The 20th cohort of 2024 Bezos Scholars reflected on their experience while in Aspen, participating in the 20th Aspen Ideas Festival. We hope you enjoy these creative and inspiring perspectives from six Scholars to learn more about what they did, who they met, and most of all, how they felt.

Olivia Farmer’s Reflection: Student Scholar from Westland, MI

I will always remember my Aspen experience. From my first time on a plane to meeting the people I see on a screen every month in person, I started a journey that I never expected to go on, and that has already changed who I am.

Arriving in Aspen felt like a dream: The beautiful mountainous scenery and the liveliness of the people I met while there ignited excitement and comfort in me. Joining a community of Scholars full of open-minded, bright individuals with impeccable humor and extraordinary ideas was unforgettable. I felt like I met a forever family. We formed bonds with students and educators that impacted us deeply and instilled a sense of community and belonging. Using the power of our fierce bonds, we explored the Aspen Ideas Festival, carrying our courage and ideas to spread something the festival lacked: youth representation and their ideas.

Something that has stuck with me from my experience was one of our speaker sessions with Manuel Oliver, an activist and father who lost his son, Joaquin, to gun violence in a tragic mass shooting at Parkland High School. From that experience, he and his wife Patricia started Change the Ref. This movement raises awareness about mass shootings and works to reduce the influence of the NRA and gun manufacturers through strategic interventions and by using art. His story, vulnerability, and how he transformed his grief into making change continue to amaze and motivate me. Sitting around the table, soaking in the room’s emotion, tears began falling down my face as I felt comfortable enough to show fellow Scholars my emotions and sadness. That is what the Bezos Scholars Program is: an open community that allows you to be you and transparently express yourself without judgment. I learned that pain can be a driving factor for change, a lesson I plan to use in the future.

Walking around the festival and meeting different people, I grew a sense of confidence that I often lack. I spoke to Shauna Carey about the amazing work the organization she runs, IDEO.org, has done in Detroit. I was interviewed by Joanna Smith-Ramani, the Co-Executive Director of the Aspen Institute’s Financial Security Program, about the importance of ensuring all young people have the savings and resources they need to follow their dreams. Through these opportunities, I came to realize that my voice is valuable. I have the potential to spark change, a revolution even.

These experiences are something I would have never had in my home city, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities have ignited a flame in me to use my voice for change. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us and the change we, the youth, will make for our communities.

Nandi Mgwaba’s Reflection: Educator Scholar from Durban, South Africa

I took a deep breath when flying over the mountainous peaks of Colorado towards Aspen, marveling at the beauty. The Bezos Scholars Program is all about community. An environment to challenge ourselves and think outside our individuality. A call to connect to our higher purpose and an experience to think differently while staying grounded in the diversity of our experiences. I saw the mountains and was in awe of the feeling of being breathlessly insignificant. I saw a whole new view. People, like mountains, are a collection of stories that grow, shifting shape with every context and experience. What will I experience these next few days, and how will it help me connect to myself and the world around me?

At first, Aspen can be overwhelming. While matching each person to their face from our earlier Zoom meetings was exciting, I felt imposter syndrome set in. Still, I found confidence in my fellow educator Scholar Anna’s words, who affirmed that most systems were not built for people who look like us, so we cannot be imposters. Not being bound by systems that were never for us gave me the freedom to show up as I am.

My time with my cohort included small moments and big breakthroughs in self-discovery and critical thinking. Their words and experiences changed me. I learned so much from our notable speakers and I learned so much more from Scholars' ideas and how they interacted with each other. I was able to excitedly talk about books with Virginia, debrief the day with Carla over a cup of tea, be amazed by Kamar’s dope doodles as she listened to those around her, and see my students from the African Leadership Academy laugh and shine as they took in new content on a new continent.

One question I grappled with throughout my time in Aspen was, “What does it mean to be uncomfortable”? When disagreeing with someone, how can we find the gem of truth in their perspective and meet each other “out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing,” as the poet Rumi reminds us? Time and time again, I looked to Scholars for wisdom. Everyone taught me something. Evan initiated respectful dialogue with someone whose ideologies went against his very humanity. Tatenda, Hanna, Kamar and Lizzie calmly answered questions as they spoke on festival panels about their passions and purpose. Sundoes brought so much energy and confidence that even Mike Bezos couldn’t help but salsa dance during our closing celebration.

