Recently, I was traveling to Middlebury College, via Philadelphia and Plattsburgh, New York for a softball prospect camp and college visit.  Our flight from Philadelphia to Plattsburgh was delayed.  Delayed flights often lead to conversation with other passengers; especially when the flight is such a small one.  Literally the gate agent asked for a show of hands of all those in the boarding area headed to Plattsburgh.  At that point, a lady said, “I take this flight all the time and it is never cancelled.  Don’t worry.”   She asked where we were from.  I shared that we are from South Carolina (Charlotte area) headed to Middlebury, Vermont.  She asked what I was planning to study in college, and I shared that, I am leaning toward Anthropology with a minor in Archeology and a possible double major in Arabic studies.  The lady looked shocked and then smiled.

She then proceeded to share that her daughter studied Anthropology and Arabic studies as an undergraduate.  Her daughter is now in graduate school, but each summer she gets to do the coolest thing.  Her daughter travels to Kenya to spend six weeks studying and working at the Koobi Fora Field School for Anthropology-specifically paleoanthropology.

Long story short, this very friendly lady gave me her and her daughter’s contact information with me.  I reached out to her daughter and we were able to have a call last week.  Madison (the daughter and my new friend) explained to me that this particular program that she participates in is a fellowship.  I asked her about the application process and what she had learned.  This  fellowship is an honor and privilege in that, it takes place at one of the earliest known sites and once a participant is granted access, that person is essentially able to study at Koobi Fora as part of the fellowship for life.  We agreed to stay in touch as my college plans become more concrete.  I now have a mentor that I never expected.

The moral of the story, you never know who you will meet on your travels and where the journey will lead.  Be kind, have conversations, learn about your fellow travelers.  The journey is truly a part of the destination story.