Our Students

Meet Farther Foundation’s 2022 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 92% graduate or remain on-track to graduate college.

Amal

“My favorite part of the entire trip was when we all got to go outside and sit in chairs that our leaders had set up. We sat in pairs and were asked questions about our lives. We had to share what we were feeling and what we hoped to get out of the trip.”

Amal traveled to the Azores where she learned to scuba dive and kayak while also exploring the local culture.

Josue

“When the day came to present, I stood in front of the audience and presented like I never had up until that point. I still stuttered a little, but it didn’t matter because I was able to leave my comfort zone in way I never thought I could before.”

Josue attended an engineering program at Cornell University where he experienced campus life and college-level concepts.

Hannah

“On the way back from Hanes, we were going to take the ferry to Juneau, but it was delayed five hours. We decided to drive to a nearby fishing site known for its beauty. The misty lake was one of the most beautiful sites on the trip. I began to explore the area with my friends, Ben and Kyle, and we came across a kid sitting down, fidgeting with his fishing pole. Kyle enthusiastically greeted him but he only spoke French. As Ben and Kyle motioned in disappointment to walk away, I said the only French line I knew, '“Hello, my name is Hannah.” His name was Thomas, and I was able to communicate with him in Spanish. His fluent Spanish-speaking father soon came to greet us, and I learned they were French-Canadians and came every summer to catch salmon.”

Hannah traveled far from city life to participate in an ecological service trip in Alaska.

ian

Ian’s program took place in Colorado where he engaged in service work at a wolf sanctuary and challenged himself with outdoor adventure activities.

aniah

“We did so many things, like getting to see seals up close, dissecting sharks, going to the tide pools, and seeing all different kinds of marine life. I remember at the tide pools I was not expecting what I saw; I had never seen anything like it in my life. It was beautiful and made me appreciate nature so much more. I got to lift up rocks and find things I didn't even know existed.

This program made me so much more comfortable to go to college, Being able to live on campus in the dorms, getting to eat in the dining hall, going into classrooms to do activities, etc; It made me so much more excited to go to college and helped me understand more about what fit I wanted for my college.”

Aniah spent time on and off campus in San Diego getting introduced to college life and marine science.

carmen

“It is a cool summer morning as I jump out of bed to start my day. Only it's not my bed but instead a hotel room in a different country. If I think too much about it, I will remember that I am here with 20 strangers and extremely homesick. I am beyond excited to be in Paris and put my Intermediate French skills to the test. Up to this point we have seen a beautiful Paris, the kind filled with landmarks and “Wows”. Today is a different kind of day and will change everything. We start the day off with community work at a local food pantry. We pack lunches and other necessities for the local Parisens. Our last task is to walk through the streets and give out the supplies. This is where I see the true Paris, not the one that is aesthetically pleasing. I see people in need, graffiti, and dirt. Talking to people in my broken French makes me realize how hard it is for my parents to communicate back home, only speaking Spanish, and the importance of mastering both of my native tongues.”

Carmen traveled through France and Spain, not only experiencing the history and culture, but also engaged in community service.

Jose

“I met my floormates, a wide cast of people who each had something unique about them. There wasn't a day in the dorms with them that was normal and I wouldn't have asked for anything different. At Carleton, I've learned what to expect from myself and how to improve. I took a bit from everyone I met. Now we're thousands of miles away from one another but I know I met a group of people I won't ever forget and we made memories we could tell our grandchildren.”

Jose experienced campus life, scientific inquiry, and a diverse group of friends at Carleton College.

Karla

"I am trying to say that while it’s good to plan to do everything how it’s supposed to be, it’s ok to let loose, take risks, meet new people, and try new things. Who would’ve thought that these people were going to impact me in ways no other experience could have. From this experience, I learned a lot of good tips to help me meet people in college and get out of my comfort zone, but I also learned a lot of new things about myself.”

Karla explored medical education at a pre-college program on the campus of Washington University.

Kate

“I continued to “embarrass” myself while on the trip, but the more I did, the less I cared. I learned that it was fine to be embarrassed by your mistakes. I learned to grow from my mistakes. I learned to understand that mistakes are unavoidable. The less I cared about humiliating myself, the more confident I became. The less I focused on the awkwardness of my mistakes, the more I was able to learn from them.”

Kate traveled to Spain and participated in a program of language and cultural immersion.

stanlay

“We all were from the U.S., most of us from major cities, so we took in the view that we didn’t get back home. We talked about how beautiful the sunset was and why we came on this trip. At that moment, I realized that I didn’t feel as homesick as I did when the day started. We all came from different backgrounds and shared the same excitement and fears. We were excited to surf and milk cows. All of us feared tipping over in the wagon, but we also feared our lives after high school. Even though this was a natural feeling, it made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”

Stanlay’s Costa Rica experience included cultural immersion and community service

luis

“As I open my eyes, I realize I'm not in my room and this isn’t a dream. I am actually here in my dorm, far away from home. I wake up to the sound of silence and the smell of fresh air coming through my window as I get ready for my first day of class. Although my dorm was a little small, I had the one thing I've always seeked; freedom. No parents or siblings coming into my room waking me up, it is just me in my dorm, sitting on my bed as I am daydreaming about these next two weeks.”

Luis spent the summer at Harvard where he was inspired to reach higher.

Mayra

“I felt proud for being away from my family for two weeks, happy I got to experience a philosophy class that made me question all of my beliefs, but completely broken because I would most likely never see my new friends again. It was silly to think that prior to going to this Summer program I didn’t think I would ever even apply to an Ivy, and now, here I was leaving Harvard unable to imagine myself elsewhere.”

Mayra learned about college life and coursework on the campus of Harvard University.

Ndeye

"The strange actuality of service trips is that it is hard to distinguish where our helpfulness begins and where it becomes detrimental to the environment we serve. In a program with Global Leadership Adventures, I spent two weeks on the island of the Dominican Republic volunteering at medical brigades and building bathrooms to benefit the islands’ underserved communities. At the end of every night, the group I sat and discussed what we’d learned that day, how we felt about our service, and most importantly, debating the functionality and meaning behind our work."

kehmar

“Going to Boston University was a great experience, I learned a lot from its college courses and how to manage myself around campus and get my homework done. Besides that, I learned a lot from others and about others. There were people from Korea, Taiwan, California, and Dubai. There were people from almost everywhere gathered at Boston University for those two weeks.”

Grace

“I wanted today to be different and make a genuine friendship while I was there. I introduced myself to her and we talked until we found a ride that we can all join together. She reminded me so much of my younger sister and in such little time. I felt at home with the conversation we were having. I looked up and saw dark gray clouds creeping upon our heads. But we did not care and we ran as water flung up as we splashed in puddles. I can not say how magical and beautiful this scene was to me.”

Grace had a college campus experience at Johns Hopkins University, but sometimes you need a day at the amusement park to solidify new friendships.

Karen

“I feel that the scariest thing I had to do was get on the plane and sleep somewhere that was not home. My whole life up until July 17th, 2022, I have always slept under the same roof as my parents. Going away 740 miles was something necessary and scary for me. My mom cried a lot in the airport while I walked away to board my plane. I myself was super anxious to get on the plane since it would be the first time I would be getting on one by myself.”

Karen was nervous but felt her campus experience at Adelphi College was worth it.

ramiro

“The class I had was Entrepreneur Leadership in Business Entertainment. We would play icebreakers to make everyone feel comfortable with the whole class and teachers. The icebreakers really did help because it brought out people's personalities better — including myself — and made it very easy to socialize and make new friends. I learned a lot of things in my class like how producing a movie works, where to stream, and how to budget.”

Ramiro’s college campus program was at UCLA.

lesly

“¡Pura Vida! A phrase that represents the simple life that is lived in Costa Rica. The way of life that I lived for two weeks, surrounded by breathtaking views and people from all over the world. In the midst of the unknown, this was the code of life that guided me. In the middle of nowhere, I was laying in my tent listening to the roaring waves of the Pacuare River. I could hear the crickets chirping, and the branches moving. My skin was itching, filled with mosquito bites. The humidity was intolerable, and sweat was dripping down my face. Nothing could have prepared me for this unforgettable journey.”

ashley

“The program included many different affinity groups which I was grateful for. I could be around people who looked like me without having to make an effort to go out and find them. I could finally feel a sense of belonging which I had previously missed in my Advanced Placement and Honors classes the year before. Staying at Brown for those two weeks not only gave me a fresh perspective on life and who I want to be moving forward. But it also woke me up to who I am as an individual and all I am capable of doing on my own.”