I am struck by how much our community already cares deeply about one another. This filled my cup in ways I didn’t even know I needed. It gave me a fresh set of eyes to see the world differently, understand others more, and appreciate the diversity of our experiences. It enriches us all for the better. A final piece of wisdom from Aspen came from Angelica, who asked, “What about the people who are not here? The people who could not fit into our suitcases and join us”? What could it look like to leverage our privileges for the benefit of others? Learn everything you can so you uplift others when returning home. Aspen was a poignant reminder of what it means to pay it forward.

Kamar Sati’s Reflection: Student Scholar from Champlin, MN

Coming from Minnesota’s forest and prairie landscape, I had never seen such beautiful mountains as in Aspen. It was exciting and new to be there—a perfect embodiment of what this trip meant. On our first day there, the entire cohort seemed bewitched by our wonderful environment: the great snowy mountains, the clear blue skies, and the white floating cottonwood tree’s seed fluff that was everywhere. As we learned more about Aspen, some of us set one ridiculous goal: to see a bear.

As the week went on, most of our trip consisted of attending the Aspen Ideas Festival. We sat in on panels on various topics— from immigration to Shakespeare to global affairs to education to AI. Some cohort members were even invited to be interviewed or speak on panels. We listened, learned, asked questions and engaged as much as possible. There was so much to take in and nothing we’d want to miss. From speaking with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to listening to NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, everyone we talked to inspired something in us. Every day was a new, exciting adventure, and every night, we wondered how the next day could top the last.

If we weren’t on campus, we explored the area, visited the local shops, hiked, went out for dinner and ice cream, or simply sat in our hotel lobby cracking jokes with fellow Scholars until late into the night. Wonderful moments came, and if you blinked for too long, they left without another word. But if you stayed present, they became vibrant memories that will never be forgotten.

As the last day came creeping upon us, we realized we never quite met the goal we set out to achieve, seeing a bear in the wild. While we didn’t see a bear on our trip, what we got from this experience was much more than that—learning from great speakers, building both professional and personal relationships, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Although we were sad our trip ended, we left feeling incredibly motivated and inspired. I say that’s better than seeing any wild bear.

Albert Westbrook’s Reflection: Student Scholar from Dallas, TX

A lack of breath, aching feet, and ears plugged to the point of barely being able to hear; this scenario would sound like a challenge to anyone. Yet, while staring at a mountain in Aspen, these factors were part of a trip where I conquered everything that prevented me from discovering who I am. Traveling to Aspen was my first time on an airplane, and despite how horrifying it was to be 40,000 feet in the air, the scariest part of my week was simply getting off the plane.

Being hundreds of miles from home and about to meet people whose faces I had never seen outside of a square on my laptop required a lot of courage. Yet, once I stepped into the airport and saw everyone’s faces light up, my fear disappeared, and an unfamiliar feeling emerged, a feeling I couldn’t pinpoint, but was unmistakable. This feeling remained with me throughout the first half of the week, only growing in intensity as I attempted to prepare myself for what was to come.

Eventually, the intense and sharp nature of this feeling halted after we met with a speaker attending the festival named Dixon Chibanda, the founder of The Friendship Bench. During this meeting, Dr. Chibanda shared a heartbreaking story, which was the catalyst behind his founding The Friendship Bench and his journey in supporting and caring for others battling mental illness in a non-clinical and more accessible way. After his talk, I had the chance to speak with him directly. Besides being the founder of a global organization that has helped thousands, he was one of the most grounded people I’ve ever met.

While talking to Dr. Chibanda, I discovered what that nagging feeling was that had been with me since I arrived. My entire time in Aspen, I had been surrounded by great minds and heroes who had accomplished amazing things. Yet, regardless of who it was, their “cape” eventually came off, exposing their humanity. They, like me, laughed, cried, and, more notably, doubted themselves.

Until this point, my experience in Aspen had been shrouded by hesitancy. No matter how often I heard that I belonged there, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was “the pity pick,” and there was something fundamentally different about me. The feelings I was now experiencing were the complete antithesis of this. As I got to know the other Scholars and people at the festival, these individuals, whom I once viewed as massive names surrounded by accomplishments I’d never achieve, dissolved into friends, family, and people I could rely on.

