2026 ABC Cohort
Akash Nayak
My name is Akash Nayak, and I am a junior double majoring in Economics and International Relations. I am co-director of DisinfoLab, the managing editor of The Monitor Journal of International Relations, and a research assistant for the Bridging Divides Initiative. Previously, I've interned with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and was awarded the Critical Language Scholarship and Luce ASIANetwork Scholarship to study Hindi. I hope to pursue a career in foreign policy, collaborating with international communities on issues related to development, disinformation, and democratic backsliding. I also enjoy playing soccer, chess, and supporting my floor of first years as a Resident Assistant. I am excited to connect with the community in Bosnia and explore Sarajevo this summer!
Dora O'Connor
Hi! My name is Dora O’Connor, and I am a junior double-majoring in History and Religion. Before transferring, I was a coxswain for the University of Washington’s Women’s rowing team. I have volunteered and worked as a youth rowing coach during college breaks since my final year of high school. At William and Mary, I am most heavily involved as a researcher for Dr. Holly White’s Children of the American Revolution Project, where I am looking into the lives of the Black Loyalists who left with the British in 1783. Off campus, I am a legal clerk for a local law firm that specializes in estate management. I am an active member of William and Mary’s club sailing team, and in my free time can be found on the water, sewing, or figuring out how to get to a mountain.
Landen Broocke
My name is Landen Broocke, and I’m a junior at William & Mary majoring in History and Government! I’m especially drawn to international education and Eastern European history, which makes the ABC Project the perfect intersection of my academic and personal passions. I was in the third Global Scholars cohort, where I got the chance to explore my interest in foreign policy through hands-on experiences. During my time here, I have also gotten involved in the Educational Policy Committee, choir, my sorority, and literacy tutoring with the Arc of Williamsburg. In my free time, I enjoy reading, staying active, and crafting. I am so excited for this chance to learn collaboratively with Bosnian students and co-teachers, apply my studies to real-world contexts, and grow through this meaningful experience!
Talia Holzman
Hi! My name is Talia Holzman, and I am a junior majoring in Government with a minor in Philosophy. When I am not in class, I play on and am the president of the William and Mary Women’s Rugby Team. Before transferring, I researched conservative reactions to the Civil Rights Movement and participated in a Humanities Fellowship centered around dialogue across difference. This past summer, I had the opportunity to intern at National Council of Jewish Women, advocating for basic needs programs and reproductive justice. I am interested in political philosophy, civic trust, and collective memory within communities. In my free time, I love reading, listening to music, and hiking. I am extremely excited to participate in this impactful project and meet everyone!
Šejla Stovrag-Šandal
Hello everyone, my name is Šejla Stovrag-Šandal, a 23-year-old student at the University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Philosophy, currently living near Sarajevo. I completed Secondary Medical School, and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in a teacher education program. In the future, I would like to work in the field of education, possibly combining my medical background with teaching. In terms of experience, I have limited formal teaching practice, but I have given private lessons to one child for a short period of time, which helped me develop basic teaching and communication skills. I am a very communicative and open person who enjoys working with people. I especially like interacting with students and creating a positive and engaging environment. I would describe myself as extroverted, friendly, and enthusiastic. Regarding languages, my native language is Bosnian, and I am also fluent in English. I have a basic knowledge of German. I am also proficient in Croatian. In my free time, I enjoy cooking and watching series.
Adna Dervišević
Hello! My name is Adna Dervišević. I am a fifth-year MA student of English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo, currently involved in a teacher training program. Alongside my studies, I work with children, teaching them English. I also volunteer at an association of people with disabilities, where I strive to raise awareness about the importance of inclusion. As part of this work, I have participated in meetings organized by the United Nations related to the rights of people with disabilities. Last year, I participated in the ABC Project, where I developed my intercultural competencies and further enhanced my teaching skills and confidence. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors, running, singing, and reading books.
Irma Kadić
Hi! I am Irma Kadić, a fourth-year Master’s student in English Language and Literature, specializing in Teaching. Throughout my studies, I have gained valuable practical experience by working in two elementary schools, and I am currently working in an asylum Centre. This experience has allowed me to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds, which has strengthened my intercultural awareness and communication skills. I believe this makes me a strong fit for the ABC project, as I can bring both professional experience and an open-minded, culturally sensitive approach. I am a very active person who enjoys mountain climbing and hiking, and I am passionate about working with children. I am excited to be part of this project and to share my enthusiasm, energy, and love for teaching. I am also deeply interested in languages, and in addition to English, I speak Turkish and Spanish.
Adna Mahmutović
Hello! My name is Adna Mahmutović, and I am a first-year master’s student in English Language and Literature, with a focus on teaching. Working with children has always been something I am deeply passionate about, and I have had the opportunity to gain meaningful hands-on experience in educational settings that have truly shaped who I am. I have always had a love of languages, which naturally drew me to my field of study, and I am currently learning Italian, adding yet another language to my journey. I am incredibly excited to be part of this program and to bring my enthusiasm for language, literature, and learning into a collaborative, impactful environment. Outside of my studies, I love exploring nature, whether it’s discovering new hiking trails, wandering through forests, or simply soaking in the outdoors. I look forward to this experience and to connecting with everyone involved!