2017 BFTF Fellows
Meet the 2017 Fellows
European Fellows
Albania Marvi
This technophile is burgeoning global citizen. We are sure that Marvi will be revolutionizing the internet very soon.
Armenia Henrik
Henrik knows how to market. Those skills will certainly come in handy as he takes his European Youth Parliament experience to leading the youth of Armenia.
Austria Lisney
Lisney always gets an early START on the day, waking up at 4:30 in the morning. We’re sure that her and her roommates will definitely be on time each morning.
Azerbaijan Mahammad
This future engineer in alternative energy production will also help build bridges between the US and Azerbaijan. That’ll be one long bridge!
Belarus Dziyana
Don’t let the picture fool you. Be wary of getting into an argument with Dziyana, she is a vocal leader in her Debate Club. But as an active member in her community, we are sure she argues for the right side.
Belgium Marie
This future neurosurgeon can really pick your brain. When Marie is not making award winning videos, she is helping to teach kids how to swim.
Bosnia & Herzegovina Selma
Look out youth of BiH! Selma is going to learn some mad skills at BFTF to help her lead her community in change.
Bulgaria David
David is sure to fit in at the BFTF. His love of politics and international affairs will definitely be shared by 54 other Fellows. We are sure he will use his exceptional photography skills to document the experience.
Croatia Ema
The future of journalism is strong in Croatia. This skilled debater and warrior for the free press believes it important to “tell the world, inform the youth.”
Cyprus Gervaise
Gervaise is a Model UN extraordinaire. Skilled in leadership with the political acumen to get things done. We are sure that after the Ben, Cyprus will never be the same.
Czech Republic Michael
If you have an IT problem, Michael is your man. And when he is not messing with computer keys, Michael is tickling piano keys. We’re hoping Michael will share those talents with us. After he’s done with his work out, of course.
Denmark Almin
The UN could save money on translators if they just hire Almin. He knows 9 languages! Our guess is that he speaks fluent Klingon and Elvish, as well. But he’s just being modest.
Estonia Eva
How many Fellows can say they have been on national TV? Well, we know of one. All of Estonia knows Eva, and when we need an emcee for our events, we know who to contact.
Finland Arina
Interests in biochemical engineering, E. Coli, Carbon Catabolite Repression!? And she participates in Model UN, ICJ, and conference planning!? Her future is so bright, she has to wear shades. Arina is definitely a machine.
France Valentine
Sacre bleu! Valentine spends a lot of time studying free speech, democracy, and economic growth. The Ben sounds like a perfect home for her.
Georgia Inna
Ina’s home town has more letters than the English alphabet. We are looking forward to hearing her pronounce it. Guess that is why she is so good as spelling bees.
Germany Mahlet
Historically, the health of a democracy was measured by free and public discourse in salons. Be sure to ask Mahlet about the “Political Salon” she runs, keeping students engaged with local politicians and business leaders.
Greece Spyros
Hailing from one of the many Greek Isles (the picture gives it away), Spyridon is a lover of technology, economics, and diplomacy. The perfect ingredients for one heck of a social entrepreneur.
Hungary Boglarka
This tenacious Hungarian is an active member in her community and with AFS students. Boglarka is sure to be an exceptional fundraiser who will definitely use the skills she learns at the BFTF to make the world a better place.
Iceland Ásthildur
The charity events in Iceland must be so well-organized. Why? It’s most likely that Ásthildur planned them, communicating with all the volunteers in one of her many languages.
Ireland Robin
Our first ever fellow from Ireland! We’re so excited to hear about Robin’s exploits with Foróige. She might even do a speech about it; we know she has the skills to wow her audience.
Italy Valeria
Valeria is no heel. She has a passion for physics and computers. Our guess is that she is likely to develop a new Android platform, unless Apple hires her first.
Kosovo Arta
Fighting for empowerment, Arta is an exceptional mentor for Kosovo’s youth. Her penchant for tutoring and leadership are definitely within the wheelhouse of the Ben.
Latvia Kristiana
When she is not swimming, this triathlete is more than happy to talk about her experience in entrepreneurship. Kristiana is committed to improving an educational environment for local youth. Perhaps there is a business opportunity out there.
Lithuania Gintare
The BFTF is a pretty intense experience, so we are sure we can use a “Chill Zone.” We’ll call upon this future teacher to help develop this space for working together. We just hope Gintare doesn’t require us to all wear badges.
Luxembourg Lara
Lara must be looking forward to the debate class. Be careful fellow Fellows; she knows how to argue in the classroom, the football pitch, and the stage. Hopefully, she will share her poetry and guitar skills with us.
Malta Benjamin
We found a picture of Benjamin in his natural element. This National Youth Parliamentarian is a leader in passing legislation. We are sure Mayor Benjamin’s pursuit of law and international affairs will lead to him passing even more legislation.
