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  • "GESI is about engaging a world that is bigger, more exciting, and more complex than most people imagine. This abroad experience has allowed me to learn more about myself as a student, a partner in the work world, and as a member of humanity, and I'm looking forward to my continued growth in all these capacities."

    - Tarik Patterson

  • "GESI is not a program that teaches you how to help others. It is one that enables you to turn "others" into "us". It is real living with real people, and immerses you into a culture that is as sophisticated and complex as your own."

    - Michelle Kim

  • "GESI exposed me to the difficult but rewarding realities of community development: True impact comes from work at the grittiest level. If you're considering a career in a non-profit, NGO, social work, or anything that supports your community, an experience like this is vital."

    - Kirk Vaclavik

  • "There are two ways of learning: by keeping your nose to a book or by opening your eyes to the world. GESI provides the rare learning opportunity as it combines both forms. I know I have walked away invariably changed for the better."

    - Kalindi Shah

  • "Our project involved community members in every conceivable way. My relationships built with community members were my most proud and lasting accomplishments."

    –Sebastian Buffa

  • "I was looking for an opportunity to create lasting change--both in a community and in myself. GESI sets its participants up with the necessary tools and skills, and then gives them complete freedom to learn, fail, rework, and eventually succeed."

    - Rena Oppenheimer

  • "The program has given me a glimpse into what it is like to work internationally at the grassroots level. Having the hands on experience that the program has given me, I feel like I am one step ahead for other jobs in the development sector."

    - Ashley Fu

  • "The experience has given me a new perspective on everything from washing the dishes to how to address world hunger... I will be returning to the lessons I learned on this trip decades from now."

    - Alexis Suskin-Sperry

  • "The most unique aspect of this program is the opportunity to act on a theory that we had learned. GESI is a unique opportunity to experience how development theories, methodologies and practices actually play out in a community."

    - Lakshmi Ramachandran

  • "I will always treasure my home-stay experience. I became very close with my siblings and loved having a large family. I learned that wherever you are, a family is a family and life is lived day to day."

    - Ellen Abrams

  • "My home-stay was one of the best aspects of my summer. My sisters taught me so much about Ugandan culture as well as life in general. We have grown up on different sides of the world but we may as well as lived next door."

    - Chelsea Christman

  • "Professor Arntson's team building exercises and classes about group dynamics were invaluable. They gave our team the vocabulary and tools to mediate conflicts and make decisions while abroad and helped us understand each other's motivations."

    - Catherine Wu

  • "Our NGO let us work independently, but took co-ownership of our project, which was comforting as we were creating a proposal for them and we required input and feedback to know that our work had a purpose."

    - Elizabeth Montgomery

  • "Being at our NGO was the single best part of the trip. I loved the community, and I loved the people there. It is an amazing NGO that does amazing things. The challenges we faced taught us to overcome obstacles."

    - Alex Grubman

  • "The FSD site team was incredible. I've never worked with such capable, caring, fun people. They made me feel so at home and safe and also really supported us with our NGO."

    - Asha Toulmin

  • "I am very impressed by the commitment and intelligence of the fellow students in GESI. I definitely learned much from them."

    - XinKai Cheng

  • "The diversity of our group made us effective -- while others preferred to work on logistical, behind-the-scenes stuff; some were outspoken, others were more contemplative; some were better planners, some were better at actuating ideas on paper."

    - Abby Hannifan

  • "This program gave new meaning to hands on learning. The background at the institute on development was great, and a week later you were on site attempting to implement what you had learned, and in the process learning far more than you could imagine."

    - Rachel Suffrin

  • "The most unique thing was the amount of exposure we got to the community. I felt like I was a part of it and not just observing it."

    - Bryan Stenson

  • "This experience was absolutely applicable to my personal, professional, academic goals, especially when it comes to approaching development with a realistic perception of how it works on the ground."

    - Elizabeth Montgomery

  • "GESI has helped me mature as a team member and a prospective development worker."

    - C.A.

