HELP in New York, New Hampshire, and Illinois!
HELP’s study abroad program is now in its third year, and this past summer HELP students attended Cornell University, Dartmouth College, and a leadership conference in Illinois.
Since 2012, the Ming Tian Fund for Haiti’s Tomorrow has made it possible for a finishing HELP student to spend a six-week summer session at Cornell working on their mandatory undergraduate thesis under the direction of a professor. Marc-Evens Cadet (agronomy ’13) was the first beneficiary of the program last summer, working with Professor Ken Hover analyzing the properties of river sediments in Haiti for use in building materials. When Marc-Evens presented his thesis at the State University of Haiti in May, Claude Prepetit, a pre-eminent Haitian geologist and member of the jury, called the research “pioneering.”
Nemdia Daceney (economics ’14) was this summer’s beneficiary of the Ming Tian scholarship, conducting research for her thesis on the impact of free trade zones in Haiti. “Ever since my mother resigned from her work at an industrial park outside Port-au-Prince and I heard her complaints about the factory, I’ve always wanted to know more about Haiti’s free zones and how to critique their performance through an economic lens,” Nemdia explains. She worked under Professor Nancy Chau of Cornell’s Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, who guided Nemdia through analytical models in behavioral economics. Professor Chau said Nemdia’s thesis involved an advanced topic and heavy workload normally taken on by graduate students, but with her focus and commitment, Nemdia was able to complete most of her thesis work during her time at Cornell. “Initially, I was intimidated by the idea of doing research on this scale,” Nemdia recalls, “but I’ve learned not to be afraid of my goals or my own drive.” Professor Chau was equally impressed, telling The Cornell Chronicle, “I hope that students like Nemdia will have more opportunities to continue their studies at Cornell. They’re really the cream of the crop and their passion for learning is truly an inspiration.” Back in Haiti, Nemdia says her experience at Cornell has clarified her professional ambitions: “Through my research, I realized that my place is in the public sector where I can use my skills to contribute to change in Haiti by developing strong economic policies and tools.”
About 300 miles northeast of Ithaca, in Hanover, NH, Landy-Sabrina Cyprien and Steeve Maxilien (both agronomy ’15) spent 10 weeks at Dartmouth’s summer term, taking classes, participating in labs and internships, and connecting with a local family. In addition to a course in their major, Sabrina and Steeve both took a class on the sociology of international development. Sabrina’s course in ecological agriculture included a weekly lab at the Dartmouth Organic Farm, where students monitored the evolution of plants throughout the term. “On the last day of the lab, everyone got to present their crop to the whole class,” says Sabrina. “I talked about the development of my sunflower seed, and it was amazing to see each student present their own plant and how they were able to enhance its potential. Some students brought food they made with their crops, and I tried a lot of interesting new things that day like kohlrabi, asparagus, artichokes, and summer squash!” The class also visited three other area farms and participated in labs on aquaculture, soil development, evolution, and chemistry.
Beyond academics, Steeve and Sabrina lived in the Dartmouth dorms and met regularly with Carolyn and Milton Frye, who have generously served as a host family for HELP students since 2010. Now back in Haiti for her second-to-last year at Quisqueya, Sabrina says, “My study abroad experience was very enriching, from learning new concepts in my classes to meeting new people, to improving my confidence with English. I have brought back a new view of the world with me and am excited to share it with others. I feel better able to participate in work related to social change and development, both at HELP and in my future.”
Josué Celiscar (agronomy ’15) also got the opportunity to enrich his normal course of study with a visit to the U.S. this summer. Josué was chosen by HELP from among all third-year students to attend the week-long LeaderShape conference in Champaign, Illinois, which brings together young people from across the Americas to build leadership skills. Josué’s favorite workshops focused on working with groups, managing personalities (including your own), and developing and maintaining a project’s mission. “I learned the value of being more patient and ways to improve my listening,” says Josué. “I now have even more skills to put towards helping people in my community."
We look forward to seeing the many ways in which these students’ summer experiences will continue to translate into their work at university, at HELP, and beyond. Many, many thanks to the Ming Tian Fund, Dartmouth, Cornell, and the rest of our partners for making these unique opportunities available to our students!