Roxana Sara Norouzi, a 2010 University of Washington graduate from Kirkland, is one of 14 UW students who have received Bonderman Travel Fellowships. Students traveling with this $20,000 fellowship set off on solo journeys that are at least eight months long and take them to at least two regions of the world. While traveling, students may not pursue academic study, projects, or research. UW graduate students, undergraduate students in the Honors Program and in UW Tacoma’s Global Honors Program are eligible to apply.

As an advocate for immigrant rights, Norouzi, who earned her master’s of social work degree in community-centered integrative practice, has spent many years as a housing advocate for immigrant families in crisis. She has volunteered for a women’s empowerment microfinance organization in rural India and has researched immigrant youth’s experiences of racism in public schools.

With the Bonderman Fellowship, Norouzi will travel to the Middle East, East Africa and Latin America, regions of the world that have undergone socio-political and economic turmoil which have instigated migration trends.

The application process includes an essay and interview with a selection committee. The selection committee is comprised of University faculty and staff and former Bonderman Fellows.