Student Instructors

A student instructor is a GESI alum who has chosen to spend his/her summer supporting current GESI students before they go abroad. At least one student instructor is assigned to each group and provides teams with support in group activities during the Pre-Departure Learning Summit. While current GESI students are abroad, student instructors provide periodic feedback, based on their experiences in GESI. Student instructors are trained in facilitation techniques.

Learn about our 2011 team of student instructors below. GESI alumni interested in becoming a student instructor for GESI 2012, please contact us.

Thank you to the GESI 2011 Student Instructors!

Emily Crane | GESI 2009 Uganda Alum I’m originally from Chicago, though I spent my formative years in London, and I just finished up my sophomore year at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. I am hoping to graduate with a degree in International Relations and Modern History with a focus on post-conflict transition in sub-Saharan Africa. I went to Uganda two summers ago with GESI and worked with a team of three other students at an NGO called the Organization for the Good Life of the Marginalized where we helped improve a vocational training program in tailoring that helped build the skills of the community. I love traveling, photojournalism and music and can’t wait to hear all about your experiences in country.

Chelsea Cristman | GESI 2009 Uganda Alum I just graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in Sociology and International Studies. I grew up in Nashville, TN, but currently live just outside of Chicago, in Oak Park, IL. Two summers ago,  I went to Iganga, Uganda and worked with an organization called, Integrated Disabled Women’s Activities (IDIWA). Together with my team and the staff of IDIWA, we developed the foundation for a microfinance institution and an educational program for people with disabilities in the community about the expectations they should have for when pursuing a loan from an institution. GESI was a transforming experience for me and has had an enormous impact on my future career goals. I can’t wait to hear all about your summers and good luck on your projects!

Zoe Fox | GESI 2010 India Alum I just graduated from Northwestern with a double major in journalism and Asian and Middle Eastern languages and civilizations. Last summer, I went to India with GESI where I worked with Jatan Sansthan where I worked with three other students to develop a curriculum for rural youth groups. In addition to my summer in India, the high points of my college experience have been spending my junior year in Jerusalem, interning for TIME Magazine and reporting from Athens and Istanbul on a research grant. Probably like all other past and future GESI participants, traveling ranks high on my list of hobbies. I’ll be living vicariously through all your adventures this summer from New York, where I’ll be working for Mashable.

Walter Furness | GESI 2010 Uganda Alum I’m originally from northern Illinois, but have always felt more at home in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where my parents’ families live. I just finished my junior year at Northwestern University and am not sure what to think about being a senior at this point. Currently I’m studying Geography and Environmental Science and am hoping to attend grad school in the future. Last summer I traveled to Uganda with GESI and helped design and implement a water purification project using the SODIS method. Traveling might be my favorite activity, but I also enjoy playing music, sports, photography, and a plethora of games. I’m excited to be back helping with GESI this year and am jealous of your imminent adventures!

Adrienne Gembala | GESI 2010 India Alum I am from Los Angeles and just graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in environmental studies and cultural anthropology. Now that I am a graduate, I will be heading to the Peace Corps later this year for environmental education.  Last summer I went to India with GESI and worked with a team of three other students at the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) where we worked in a village to promote environmental awareness and planted trees.  I love meeting new people and all around having so much fun so I am excited to read about all your adventures!

Bruna Giberti | GESI 2010 Uganda Alum Born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil I decided to come to Northwestern for college and have just finished my junior year. I am majoring in Communication Studies and International Studies, and am in the Business Institutions Program. Last summer I worked in Kakira, Uganda and it was the most life-changing experience. From our work at our NGO planting demonstration gardens with primary school student to my caring host-family it was the most wonderful time. Talk to me about traveling, Brazil, music, Harry Potter, Old Spice commercials, or anything relevant and we can be friends! Seriously though, GESI is the best and I can’t wait to hear about your experiences!

Eliza Haney | GESI 2009 Argentina Alum Eliza Haney, originally from Arcadia, California, is a senior at the University of California, Davis, studying International Relations and Spanish with a minor in Sociology.  She had a great experience as a part of GESI Argentina in 2009 and is excited to be back with GESI this summer!  Eliza loves foreign politics, swimming, cycling, soul food, and college football!  This is her second year as a GESI student instructor.

