Hathai

Hathai means heart and mind in Thai, the local language of Thailand

Ana Basaldua

My name is Ana Basaldua. I am 19 years old. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I attended Westview High School and graduated in 2016. I am a full time student at Portland Community College. I work at a Children's Preschool/Daycare where I enjoy my time working with children. I love going on road trips, listening to loud music, dogs and long walks. I'm excited to be on an airplane and leaving the country ( my first time for both!) I can't wait to learn how to scuba dive and experience so many new things that I never had before. Traveling has always been a big dream of mine and I'm very thankful to have this opportunity.

Cecilia Franklin-Knapp

Hello I am Cecilia!
I was born and raised in Portland,OR. I enjoy spending time in nature where I experience life thriving changes. I realized recently just how much nature can do to a person. I attended LEP charter high school until its close in 2015 then graduated from Alliance @ Benson this spring. As much as I am interested in biology, physics, and statistics, I also would go for any Kafkaesque series. I am thrilled to meet my cohort soon and for our adventure to growth together.

Cynthia Rodriguez

My name is Cynthia Rodriguez, I was born in Mexico but raised in Oregon ever since I was two years old. I'm currently attending Portland Community College as a Future Connect Scholar. I'm working on my Associates of Science Transfer Degree, and hoping to transfer to OHSU or Pacific University to pursue a career in the medical field as a traveler Pediatrician. I'm the first one in my family to go to college. I want to become a role model to my younger and older siblings. To never give up, to continue what you're most passionate about. Everything is possible. I want to be able to share my experiences about college and Carpe Mundi with my loved ones. I enjoy working at the Walters Cultural Arts and being part of the City of Hillsboro, but when I'm off work I enjoy going to the gym, being around my family and my dog. My hobbies are soccer, boxing, and hiking. I love nature, kids, and animals. I am grateful to have this opportunity and be part of the Hathai Cohort. I'm ready to learn and experience a completely different culture, language, and environment and one day give back to my community. I'm looking forward for this adventure and to come out of my comfort zone.

Denis Eckert

This is Denis Eckert. In middle school, Denis had joined the Boy Scouts of America. This is where he had found of sense for adventure. He experiences backpacking, camping, long distance hiking, and horseback riding. The creative side of Denis was challenged in high school when he had participated in theatre art and choir. He is currently going to Portland Community College to finish his general studies before transferring to an university. Recently, Denis had picked up the hobby of photography. He is looking forward to experience new adventures while balancing his heart and mind.

Elena Garcia

My name is Elena Garcia. My hobbies include photography, boxing and writing. I am a student at Portland Community College. I am excited to experience something that is different than what I'm used to.

Lena Tran 

My name is Lena Tran. I come from a Vietnamese and Chinese background. I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. I am the first in my family to graduate from High School and attend Portland Community College. My hobbies are writing, reading, playing the ukulele and being with my two pups Milo and Ben. I am excited explore what the world and South East Asia has in store for me, to find who I am and what I am capable of when obstacles are thrown at me.

Sierra Caputo

My name is Sierra Caputo. I am 20 years old and originally from Las Vegas. I am currently attending Portland Community College where I am studying to be in the medical field. While not in school or work I enjoy drawing, dancing, and lounging by the pool. I have a huge family and I am an aunt to 11 wonderful kids. It has always been a dream  of mine to travel and I am so grateful to get this opportunity. I am most excited about getting to experience the culture and traditions of another country. 

Vincent Prom

Hello!

My name is Vincent Prom. I am 18 years old and younger brother of Patrick Prom who was previously in the Bala Cohort of 2014. I am a valedictorian graduate of Jefferson High School class of 2017. Now, I am attending Portland State University as a full time student. While in High School, I discovered that one of my favorite things to do is to dance. I was a part of an elite company that traveled nationally and internationally. My first trip that I have ever made out of the country was to perform and tour in Aix en Provence, France. The experience was a grand one. I made so many memories and new connections there. More of my hobbies include playing basketball, fishing, camping, running, bike riding, and occasionally playing video games. I love to challenge myself and that is one of the things that I hope to do during this trip.

Thank you!

Zahkile Webb

Hello, my name is Zahkile.

I am 18, I was born here in Portland, but have lived most of my life in Eugene. I am a graduate of Alliance high school and am now a full time student at PCC Southeast. I am currently working as a dishwasher at the Garagiste wine bar. I am passionate about music and spend much of my time playing the guitar or drums, or just listening to music. I am also passionate about traveling and imagine it is something I will do a lot of in the future. I am super excited to go to Southeast Asia, and I also have plans to visit my Ghana in August to visit my family there.

Najma "Maya" Abdirahman

Hola everyone. My name is Maya. I am from East Africa, did pretty much all my schooling there. I moved to the USA in 2014. I am someone who has a different favorite color every week if not everyday, that being said I like to try different types of stuff and hobbies all the time. I love learning languages, it all started when I came to the states and realized that I knew more languages than the average person (which here is like two languages). I grew up speaking English, Swahili, Somali, Bajuni, and Hindi. I am learning Arabic, Urdu, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish. I want to become a midwife.

Being a girl has its problems like not doing much out of the house and not going anywhere alone. I want to be different that's why I am so excited to go abroad. I want to be able to check my list as I am traveling, doing a lot of things my first time!