Victoria Pompei - Student

Hello, my name is Victoria Pompei, I’m a sophomore at AU majoring in law and society with a SIS minor. I’m very excited to be travelling to Myanmar this winter break, a country that has been on my bucket list for years! Travelling has always been my biggest passion, probably because I’m the typical example of a third culture kid having grown up between Italy, France and the UK. In the past few years I’ve developed a fascination for south east Asia and visited Thailand and Cambodia on different programs where education was a key focus. Therefore when I learned about this program I immediately knew I wanted to join! I can’t wait to broaden my knowledge on the region and embark on a new adventure with this wonderful group of people!

Sumire Maki - Student

Hello !

My name is Sumire Maki and I am an undeclared first year undergraduate at American University. 

I am originally from Japan but considering the fact that I have lived in the USA for the most of my life, I identify as a proud Japanese American. 

Quincy MA is where I call home but I usually will say that I'm from Boston to skip the tedious explanation.

As a first time participant in the Alternative Breaks program, social justice is quite a new realm for me. However, I am ecstatic to learn more about education, especially with Myanmar as its background. 

Besides education, my interests extend to disabled rights, intercultural communications, photography and dancing. 

My hope is that this trip will somehow be applicable to the community back at the AU and DC area. 

Sean Peterson - Student

My name is Sean Peterson. I am an 18 year-old first year student at American University. I am in the School of International Service and am studying International Relations. I am from Essex, Connecticut on the Connecticut River and near Long Island Sound. Some hobbies of mine include skiing, fishing, running, and boating. This will be my first time traveling to Asia and I am very excited. I cannot wait to learn about Myanmar firsthand. What I am looking forward to most is meeting as many new people as possible and discovering the similarities and differences between our two cultures.

Ryne Cender - Student

Major: International Training & Education

Grade: 1st Year Graduate Student 

Home: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Fun Fact: I am the only Canadian of the group. 

Why you are coming: I want to learn more about the challenges students face in the Myanmar education system as the government shifts from authoritative to democratic. My goal after completing the ITEP grad program is to work with students wanting to study abroad. What I hope to gain from this adventure to Myanmar is an understanding of what motivates students in the country and what dreams they have for themselves, their country, and their culture. Also, the desire to visit a part of the world that has been rarely been visited by westerners is a large motivating factor.

Lina Alam - Student

Hi, I’m Lina, a second year student at AU studying international relations with a focus in development. Home for me is New Orleans, and while I’m sad to cut my break short here, I’m very excited to be traveling to Myanmar this winter with my peers through AU’s alternative break program, and I think this trip will be a great way to unpack and better understand current issues in Myanmar like education access, ethnic conflict, and the rise of democracy. Outside of academia, I listen to a lot of music, read a lot of books (when I can), and watch my dog get fatter. 

Savannah Soter - Student

My name is Savannah Soter. I am from Maryland and I am a 1st year undergraduate student at American University in the School of International Service. I plan on majoring in International Relations and Arab World Studies. I chose to attend this program because I am very interested in global development and the importance of education. I've also never left the United States before, so I'm very excited to experience new cultures and meet so many new people!

Cara Eandi - Student

Cara is a first year graduate student in the School of Education's International Training and Education program. She also works at Peace Corps Headquarters as a Country Desk Officer representing posts in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Prior to working at Peace Corps Headquarters, Cara served as an Education and Community Development Volunteer with Peace Corps/Mongolia. Cara graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Sociology and interdisciplinary focus on Gender Studies. Cara originally hails from Colorado.

Tom Ratekin & Zali Win - Faculty Advisor

Tom Ratekin (right) is assistant professor in the literature department at American University. He originated the Leaps in Learning Initiative, which sends American University graduate students to teach at Phaung Daw Oo monastic school in Mandalay. Zali Win (left) is managing director at Credit Agricole in New York City. He is the son of U Kyaw Win, a prominent Burmese dissident and scholar. He is also the editor of Cruising down the Irrawaddy, a collection of essays by his grandfather, U On Kin.

Courtney Elop - Student

My name is Courtney Elop and I am a sophomore in the School of International Service majoring in international relations. I am originally from Ontario, Canada but I graduated from high school in Seattle, Washington. I chose to go to Myanmar over winter break because I am fascinated in both the location and the theme of the trip. I have always been interested in Southeast Asia and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about the region. Myanmar particularly interests me because of its unique history and culture in comparison to the rest of the world. I am also passionate about education reform and thought that this trip complimented my interests especially well.

Elena Sabol - Student

Hey! I’m Elena Sabol and I’m a sophomore at American University. I’m majoring in international studies, with a focus on social justice and human rights. I also hope to minor in communications. I recently became interested in East Asian studies and when I heard about the program I knew this was something I wanted to do.  I’m originally from China but I have lived in Connecticut my whole life.  In terms of hobbies, I love learning about new cultures, travel, writing, photography and netflix. I’m very excited to go back to Asia and I look forward to welcoming the New Year in Myanmar. 

Anisa Shafiq - Student

Hi! My name is Anisa Shafiq, I'm a third year at American University studying Political Science with a minor in Education Studies. I'm originally from Fort Worth, Texas, and I am SO PUMPED to be travelling to Burma this winter! Not only am I getting the privilege of trekking across the world with some really awesome people, we're headed over to learn some really cool stuff as well. Seeing as my focus within political science is education, particularly education policy and what role it plays in shaping new generations, observing the impact education is having on a newly democratising nation like Burma is totally up my alley. In my free time, I enjoy doing crosswords, hanging out in coffee shops, binge watching TV, and driving for 30 minutes to get Taco Bell with my roommate's dog. 

Steven Wetzel - Student

Hello all! My name is Steven Wetzel, a sophomore at American University majoring in Mathematics and Economics and minoring in International Studies. I live in New Egypt, New Jersey when I am not at college. The Alternative Break program has inspired me to learn more about the world and has opened my eyes to the social justice issues taking place internationally. This is my second year in the Alternative Break program and my first opportunity to travel to Asia! I am looking forward to learning about how the changing regime ideology will effect the Burmese education system!  

Moira Nolan - Student Leader

Hi All, My name is Moira and I am a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology. I participated in the Myanmar program my Freshman year and was originally drawn in because of the focus on education. As a first year I was also a DC reads tutor and I wanted to explore the topic further. Starting on my alt break and continuing when I returned to AU and got involved with other student movements, I began to understand the power we have in shaping the community around us. I’m leading this Alt Break to continue to work in solidarity with students leveraging their power to change forces of inequality. I am thrilled to have the chance to meet and work with Myanmar students again! 

Jack Gallo - Student Leader

Hi! My name is Jack Gallo, and I have the privilege of being one of the two Alt. Break Myanmar Co-Leaders this year with the amazing Moira Nolan. I am a sophomore at American University studying International Relations with a specific focus on international development and human rights. I call New York my home, but aspire to live in D.C. for some time after graduation. Always having had an interest with Asia and development I signed up for this Alternative Break last year, and partook on the program as a participant. After having had such an amazing experience with Alternative Break's last year and building such great relationships with my new friends in Myanmar, I couldn't turn down this offer to co-lead the program for 2015/2016. I am so honored to be working with such an amazing group of individuals and cannot wait to get on the ground. You can find my information on our website by googling American University Alt Break Myanmar if you have any questions!