Every year between 12 and 30 students are beneficiaries of our scholarship and mentorship programs.

 

Meet this year’s

QAASID COHORT

Qaasid means “messenger” or “envoy” in Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic. With this name, we hope students can serve as messengers and ambassadors on their journeys to India, Nepal, Peru and Bolivia, helping build mutual understanding and connections between countries and cultures.

Be sure to hover on each image to read each student’s profile!

You may know me on paper as Bitsy Bond. However my full name is Jacqualyn Bond-Perez, and although I’ve grown up in Oregon my entire life most of my family is from Hidalgo Mexico and a majority of my life has been based around my Hispanic heritage. On the other half of my family I grew up in the small town of Eagle Creek. In Eagle Creek I spent most of my time outdoors doing all the fun outdoor activities including camping, hiking, mushroom foraging and my favorite of all horse back riding! I’ve been horseback riding for around 12 years now and it has taught me so much in all walks of life including responsibility, patience, discipline and a huge respect for animals.

When I was told about this program by my college advisor Geoffery I was ecstatic to learn about the program and the potential opportunities that it could provide for me. You see I spent so much of my time outdoors due to the little amount of extra spending money my family had. I have no complaints about this as it gave me a new appreciation for the environment around me and time to explore. But with this curious mind I wish I could get out and explore more of the world! Not much of my family has gotten the opportunity to explore the world and I feel that this experience could be enriching for my entire family as I’d get to dip my toes into the experiences they never were able to obtain when they were my age. This opportunity could be truly life changing and that’s what I truly feel inspired me to apply.

BITSY BOND

I am Elijah Acosta and I have had a pretty mediocre life I think. Growing up, I was diagnosed with ADD and this slightly affected me in the school setting, though my mom has taught me to never allow myself to use it as an excuse to avoid improvement. My mom is a very important person to me, she has been a single mother who became disabled and relied on fixed income to provide for me since my middle school years. Despite our issues, she always told me to do everything I can in life, and ever since I have been trying to do just that. So when I heard about this program, I saw it as a perfect opportunity for me to pursue my interests and gain new experiences.

ELIJAH ACOSTA

I have been living in Portland for almost four years. Throughout those years, I have found ways to engage in my adventurous, artistic, and hard working parts of myself with what Portland has to offer. One of my favorite things about the city is the abundance of activities, such as kayaking the Willamette, tattooing classes, snowboarding on Mount Hood, visiting the Portland Art Museum, and a lot of amazing food to try. I am always looking to try new things because I want to push myself out of my comfort zone and have fun new experiences. My education has been something I struggled with since sixth grade. I didn’t enjoy the traditional ways that school worked. In 2021, I joined my alternative high school that allows students to engage in flexible learning. With this type of education, I had the opportunity to finish my school work a year early, and I found new ways to enjoy my education. Overall, my inspiration for doing this program comes from my enthusiasm for adventure, and my drive to work hard and be successful. In addition, I want to look at opportunities that are unique and allow for self growth.

GWEN HUGHES

Hi, I am Jasmin, I like going on walks in the morning and spending time with my cats.  I also enjoy spending time with others and learning new facts about other cultures. I am excited to be part of this community and have the adventure of learning new information throughout the experience.

JASMIN VASQUEZ RIOS

I am a Mexican immigrant's child and grandchild. A 17-year-old in high school who is graduating a year early. I am an extroverted, cheerful, and helpful person. I can communicate in both Spanish and English. Also, my family consists of five members, including myself.

My grandfather is my source of inspiration. He had always wanted to go across the world and see new areas in order to help the society and give back. When he told me about it, it inspired me to do the same. In my opinion, I would put myself in those people's shoes. If I required assistance or support, I would have hoped for such a wonderful chance. I am not from a wealthy household. This program is quite eye-opening and provides an excellent opportunity to travel and experience the surroundings of locations you may not have previously considered.

JASMINE LOPEZ DOMINGUEZ

KAILASH BISWA

I’m Koni! I’m 19 years old, I’m an artist and I’m going to be starting college in the fall to major in Theatre. I’m really inspired to do this program because for so long I have been stuck in the same routine and I just want to explore more of what’s out there. I’m really excited to have the opportunity to challenge myself and do things I’ve never done before!

KONI TIFFANY

My name is Lucas Barrera, and I am a high school senior who is going to attend Portland State University for Operations and Supply Chain Management. I love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kick-Boxing, playing music, as well as the arts and sciences. I am of Latino descent, and love giving back to my culture. I love diverse cultures and am curious about all peoples around the world. I am an avid learner, and make the effort to read a book every month and give back to my community. I was born in Hayward California, in the Bay Area, and moved to Portland in 2013.

My inspiration is for the world, and creating a perspective that is larger than the environment I live in. When I travel to different countries, I further my developmental learning, and learning capacity, in all manners. I become more open minded, and smarter in every capacity, especially in my perspective and emotional intelligence of my world view. I create more connections around me and others. Traveling is my education.

LUCAS BARRERA

Mancala is my chosen name. I named myself after one of my favorite camp counselors. She was one of the first queer people I had met in the small town I grew up in. She told me that it was okay to be different and to feel different and in due time I would learn who I was meant to be. I am still learning how to navigate being Black and queer. I have been able to feel more comfortable in my identity through my sense of fashion and through theater. I am a proud theater kid and owner of funky socks. I am so excited to get out of the U.S. and get to explore other cultures and their food.

MANCALA SNYDERS

Let's see, my full name is Xilonen Itzell Sierra, my first two names come from Aztec and Mayan (respectively) goddesses. It is a tongue twister, but you learn to love it. One of my best friends Ash says you should know I'm an October Libra. I think you should know that since diapers I've been a big reader, this has led to me writing way more than I need to. Hopefully, it ends up being sweet if the short part doesn't pan out.

I like consuming media, crocheting, drawing, and working out during my free time. Putting on makeup plus dressing up like a muppet threw up on me is how I like to walk out the front door. I've been a traveler all my life, since my future career can't take me places I thought my education could.

XILONEN SIERRA