My journey in Aspen taught me that even the most accomplished individuals are human, with doubts and vulnerabilities. This realization instilled a newfound sense of belonging and confidence that will guide my future endeavors.

Amy Zhou’s Reflection: Student Scholar from Miami, FL

Cruising through the lush mountains for the final time, I basked in my friends’ lively chatter, committing each voice to memory. I could never have imagined we would become as close as a family in just six days.

When we were thrust out of our home cities, we were all unsure of what to expect but eager to explore. As Aspen Institute President Dan Porterfield advised us, I resolved to practice courage consciously and go for the opportunities before me—not only the food and festival goodies but also the precious chance to connect with people whose wisdom, experience, and expertise have transformed lives.

Each Scholar speaker introduced an innovative approach to tackling issues, from Dixon Chibanda, who engaged his community in making therapy free and accessible, to Shauna Carey, whose organization provides human-centered design strategies to optimize nonprofit projects. Some dealt with intensely emotional topics like Vidhya Ramalingam’s work at Moonshot to interrupt and provide services to those engaging in online hate and violent extremism or Manuel Oliver’s poignant campaign for gun violence prevention and reform. Behind each persona and organization’s success lay gems of wisdom and inspiration.

It felt surreal to meet the people behind the famous names, interview them and pose for photos together. Aspen revealed a world I would have never otherwise seen—one of seeming perfection, built on the foundations of privilege. The Aspen Ideas Festival challenged the status quo yet exemplified it. It gave us a bird’s-eye view of the world, temporarily removed from the real-world issues we discussed.

Our activities pushed me to reflect and question my old thought patterns. Participating in a team-building puzzle-solving activity using tangram pieces had me rethinking how I instinctively approached problem-solving, competition, and teamwork. Throughout the week, my minor challenges taught me what I needed to improve, and my wins reassured me of my strengths.

Every day was intellectually demanding but so rewarding. With every shared experience, we understood each other better and deepened our connection. I still remember our students’ night out to dinner as if it were yesterday. Gasping and clutching our stomachs over a juicy steak, I had felt such pure, simple joy and togetherness that I wanted to preserve the moment forever. On our last evening together—gasping at incredible magic show tricks and my fellow Scholars’ performances, then dancing the Cupid Shuffle, all of us moving as one—I had sore cheeks from grinning for so long. However, the quieter moments left a deeper mark: a comforting hand on my shoulder and voices so kind and grounding in a vulnerable hour. Despite tears, we were all smiling, bearing our most personal truths. That feeling of trust and support will stay with me forever.

“It feels like we’ve known each other for a long time,” one Scholar remarked. I couldn’t agree more. Leaving Aspen felt like the end of a chapter. Faces pressed to the shuttle window, we waved to the remaining Scholars, craning our necks as we drove away. Yet, whenever I see everyone’s faces on Zoom or hear the pings from our group chat, I remind myself our trip was only the first scene of an unfinished story—the birthplace of bonds strong enough to unite us worldwide. The rest we will write together.

Carla Rodas-Piña’s Reflection: Educator Scholar from Greenacres, FL

The 20th cohort of Bezos Scholars embarked on a transformative journey to the Aspen Ideas Festival this past June. Immersed in discussions with global leaders and fellow young changemakers and educators, we explored topics ranging from Artificial Intelligence to mental health to social justice. Inspired, Scholars returned home to plan and implement our Community Change Projects with passion and determination. Over the next year, projects will flourish, significantly impacting our communities and beyond.

The time spent at the festival shaped our futures as compassionate leaders committed to driving positive change and creating special relationships that will undoubtedly last a lifetime. When I asked my fellow Scholars to come up with one word to describe their experience in Aspen, here is what they shared: amazing, transformative, inspiring, thought-provoking, unreal, eye-opening, enchanting, life-changing, invigorating, affirming, surreal, fulfilling, “awen” [the Welsh word for inspiration], superb, deepening, motivating, extraordinary, infiltrating, inexplicable and a crazy wonderful time.

Over the next year, educator Scholars will be student Scholars' biggest cheerleaders; supporting them while sitting back and watching them do what they do best: changing the world!