PPE student studying in Tennessee this semester through noted exchange program

Third-year philosophy, politics, and economics student Juan Facundo is spending the Fall semester on exchange at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Facundo is completing the exchange through the Killam Undergraduate Fellowships, one of the exchange programs offered through Mount Allison’s Exchange and Study Aboard program.

Facundo’s interest in Vanderbilt was sparked from a philosophy book, one he would get to know well during his exchange.

“I wanted to study at Vanderbilt because of a book called Transcendence and Wittgenstein's Tractatus written by Dr. Michael Hodges,” he explains. “It turned out that Dr. Hodges teaches undergraduate courses at Vanderbilt. Without much expectation, I e-mailed him about the opportunity and to my surprise he responded with enthusiasm about the possibility of coming to study with him. I’m taking two classes with him, Philosophy of Literature and American Philosophy.”

While at Vanderbilt, Facundo has pursued a full course load as well as an independent study.

“My exchange has been mostly centered around academics but I have been able to enjoy southern cooking and music,” he says. “Overall, I am very happy with my exchange, as it has allowed me to push myself academically with a variety of courses in philosophy and economics.”

Prior to studying at Mount Allison, Facundo graduated from Algonquin College in 2012 with an Aviation Management Diploma, and worked as a First Officer on the Airbus 320 for the national airline in Colombia. His career path shifted once back in Canada because of his interest in philosophy and international events.

“One of my main interests outside of academics is aviation,” says Facundo. “This was my career choice before I started at Mount Allison and continues to be one of my passions. Switching careers was a scary process, especially when one has put in as much effort as it takes to succeed in aviation. That said, it was the best decision that I could have made.”

Outside his studies, Facundo is the president of the Amnesty International chapter at Mount Allison University and is involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. He also plays soccer and spends time with his dogs Prudence and Chester.

The Killam Fellowships Program, through Fulbright Canada, provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students from universities in Canada and the United States to spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the other country.

Learn more about exchange opportunities, including Killam Fellowships at Mount Allison: mta.ca/international/studyabroad/