On May 13, the International Fellows Network (IFN) had its first-ever digital event. Global fellows from various disciplines came together online to talk about their local experiences during the pandemic as well as silver linings that they had found during this time.
The event featured five current and former fellows. Rikeshia Davidson, a 2019 Urban Leaders Fellow currently based in Mississippi, talked about health disparities in her region and how she had been inspired by many leaders across the country. Angell Kim, a Donald M. Payne International Development Fellow currently based in Colombia, talked about how she has found ways to be productive in an ever-changing environment. Jenny Han Simon, a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) to Mongolia (read her interview with ProFellow here), and Christian Savini, a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Fellow, talked about having their international fellowship programs cut short and returning abruptly to the United States. Jenny shared her experiences with online learning and Christian talked about his photography work. Constancia Vilomar, a Language of Destination Flight Attendant with Delta and 2014 Fulbright ETA to Brazil, shared how she is using her downtime to volunteer and be mindful. Vicki Johnson, ProFellow’s founder, shared her experience sheltering at home in San Francisco, and Olivia Davis, ProFellow’s IFN manager, helped facilitate the discussion.
After hearing from the speakers, the floor was open for questions. During this time, they shared the books they had read during quarantine, the importance of being in communities, adjusting to online classrooms, and enjoying time with family.
Couldn’t tune in live? The event was recorded and can be accessed on vimeo!
The International Fellows Network is a professional networking organization of more than 1,800 current and former fellows from all over the world. The IFN also holds events online, in San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Berlin, Germany and seeking to expand these to new locations. Through the IFN, current and former fellows can connect for socializing, advice and insights on fellowships, jobs, events, graduate programs, and collaborative opportunities. If you are a current or former fellow and would like to join, please sign up for our fellowships database, and we’ll be in touch by email!
© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved