SCHUYLER HEDSTROM | Director
Dartmouth College, B.A. English and Drama 

While at Dartmouth, Schuyler spent two semesters abroad, studying Spanish art history in Barcelona and drama with coaches from the Royal Shakespeare Company in London. He moved to Madrid in 2002 and started his own company, teaching Theatre in English to Spaniards of all ages. A Vermont native, Schuyler enjoys cooking, swimming, and yoga. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and Central America. This is Schuyler’s 21st summer with Putney Student Travel. He has led Exploration, Service, and Pre-College programs. He is excited to return to Tokyo this summer, having led programs there in 2018 and 2019. Schuyler is fluent in Spanish and Italian and proficient in Japanese.

BRIAN DUKIE | Assistant Director
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, B.A., Journalism and Media Studies 

While studying journalism in college, Brian also pursued Japanese language studies. Soon after graduation, he packed his bags and headed off to Japan in attempts to deepen his language skills, enjoy the culture, and discover the country’s world-renowned skiing and snowboarding. Brian currently teaches at Meijo University in Nagoya, Japan, assisting students who are preparing to study overseas. He also conducts workshops for inner city high schools, sharing his passion for teaching with the next generation. During his time in Japan, Brian also worked in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, running hospitality programs at several stadiums around the city. During the winter season, he puts his language skills to use as an interpreter and concierge at a ski lodge in the Japanese Alps, catering to the needs of international travelers. To balance it all out, he also works in the social media and public relations field for a telehealth company whose main mission is to combat the current opioid epidemic. When he’s not on the computer, at the ski lodge, or in the classroom, you can find him on the ski slopes, hiking mountains, playing ice hockey, or singing some karaoke. This is Brian’s fourth summer teaching on Pre-College Tokyo.

ANOUK ROSSEN | Program Assistant
The University of Tokyo, Ph.D., Applied Chemistry
Delft University of Technology, M.Sc., Science Education
Leiden University, M.Sc., Chemistry
Leiden University, B.Sc., Molecular Science and Technology 

After graduating high school, Anouk took a gap year to teach English Conversation in Kyoto, Japan. This experience left such an impression on her that she decided to return to Japan for a research internship at the University of Tokyo during her master’s and Ph.D. in 2019. At this time, she was introduced to the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which has now become one of her main passions and career pursuits in life. While in university, Anouk obtained her full teaching certification and has worked several jobs involving teaching, such as language teaching and sports coaching. Anouk now works as a Japanese language teacher, improving students’ confidence in speaking Japanese and furthering their dreams of traveling to Japan one day too. Anouk is fluent in Japanese, Dutch, and English, and proficient in German and French. This fall, Anouk will continue her training toward becoming a professional MMA fighter for the Japanese promotion DEEP JEWELS.

SAACHI SUBRAMANIAM | Program Assistant
Rutgers University & Cornell University, B.S., Environment & Sustainability (in progress)

While at Cornell, Saachi focused on fusing her international experience with Environment and Sustainability Studies. Before attending university, Saachi lived in Tokyo, Japan, for four years, where she attended middle and high school. She also researched Japanese mushrooms and their potential to break down food waste. While in Japan, Saachi spent her time teaching elementary school students science. She is now a full-time university student, helping to inspire radically inclusive and multidisciplinary environmentalists. Saachi is fluent in English and proficient in Japanese and Spanish.

BENJAMIN MACH | Fashion Design & History
University of Technology Sydney, School of Design, Architecture & Built Environment, Ph.D. (candidate)
Sydney Institute of Technology, Fashion Design Studio TAFE, B.A., Fashion Design 

