2008 Graduating Class

This section provides brief profiles and photos of the Davis United World College Scholars Program’s graduating Class of 2008.

During the preparation of this yearbook, each senior scholar responded to several questions from the Davis UWC Scholars Program. They wrote about the impact of their college experience on their lives, learning, and goals. Many also briefly described their plans and hopes for the future. The profiles that follow quote from their responses.

A B C D E-F G H I-J K L M N O-Q R S T U-V W-Z

	Carolina Caeiro Argentina UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Middlebury College Middlebury gave me a unique opportunity to explore various subjects before I finally settled down with sociology and political science. I also continued cultivating those skills I learned at UWC. I have had wonderful, challenging experiences in and out of the classroom, interacting with students and professors. Looking back to the beginning of this journey, I can now say with certainty that, in the last five years, I have received the best education.

	Margarita Capi Albania UWC-USA Vassar College Attending the UWC expanded my horizons immensely. Living in a diverse community allowed us to cherish our differences and recognize our commonalities. Vassar was a great continuation of that experience. My friends, professors, and mentors have helped me to better myself and to grow. I hope to apply the skill sets and knowledge I gained here to promote development in my home country.

	Karamo Ceesay Gambia Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Methodist University My years at UWC matured my international understanding through diversity and education and gave me the desire to make a difference in my society. Methodist gave me both religious and academic freedom in a unique degree program with the best professors in the region. As a microbiology major, I anticipate taking a year off for a field experience before I pursue my studies in the physician assistant program. One day I hope to make a difference in Africa and the world at large.

	Dhaval Chadha India Mahindra UWC, India Harvard College The most significant experiences I have had in college were studying in Brazil and taking a course in community organizing. My experience abroad renewed a withering social commitment, and the class taught me that a significant way to make a difference is by empowering marginalized communities, not just providing services to them and turning them into clients. I hope to return to Brazil to engage in such work, because there is a lot of dynamic and radical thought there right now.

	Amon Chafukira Malawi UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Westminster College The journey from the past to the present and the future has been educational and rewarding. I owe it to God and those I met during the journey for helping me to get through every day. Two of the many things I learned at Westminster: “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on” (Winston Churchill), and “Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems” (Rene Descartes).

	William Yoon Shun Chang Malaysia UWC of South East Asia, Singapore Cornell University I’ve been fulfilled in college by striking a balance between immersing myself in the corporate world and the world that drives human phenomena — sustainability, world change, global disaster, and the wonder of society. The UWC ethos has jelled together my memories, morals, and friends in the belief that UWC attitudes are transferable to any environment. During my semester abroad in China, I studied economic and societal reforms of an emergent giant, remembering the bigger picture UWC has instilled — cultural enrichment and, above all, visionary outreach.

	Chulu Lucy Tendayi J.J. Taffigi Chansa Zambia UWC of the Atlantic, Wales Connecticut College Remember me as you please. This excerpt is comparable to an obituary. Why does one compact millions of experiences into 85 words only to be forever recollected by single instances. She was Zambian, or the girl who berated actions at 10% Ball, or singer with loud hair. Admissions Fellow, HDC, IA, SAC exec-member, fashion girl, lazy. Catch my drift? What I am is stretched thin among three diverging worlds — Zambia, UWC, and Connecticut, and, therefore, unable to be whole. Remember me as you please.

	Rishi Chatrath India Mahindra UWC, India Colby College Growing up in a small town in India, I didn’t think studying abroad possible, but that changed when I won a scholarship to the UWC. Two years later, I found myself standing at a lonely bus stop in Maine, waiting to get to Colby. Majoring in English and theater has allowed me to study what most interests me, and faculty have supported me in all my activities. I hope to apply my liberal arts education to all my future endeavors.

	Isaias Chaves Colombia UWC-USA Harvard College At UWC, I became a richer, more understanding individual and a better critical thinker. At Harvard, thanks to its resources and the generosity of the Davis UWC Scholarship, I explored an eclectic mix of subjects, from 18th-century American history to theoretical statistics. Important for my development was my professors’ willingness to include me in the research process and guide me when I began my own projects. I plan to pursue a career in academia, combining my interests in history and applied mathematics.

	Aynara Chávez Muñoz México UWC-USA Colby College Colby gave me a breadth of possibilities and rich experiences, allowing me to discover my passions. During study abroad and summers, I was given the chance to explore the real world, make professional connections, and gain the confidence to live independently. I’ve realized that learning is a lifetime process, and, after these terrific years, I feel more driven, more eager to take advantage of all the opportunities and experiences that await me. Thank you so much to Shelby Davis and Colby for making this possible.

	Suxin Cheah Singapore Red Cross Nordic UWC, Norway Skidmore College UWC inspired my love for nature and the responsibility that the love entails. Skidmore gave me knowledge of the woods, which I want to share with children by going into wilderness education. I also want to learn more about sustainable agriculture while exploring Japan and teaching English.

	Yeguang Chi China Pearson UWC, Canada Harvard College At Harvard, I concentrated in applied mathematics and economics. My post-graduate plan is to do one year of research with the National Bureau of Economic Research before going to graduate school. During my college years, I have directed a volunteer program, Chinatown ESL, which serves Asian immigrants in the Boston area.