did cold outreach to better understand diverse perspectives. I strategically booked my hotel in the center of Muscat so I could immerse myself in the city and observe daily life up close.

Once there, I allowed conversations and experiences to guide my learning. I met with Omanis from a wide range of backgrounds and spent time speaking with strangers, all of whom were incredibly warm and welcoming, about the shifts taking place in their country. I visited historical sites that anchor Oman’s cultural identity, attended cultural events, and even observed court proceedings to better understand the societal framework.

What I discovered both confirmed and challenged my initial expectations. Some Omanis expressed confidence that modernization is happening carefully and that the country will not experience extreme cultural change. Others, particularly those in the business community, suggested that more dramatic transformation may be on the horizon, including the possibility of skyscrapers being introduced, which are currently prohibited. These contrasting perspectives revealed that Oman’s future is not fixed; it is actively being discussed and shaped by its people.

My time in Oman ultimately showed me that modernization is not simply about infrastructure or economic expansion. It is about identity, values, and the collective decisions a society makes about its future. The experience challenged my assumptions and deepened my appreciation for the delicate balance between preservation and progress.  See my presentation HERE.

-Shahaan Murtza (Grant 2025-2026)

A hallmark of Ikarian identity and culture is the local honey. Rooted in Ikaria’s largely untouched nature, the honey carries the richness of the island’s diverse landscape of flora and unique biodiversity. I visited a local family-run honey farm; a business over 40 years in the making and had the opportunity to see the process behind the magical Ikarian honey.  

The island's natural terrain encourages daily movement; uphill walks from village to village and stairs to the town square bring this on for Ikarian residents and visitors. I found that mixed with movement, slow mornings and afternoon naps served as intentional stress reduction in the recipe of the Ikarian lifestyle. In observation and through speaking with local families, I learned how deeply the island values community. The longer I spent in Ikaria, the more I began to slow down and settle into the pace of local living: I spent mornings lingering over coffee in the sunshine, and afternoons slowly exploring Agios Kirykos alongside local cats.  

I learned that Ikarian wellness isn’t a secret recipe; it’s the result of a life lived with good company, tasty honey, and the present moment. Thank you so much to Glavin Global Fellows for this experience! 

https://youtu.be/FGteiaknoGo?si=AdlBPc8MfDmistwX 

-Christina Andoniade

What stood out to me most was how natural everything felt. There weren’t strict rules being enforced, but people just knew what to do. The way passengers moved, waited, and respected space made the system feel calm and almost self-running.

While I was there, I talked to locals who grew up using the trains and walked me through different stations. They kept pointing back to culture—how people are taught to be mindful of others, and how even employee training reflects that. I also visited the Tokyo Metro Museum, where I learned how the system has evolved over time and how much intention has gone into shaping it.

This experience changed how I see systems. I used to focus on structure and efficiency, but now I think more about people—how behavior and culture shape how a system actually works.
I’m really grateful to the Glavin Global Fellows for making this experience possible and for the chance to bring these perspectives back to Babson

-Charmaine Cera (Grant 2025-2026)

During my service learning experience in Langa, South Africa, I began to question whether I was truly making an impact or unintentionally creating more work for the organization I was placed with. This led me to explore how service learning can be done effectively. Through interviews with three organizations: MOSAIC, loveLife, and Langa Bicycle Hub, I discovered that successful service learning depends on alignment, not intention alone. Each organization emphasized the importance of structured systems, clearly defined roles, and students applying specific skill sets that meet real needs. I also learned that the most impactful students are both coachable and inquisitive, willing to learn existing systems while contributing new ideas. Most importantly, effective service learning is rooted in collaboration rather than a one-sided act of helping. These experiences challenged my previous assumptions and showed me that meaningful impact comes from understanding context, respecting local expertise, and working alongside communities that actively seek and value support. 

-Kaitlyn Pristawa (Grant 2025-2026)

We planned our experience around key historic sites documented in our research, such as the Chinese resident exhibition, Wing Luke Museum, the Panama Hotel in Japantown, and Little Saigon. We also conducted informal interviews with local residents and restaurant owners. 

Through this visit, we learned powerful stories such as early Chinese immigrants endured smuggling and harsh labor; Japanese worked to support families abroad but later faced incarceration; and a Vietnamese construction worker finally opened a restaurant in Little Saigon after 20 years in the US. 

This grant has transformed my understanding of our social responsibility as business students who have the privilege of studying in a top college: honoring those who labored invisibly before us and paying this forward to benefit more students. I commit to paying this forward by mentoring first-generation Asian students at Babson and empowering them during their journey to make the most out of this valuable higher education opportunity.  My presentation

- Celina Li

The home is deeply connected to its community—nearby residents offer horseback riding and are arranging surfing lessons. The children spend much more time outdoors than many American children, and I saw firsthand how stability and community help them grow. One staff member told me about a boy who, after months at Sharan Home, finally met milestones other kids reach much earlier. The children’s ambitions moved me; one girl dreams of becoming Miss Universe.

On my flight to Mumbai, I read Octavio Paz’s In Light of India, which explores India’s layered contradictions. These became apparent during my visit: many Sharan Home children came from slums or difficult backgrounds, while nearby neighborhoods like Bandra represent a cosmopolitan, affluent Mumbai. The city’s economic divide is structural and often hidden—metal walls block slums from highway view, as if Mumbai is trying to look away from itself.

-Rishika Chakravorty  (Grant 2025-2026)

In just three weeks, I became more confident in French, progressing from my previous B1 level to taking B2 classes. Staying with a French family, especially my host, Laetitia, gave me opportunities to practice through conversations and shared experiences. I also met people who brought laughter, friendship, and perspectives into my life. More than a cultural exchange, this experience gave me gratitude, confidence, and motivation for a future working in France. Presentation

-Manuella Vivas Arango Grant 2025-26

Yifei You Grant 2025-26