I am happy to write a letter of recommendation for Josh Fattal who is applying to be an International Honors Program (IHP) fellow in the Health and Community IHP program (spring 2009). The faculty with this program would be fortunate to have Josh as their fellow. I met Josh in 2002 when I was faculty with the “Global Ecology” (now “Rethinking Globalization”) program and traveled with him through England, India, the Philippines, New Zealand, and Mexico. I got to know Josh as a young man with a wonderful sense of humor, with the ability to get along with most everyone, and with a smart, inquisitive mind. We have been in touch from time to time over the intervening six years, and through his letters and his articles in the Aprovecho Newsletter, I knew that he had become an excellent writer with a keen sense for ecological practices and justice. I didn’t realize, however, how much he has done since I last saw him until I asked him to fill me in.

Since IHP, Josh has been working with Aprovecho where his roles have varied from developing curriculum to coordinating the organization. He has lots of experience working with young people. He has taught for Aprovecho, led internship sessions, organized and led week-long bike trips for groups, and has organized and led multi-day backpacking trips. In all of these experiences, he has had to deal with the unexpected and the problematic, excellent preparation for IHP.

Josh has a lot of leadership experience. Not only has he organized and led the programs mentioned above, but also he has created two new programs for Aprovecho focusing on health and ecology. He has created curriculum, schedules, and played a direct role in making the programs happen. Almost all of Josh’s work deals with aspects of “community.” His work with aspect of “health” include the programs with Aprovecho, and also a project directed at women’s health in Guatemala. In this project, he was involved in designing and building cook stoves that addressed problems of indoor air pollution.

From my experience, an IHP fellow needs to be someone who is organized and able to deal with details; someone who can get along with many different kinds of people, and also be able to be confront others respectfully when needed; someone who lives IHP values and philosophies; and someone who can infuse others with a sense of excitement, fun, and patience. I think Josh would do all of these things well, plus he would bring lots of knowledge about alternative technologies to the program as well as an ability to model for students ways in which they can help create the world in which they want to live. I highly recommend Josh for this fellowship.

Sincerely,

Corrine Glesne
Faculty and Past-program coordinator Washington D.C.
IHP International Honors Program