Recipients of this year's Watson Fellowships were recently announced: Sanam Sheriff '18, who is pursuing an independent major in creative writing, and Fatoumata Sylla '18, who is majoring in religion at Haverford, are among those chosen for the prestigious award. Fellows conceive original projects, execute them outside of the United States for one year, and embrace the ensuing journey.
Below are brief descriptions of their projects, including where they plan to travel, from the Watson website. More on each student's project will appear here in the weeks ahead.
Sanam Sheriff
Project: Women & Words: Healing Through Writing
Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Mauritius, Italy, Scotland, The Netherlands
Women around the world suffer traumas they are not afforded the space to name. This year I will explore how writing workshops create opportunities for women to tell their stories, own their narratives, and contribute to a process of healing. How can hearing trauma voiced by someone like you impact and inform your relationship with your own story?
Fatoumata Sylla
Project: Confronting & Healing Maternal Depression In Marginalized Communities
Senegal, Germany, South Africa
My Watson is focused on healing practices around maternal depression in marginalized communities. This year I will explore how communities employ non-medical healing methods in disenfranchised populations. I want to explore how these models adapt to aid women in communities with socio-economic and cultural barriers towards mental health intervention.
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship is a one-year grant for purposeful, independent exploration outside the United States, awarded to graduating seniors nominated by one of 40 partner colleges.
Applying for a Watson Fellowship
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