MEGAN LEE

Valparaiso University, B.A., International Economics and Mandarin, Colorado State University, M.S., Student Affairs in Higher Education (in progress)

While at Valparaiso working on degrees in international economics and Mandarin, Megan traveled and studied abroad three times in China and for a semester in Namibia and South Africa. As a recipient of a Chinese government scholarship for foreign students, Megan spent two years living and traveling around China’s far-reaching regions, including Tibet. Since then, she has traveled to many countries, both for personal travels and as a gap year program leader for Carpe Diem. Now settled in Fort Collins, Megan is working on her master’s degree at Colorado State University in Student Affairs in Higher Education and works full time for GoAbroad, the website for meaningful travel. She also moonlights as a freelance education writer (most notably published on US News and World Report and USA Today) and regularly volunteers with the American Gap Association and the Women’s Foundation of Colorado.

ADITYA (ADY) MANRAL

Lucknow Christian College, B.Com., Commerce, Lucknow University, Post Graduate, Advertising and Public Relations

During his time at Lucknow Christian College in India, Ady served as a key member of the cultural society, planning and organizing various inter-college cultural events. After spending a couple of years working in advertising, Ady moved to the Himalayas and joined Woodstock International School as a dorm parent. There he had the opportunity to be part of an expedition that successfully summited Banderpoonch, a 20,600-foot peak in the Himalayas. In Woodstock, he has led many other student-centered cultural trips and treks around the country. Besides mountaineering, Ady is also a motorcycle enthusiast and has biked all over Rajasthan as well as embarking on a six-week trip to Bhutan from Mussoorie, India. Ady is a certified Wilderness First Responder and a professional singer-songwriter, along with his day jobs working as a residential supervisor at Woodstock School and a part-time job at a nature conservation reserve. Ady is fluent in English and Hindi. He co-led Putney’s Community Service India 2016 program.