Aleighah

“While growing up in a diverse community but also going to a mostly white school, it was really powerful to go to a place where everyone looks like you. For it to be an all girls school that is a HBCU, you see that everyone there is the epitome of black girl magic. Intelligence was everywhere you looked and that’s what made it even easier to make connections with people and relate to them. It’s nice to be in an environment where you can express yourself and not feel judged.”

Aleighah had a pre-college experience on the campus of Spelman College

armon

“It is without question that going to the University of Maryland has completely changed me for the better. From my newfound confidence, as well as knowledge; not only in film (my field of study) but life in itself. Before arrival, I was absolutely terrified at the thought of leaving home on my own. I wasn’t sure how the people would be, nor if I was capable of conducting myself. However, upon further reflection I am more than thankful for having been given the opportunity.”

Fernanda

"More than anything, this experience made me realize how I learn best and what I can change to be successful. Getting an unexpected grade made me realize that everything has to be earned. I was capable of earning an A if I put enough effort into it. Moving forward, I am assured to have more balance between academic and social life, as well as finding new ways to study that help me better retain information to prepare for future exams. Those two weeks at Hopkins gave me an exceptional understanding of what I could experience at college; not succeeding in all classes or aspects will just happen, it will only bring opportunities for personal growth and finding ways to help me progress into the best version of myself.”

Fernanda learned from the highs and lows during her time on campus at Johns Hopkins University.

Malaysia

“The Georgetown University program affected me in a positive way by opening my eyes to the different things and people in the world. The program also taught me overall that life is about experiencing new things and adapting to changes - good or bad. I learned new things in the business entrepreneurship and economics classes that I took. I learned about the basic fundamentals in starting a business. I learned how to create and market a business plan to an investor, and I learned tips and tricks to help run business smoothly.”

Alissa

“A new journey can guide your mind to new places. Experiencing a new place, around new people, gave me hope that there is more for me out there beyond the southside of Chicago. I have been surrounded by violence my whole life and I have encountered disappointment but there is more out there. I will change and learn so that one day I can come back and make a positive impact on my community. We all come from backgrounds that do not define us. What we do with those backgrounds is what's important. I will use mine as a determination. I have done the work and put in the time to put me on the path to succeed.”

Alissa took home many positive lessons from her time on campus at Spelman University.

adamaris

“Before going to this summer program, I was anxious, there would be moments where I felt like crying and telling my college counselor and my mom that I did not want to go on this program anymore. I remember struggling with my luggage, but I was able to make it to my room with the help of a staff member of the program. My roommate came in and opened the door for me, as soon as she said something, I knew I would feel comfortable living in the suite. My roommate was very helpful, at some point I had forgotten I was at Yale for just a summer program. When my other roommates came in to introduce themselves, I felt that we had already created a home for us on the first night being together.”

stacey

“The students that were at Tech Camp with me were funny and chill. My roommate was from New Zealand and came with his brother who is older than him. We went to each other's rooms and played games like you do in college. The whole experience was like an example of a college experience.”

Stacey was immersed in technology and a pre-college experience on the campus of Rice University.

sid

“I felt loved by Oaxaca itself. The bright murals that were decorated with skeletons in flowing dresses. The various images of hummingbirds and butterflies. The red roses and grasshoppers painted on the walls at every street corner. The dance concert we went to one night with its speechless story, its betrayal, and its romance. For all my life, I had turned to art to express my sorrows and joy. To see art full of pain and power everywhere I looked told me that no matter what, I would always find a place where I belonged. No matter where or when, I could be loved.”

Sid traveled to Mexico for a month-long immersion in the language and culture.

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
Nicky Fish
Ed Cruickshank
Matt Crossett
Yesenia Ulloa