JAIMIE SPETSERIS
The University of Georgia, B.A., Journalism, Public Relations, minor in Spanish

While at the University of Georgia, Jaimie studied abroad in Cádiz, Spain, and traveled around Europe for a summer. After college, she worked for an advertising agency in Atlanta, Georgia, until her desire to travel, speak Spanish, and teach English took her to Bogotá, Colombia, where she lived for a year, and explored South America. Jaimie continued to travel through Central America, where she volunteered at a sustainable eco-ranch in Costa Rica and a beach lodge with a turtle hatchery in Nicaragua. Once back in the U.S., Jaimie moved to the San Bernardino mountains in Southern California and worked as an instructor at an outdoor science school, eventually becoming a coordinator and a Wilderness First Responder certified medic. Jaimie’s other experience includes leading a Student Conservation Crew in the Blueridge Parkway and working at summer camps. Jaimie’s passion for adventure abroad took her to Queenstown, New Zealand, where she worked at a law firm supporting the resource management team and exploring the breathtaking outdoors in her free time. Jaimie has now returned to Southern California and the outdoor science school, where she works as the medical director. Jaime has led Putney’s community service programs to Costa Rica, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, as well as Cultural Exploration Fiji, New Zealand, & Australia.

STEPHEN ALEXIS
St. Francis College, B.S., Business Management

While studying business at Saint Francis College, Stephen fostered his love for travel while participating in the Semester at Sea study abroad program, which gave him the opportunity to experience several Mediterranean countries by boat over the course of a summer semester. Since graduation, Stephen has traveled to over 40 countries while participating in numerous volunteer projects, ranging from ambulance donation in Latin America to rainforest protection projects in India. He has also worked as a middle school fencing instructor, instilling diligence, persistence, patience, and mental fortitude within young children. In partnership with the YMCA Global Teens Program, Stephen has led high school students on ecology immersion summer trips to California and the Pocono mountain range in New York. In his work, he seeks to encourage youth to get out of their comfort zone and engage with new cultures, new languages, and new traditions. Currently Stephen is developing a fencing brand geared at engaging middle school students.