Moldova Mihaela
Mihaela, a burgeoning sociologist, is a dedicated activist in combating discrimination of all types. Her commitment to fighting the good fight has earned her a great deal of respect from her community.
Montenegro Kristina
When Kristina is not tutoring children in English, she is leading her school’s Student Parliament. These skills will serve her well as she pursues a degree in law.
Netherlands Oliver
This future International Business student at Maastricht University has a love of learning about other cultures (especially the foods of Italy, we assume). We are sure he will learn about many different global perspectives while at the Ben.
Norway Nariman
Nariman is political active and wants to study law. This sounds like a dangerous combination in her commitment to improving community dialogue. The picture background says it all.
Poland Julia
In the long tradition of Polish Fellows, Julia really knows America. If you are interested in any aspect of American trivia, ask Julia. She likely knows more about the US than us!
Portugal Ana
With interests ranging from math to philosophy, Ana can connect with almost anyone. Her pursuit of learning Bulgarian is only evidence of that commitment. When she is not by the sea, Ana passes the time swimming or refereeing.
Romania Mihai-Petre
Mihai-Petre is truly well-balanced, his interests are rooted in ecology. Wake Forest could certainly use more trees, perhaps we can get Mihai-Petre to use his tree planting skills to help us out.
Russia Oleg
Every year, there is a contest as to who travels the furthest to the Ben. Oleg definitely has a strong case. He will have time to think about ways we can break down cultural stereotypes. We think the hat is a step in the right direction.
Serbia Dunja
Like Benjamin Franklin, Dunja’s interests vary far and wide. From medicine to history to music, Dunja is a modern day renaissance woman. She uses her talents to tackle a variety of community issues.
Slovak Republic Lenka
This entrepreneurial and innovative Slovakian native knows how to jump start an economy. Maybe we can get Lenka to teach us about how to create an effective startup.
Slovenia Vanja
Maybe it is something in the water, but the Slovenian fellows always seems to be a dancer. Vanja keeps up the tradition. We are hoping she waltzes onto the stage to share her talents.
Spain Ignacio
Ignacio knows the value of the freedom of expression, just ask. Beyond his interest in open discussion, he is an ardent ecologist and social media lover. Ignacio does not seem to have any pictures of him on the internet. This is the only picture that shows up under his name.
Switzerland Evan
Hailing from the French speaking part of Switzerland, this future diplomat is a lover of geopolitics. Evan is going to need those passions as he attempts to promote peace in the Middle East.
Turkey Eyyup
A lover of both the arts and sciences, Eyyup is the ultimate team player. His hardworking, passionate, and engaging.
Ukraine Anna
This Kharkiv National University student is pursuing an education in English/Chinese translations. Anna truly embraces the international experience! She even dances on bridges.
United Kingdom Iram
There are many BFTF Fellows that are talented in Debate. But Iram tops them all; she has the trophies to prove it.
U.S. Fellows
Alaska Jode
Two years in a row a fellow from Alaska! But no one keeps Jode in a basket. His experience working on Capitol Hill steels him for the rough and tumble world of politics.
Arizona Brooklyn
Hailing from the great Southwest, this desert delegate knows her history. Brooklyn rocks the world of American history. We would definitely want her on our trivia team.
Arizona Leshawn
We predict the following sentence to be uttered in 2036: “From the great Grand Canyon State, President Leshawn”. He’s off to a good start by winning student body president. He is already appealing to the patriotic element of the electorate.
Arizona Raphaella
Greatness comes in three! Also from the Grand Canyon State is yet another wonder. Raphaella is a talented musician and organizing. When she is not running Sock N’ Go, she is delivering TED talks.
Kentucky Madhu
This dominating debater from the Bluegrass State is an ardent environmentalist. There is no hot air when Madhu cooly argues for improving our environment. Girl-up!
North Carolina Emily
Are you looking for someone to run your next campaign? Then you better talk to Emily. After she runs Leshawn’s successful 2036 campaign, we’re sure she’ll get her choice of Ambassadorship in Europe.
North Carolina Farah
Like Ignacio, Farah does not have much of a presence on the internet. But she is definitely present in her community as a volunteer for promoting childhood education. Unlike Ignacio, she seems to be maintain a youthful appearance. They grow up so fast!
North Carolina Lillian
This world traveler has already climbed many steps. Lillian is an athlete, thespian, scholar, and lover of languages. We believe she will pick up at least three more languages during her time at the Ben.
North Carolina Raghad
When she is not getting henna tattoos, Raghad is cracking jokes. Every Ben has a comedian, and that sense of humor will come in handy on long bus rides to Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania Cheyenne
Speaking of Philadelphia, this dapper dancer knows what to do with a good beat. Cheyenne is in more dance clubs and organizations than we can count. We’re hoping she finds a way to the stage at this year’s talent show.
Tennessee Mariam
Mighty Mariam from Memphis is a dedicating member of her community. When she is not marching for equal rights, Mariam is combatting prejudice through countless organizations. Sounds like Ben material.