We’re pleased to share this year’s graduating class: 25 incredible individuals spanning two cohorts, whose personalities are as unique as their TGS experiences. Yet for all of their wonderful differences, each is united in having left an indelible mark on their educators, our school’s culture, and, most importantly, each other.
The Class of 2020 got back to basics in Botswana, trading their cell phones and laptops for hands-on experiences with an array of incredible wildlife.
They embraced the unexpected in India and found serenity in Japan’s unique blend of modern and old.
Spain showed the staying power of Basque traditions while China showed a country hurtling towards the future.
Oman and Panama provided spectacular shorelines to explore maritime heritage and the art of surfing while Chile’s Patagonia region challenged our students in ways they’d never been challenged before.
Bosnia and Herzegovina exposed our CM1 students to the complexities of war alongside the beauty of one of Europe’s best-kept capital cities. Australia showed the value of maintaining culture over thousands of years alongside a glimpse into the future through a virtual reality-focused module.
Greece, the setting for so many incredible journeys, provided the perfect backdrop for both our cohorts to come together and bond.
So without further ado, we present to you the Class of 2020!
Marwa Afechkar
Year Joined: 2018
From: Morocco
Cohort: CM2
Countries Marwa called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: We all sat in silence, and watched the stars. I suppose because there were no words that could describe the feeling of happiness. Perhaps those little burning lights out there in the dark are the closest we come to something that does – A memory from Botswana
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The community, weXplores, and calendar invites.
Amelie Andreas
Year Joined: 2017
From: New Zealand
Cohort: CM1
Countries Amelie called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “Life is too important to be taken seriously.” -Oscar Wilde
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Built-in community and free food
Napassakorn Atireklapwarodom
Year Joined: 2017
From: Thailand
Cohort: CM1
Countries Napassakorn called home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “Do whatever you want and don’t care about other’s judgment”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Growth, adventure, and reflection
Hinda Ina Bicaj
Year Joined: 2017
From: Kosovo
Cohort: CM1
Countries Hindacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “You are something the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is something the whole ocean is doing.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Community
Jack Collison
Year Joined: 2018
From: Canada
Cohort: CM2
Countries Jackcalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “It’s all said and done now. I spent two years in a program that I only sort of believed was a reality when I heard about it. I am so grateful to everyone who has been a part of the experience that is too big to try and put in a quote, so I’ll summarize it in four words; a really good time.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The ability to hang out with everyone and have a great time, the level of connection with the staff, and stipend.
Liam Davis-Bosch
Year Joined: 2018
From: United States
Cohort: CM2
Countries Lilliancalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” – Seneca
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The long chats in the hallways before bed checks, group cuddle sessions.
Maria Fernanda Diaz de Leon Marin
Year Joined: 2018
From: Mexico
Cohort: CM2
Countries Mariacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Life will make you own your vulnerability; just like a turtle finding the sea, you will run towards immensity by always following the music of what inspires you to grow. “
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Definitely the people, the previously made schedules, and… stipend.
Monica Donayre Villarreal
Year Joined: 2018
From: Venezuela
Cohort: CM2
Countries Monicacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Fall forward.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Community, vibes, and stipend.
Maria Dörr
Year Joined: 2018
From: Germany
Cohort: CM2
Countries Mariacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people–they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress.”― Paulo Freire
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Trying out new food and restaurants, the community, how most things were organized for us and how much support we got.
Isabella Doloresnida Engalla
Year Joined: 2018
From: United States and Philippines
Cohort: CM2
Countries Isabellacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman
Senior Quote: “People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” – Rob Siltanen
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? A close-knit community, project-based learning
Julia Gwiozdzik
Year Joined: 2017
From: Poland
Cohort: CM1
Countries Juliacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “As long as you live, keep learning how to live” – Seneca
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Stipends and discovering new veggie restaurants, random deep conversations with people, lack of routine, and living an unpredictable life.
Giulia Hettwer
Year Joined: 2018
From: Germany and Italy
Cohort: CM2
Countries Giuliacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, and Oman
Senior Quote: “There is only one thing we say to death: Not today.” – Syrio Forel
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Friends and advisory meetings.
Scott Hibbard
Year Joined: 2018
From: United States and Ecuador
Cohort: CM2
Countries Scottcalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “The only constant is change” -Heraclitus
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Independence, stipend, and the TGS family.
Justin Smith-Hoopes
Year Joined: 2017
From: United States
Cohort: CM1
Countries Justincalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “Growth is the only true measure of one’s character.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Extreme emotions, staff, and the personal project budget.
Ryleigh Iverson
Year Joined: 2017
From: United States
Cohort: CM1
Countries Ryleighcalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” -The Dalai Lama
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? People, people, people!
Soeun Kim
Year Joined: 2017
From: South Korea
Cohort: CM1
Countries Soeuncalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “You have your brush, you have your colors, you paint the paradise, then in you go.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? Community members, traveling the world
Aurelia Kriwat
Year Joined: 2018
From: Germany
Cohort: CM2
Countries Aureliacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Let’s go and be changemakers.”
What aspects of TGS will you miss the most? The community, dorm life, and the excursions.
Adi Lifshitz
Year Joined: 2017
From: Israel
Cohort: CM1
Countries Adicalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “And one day we will die And our ashes will fly From the aeroplane over the sea, But for now, we are young Let us lay in the sun And count every beautiful thing we can see” -Neutral Milk Hotel
Cam Manh Nghiem
Year Joined: 2018
From: Vietnam
Cohort: CM2
Countries Camcalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “Normality is a crowd-sourced fantasy.” – Sean Lionadh
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? Adventurously Safe
Paula Marquina Gurrea
Year Joined: 2017
From: Mexico and Spain
Cohort: CM1
Countries Paulacalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end. ” —John Lennon
Chase Peterson
Year Joined: 2018
From: United States
Cohort: CM2
Countries Chasecalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “No matter where life takes me, find me with a smile.” – Mac Miller
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? The people, the community, and having Dan as a personal doctor.
Jess Pegram
Year Joined: 2017
From: South Africa
Cohort: CM1
Countries Jesscalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “You cannot buy the revolution. You cannot make the revolution. You can only be the revolution. It is in your spirit, or it is nowhere.” – Ursula K. Le Guin
Varvara Seslija
Year Joined: 2017
From: Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cohort: CM1
Countries Varvaracalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? Never feeling lonely, always being able to ask for help, and free open feedback
Charlotte Tenebrini Steckart
Year Joined: 2014/2017
From: United States
Cohort: CM1
Countries Charlottecalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, Costa Rica, Greece, BiH, Australia, and Chile
Senior Quote: “Don’t forget the happy thoughts All you need is happy thoughts The past tense, past bedtime Way back then when everything we read was real And everything we said rhymed.”
Thao Thanh
Year Joined: 2018
From: Vietnam
Cohort: CM2
Countries Thaocalled home: Botswana, India, Japan, Spain, China, Oman, and Panama
Senior Quote: “I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I’ve lost.” -Nan Goldin
In one to three words, how would you describe your experience at TGS? People, Botswana, and Japan.
Congratulations!
Ready to embark on the educational journey of a lifetime?
A passion for travel. A strong academic record. And the desire to improve the world as you experience it. If this sounds like you, you just might be our ideal candidate! Start your application with a five-minute inquiry form - you never know where you might end up.
Ready to embark on the educational journey of a lifetime?
A passion for travel. A strong academic record. And the desire to improve the world as you experience it. If this sounds like you, you just might be our ideal candidate! Start your application with a five-minute inquiry form - you never know where you might end up.