While at S.I.T. Fashion Design Studio, Benjamin studied womenswear design focusing on the creative and technical aspects of creating apparel. After being awarded the Grand Marnier Evening Wear Award in his final year, he went on to launch his first collection under the spotlight of the national media and Australian fashion industry. This recognition led to various collaborations with textile artists, namely Indigenous Australian artist Robyn Caughlin, resulting in a runway presentation at Australian Fashion Week (2003) and a profile in Australian Vogue. Benjamin then moved to London and into a behind-the-scenes role, learning more about the fashion industry in a bigger playing field. He worked for notable brands, including Marchesa (couture), WINTLE (luxury menswear), and Roberto Torretta (womenswear) in Madrid. This experience had Benjamin traveling across Europe working with garment factories and fabric mills and showing collections at Paris Men’s Fashion Week and Madrid Fashion Week. After 10 years in London, Benjamin relocated to New York, where he was the first Australian designer to be a contestant on “Project Runway” (season 11), returning to compete in “Project Runway ALL STARS” (season 4) the next year. Still based in New York, Benjamin continues to design evening wear for private clients and explore the role of educator. He was the Education Director for the fashion school within the world-famous Mood Fabrics from 2015-2020. For the past six years Benjamin has also been Head Instructor & Mentor for the Brooklyn Fashion Academy, a program run by Brooklyn Public Library. Also in 2021, Benjamin became the Studio Technologist for the M.F.A. Fashion Design program at The Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC. He has also taught fashion design with Putney Pre-College programs in Vermont and in Barcelona. In 2024 Benjamin began research for his PhD with The University of Technology Sydney (by distance) focusing on research of sustainability in fashion. 

DAVIDE CACCIARI | International Business & Trade
Bocconi University and Keio University, M.Sc., Economic and Social Sciences
Bocconi University, B.A., Finance

While at Bocconi University, Davide focused on European integration studies and political consequences in Europe related to economic issues, where he also worked on writing an academic paper on the green transition. He also volunteered as a junior counselor at the CISV camp in the United States (Tennessee) where children from 12 nations spent the summer doing activities focused on peaceful conflict resolution. Davide studied in Japan during the final year of his bachelor’s degree, through an exchange program with Waseda University’s School of Commerce, and played chess for more than 5 years. His travels have taken him many places, including China, Russia, Thailand, and Japan. Davide now volunteers for a children’s cafeteria, and this fall will travel through Southeast Asia, then join the Bocconi research center to study public policy that could be implemented in Italy. He is fluent in English and proficient in Italian.

JUAN FELIPE ARROYAVE | Japanese Language: Out of the Classroom
University of Washington, Ph.D., Hispanic Studies; M.A., Hispanic Studies and Japanese Literature
Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, B.A., Communications

In a career spanning over 15 years in education and four different countries, Juan Felipe has taught classes at all levels, in public and private schools, and to students of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. After receiving his Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from University of Washington, he started doing comparative work between Japanese and Latin American art, which earned him a scholarship to spend a year in Yokohama, Japan, and inspired him to pursue a graduate degree in Japanese Literature. Juan Felipe is also an accomplished translator of classical Japanese poetry. In 2021, he published a Spanish edition of the Hyakunin Isshu, one of the most prominent collections of classical Japanese poetry, and is currently working on the first-ever English translation of Matsuo Basho’s Sumidawara. During his time in Japan, he also created content for an app focused on the history of Tokyo during the Edo period, when the country’s capital moved permanently from Kyoto. 

VANESSA BARAJAS | Photography
Columbia College, B.F.A., Photography and Illustration

Vanessa is a first-generation Mexican American and a multi-faceted artist with a double major in photography and illustration from Columbia College in Chicago. During her time in school, she gained national recognition for political cartooning while finding her footing in Chicago’s art and music scene as a performing guitarist and freelance illustrator and photographer. After graduating, she focused her energy on opening a shared art studio and community event space with an emphasis on accessible price points and a safe environment for people of all ages, genders, and orientations. Vanessa is an ever-growing photographer who embodies travel, culture, and music in her work and personal life. She is propelled by new countries, enlightenment, and ice cream flavors she has yet to try. This fall, after extended time in Indonesia, she will tour Japan with her band, teach a class on Film Photography, and make travel plans to Scotland. Vanessa has twice led Putney’s program in Italy & Greece.

COLIN REINEBERG | Technology & Innovation
University of the Arts (London), M.Sc., Data Science and AI, Diploma Creative Computing
University of Illinois, B.A., Philosophy 

While at University of Illinois at Chicago, Colin focused on Philosophy with an interest in aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology, and two years of Japanese. Upon graduating, Colin spent nearly 18 months in Japan where he taught English, studied programming, and learned Japanese. In 2022, Colin studied Creative Computing at the University of the Arts London, focusing on interactive media, design, and projection mapping. He has spent time in Thailand volunteering as a veterinary assistant with Rescue Paws, as well as organized concert tours and events with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Colin has spent time living and working in Berlin, Germany, as a freelancing musician with his own productions and scoring music for films. Currently, Colin is finishing his graduate studies in Data Science and AI, and will be continuing to fold together and merge his interests in music, technology, and art, as well as exploring new avenues of expression and creativity.