Developmental Graduate Student Wins Prestigious Travel Fellowship

Jolina Ruckert who is pursuing a  Ph.D. in developmental psychology, was selected to receive a 2010 Bonderman Fellowship from the University of Washington.  Bonderman Fellowships enable students to undertake extended, independent international travel. 

Before she starts her journey, she will be completing the Evan's School Nonprofit Management Certificate Program. Jolina will then embark on her travels, studying people’s relationship with fire.  Fire is at the heart of many traditions and cultures and binds people into communities.  Jolina’s travels will take her to a variety of countries in Africa and in Asia, and finally, to the "Land of Fire and Ice," Iceland.

The Bonderman Travel Fellowship allows a dramatic step away from the ordinary lives of graduate students.  Bonderman Fellows are awarded $20,000 for their travels.  While it sounds exciting and enticing, Bonderman Travel is not for everyone.  Fellows are required to travel alone for at least eight months and to visit at least six countries in at least two regions of the world.  As the University website describing the Bonderman Fellowship indicates, the goal is not to further the students’ academic progress toward their degree, nor to provide a setting for their research.  Rather, the Bonderman charge is very simple – travel, learn, explore and grow.