Claire Hunt | GESI 2010 Uganda Alum I was born and raised in Minnesota and just finished up my junior year at Northwestern, studying Social Policy and History. I spent last summer in Mayuge, Uganda working at RISE (Rural-Urban Initiatives to Support Own Efforts) with three other students on a sustainable water purification project. In Uganda I spent my time dancing to Bebe Cool and eating fried dough. I’m looking forward to hearing your stories from your summer! I love traveling, reading, theater, music, and food. I can’t wait to hear how your projects grow and develop on site!

Ana Luna | GESI 2010 Uganda Alum I am originally from San Francisco, California. After attending the Art Institute of San Francisco, I soon left foggy San Fran for the friendly and dynamic Chicago! I have since attended DePaul University. I am a rising Senior, and I am currently majoring in Political Science and double minoring in Geographic Information Systems and Urban Studies (focusing on architecture and urban planning). I went to Uganda last summer with GESI and I worked with team of vibrant and unique Northwestern Student. I lived and worked within a Sugar Cane Factory community. Working directly with the outgrowers of sugarcane, I helped create a pilot project which promoted sustainable farming in government and private school settings. This pilot project has been extremely successful and has since been picked up by the USAID! I love meeting new people, laughing, drawing, filming, and exploring! I can’t wait to meet all of you! Be stoked! This will be an unforgettable experience!

Stephanie Novak | GESI 2010 India Alum My name is Stephanie Novak and I’m a senior (or alum!?) of Northwestern, where I studied Philosophy, Bioethics and Global Health. I’m originally from Chicago, but grew up in a small town in Ohio (and I mean small…population 4,000). I went to India last summer with GESI and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I worked on developing an intern immersion program for our organization in order to make them financially independent. I can’t wait to follow all of your experiences in-country, seeing how you adapt to your new internships and host cultures. I love writing, traveling and photojournalism and actually had a “life-changing” experience during GESI…after blogging about my time in Udaipur, I decided I wanted to be a journalist, and I’m moving to Paris, France in August to pursue journalism by working for the International Herald Tribune.

Isabella Picon | GESI 2010 India Alum Whoops! I didn’t turn my bio in so now Nicole is going to make one up for me!  I’m a peppy Northwestern student, originally from Venezuela.  After doing GESI in India last summer, (where I was placed at Prayatna Samiti and developed trainings for women entrepreneurs) I studied abroad in Brazil.  What a contrast!  I’m very involved in the Global Engagement Summit (GES) a Northwestern student group which plans an annual capacity building conference for undergraduates around the country to come and develop their skills in social entrepreneurship.  You should apply next year at theges.org!  India gave me a lot to chew on and is already influencing my academic and professional interests.  I’m looking forward to meeting you!

Sydney Schavietello | GESI 2010 Uganda Alum I’m a Colorado Native and have just graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in English Literature and Religious Studies. I spent last summer in Uganda with the GESI program and worked with local youth on health awareness initiatives with an NGO called Uganda Development and Health Associates (UDHA). I enjoy traveling, photography, skiing, and music and am excited to help get your big adventure started!

Xander Warso | GESI 2010 Uganda Alum A native Chicagoan, I recently completed a BA in political science and economics at Swarthmore College, concentrating heavily in international politics and applied economics. Last summer I travelled to Jinja, Uganda and worked with three other GESI students at The AIDS Support Organization to found a community bakery as an income generating project. I love traveling, reading, theater, music, and food. I can’t wait to hear how your projects grow and develop on site!

Daisy Zhu | GESI 2009 Uganda Alum I grew up on the tiny sunny island of Singapore. I am almost graduating from Northwestern (one more quarter to go!) with a double major in Biomedical Engineering and International Studies. Two summers ago, I worked at St. Francis Health Care Center near Jinja, Uganda. I love traveling, and napping is my new favorite pastime. GESI greatly influenced my college career, and I’m excited for all your upcoming summer adventures.