KOURTNEY BRAFF HARPER
1991-92 Traveling Fellow
Animation & Cartooning
Kourtney’s project was an exploration of animation techniques and the role of animation in various cultures. Following her experience, she wrote and published an illustrated memoir of her experiences, Marks & Remarks on a Year of Traveling.
Hometown: Gainesville, GA
Majors: English and Art History
Kourtney is the Creative Director and Founder of Guy Fox, an innovative educational charity in London, England that creates innovative activities and publications to help children understand and explore the world around them.
At Vanderbilt, Kourtney was the Student President of the College of Arts & Sciences and served on the Speakers Committee, VUcept Board, and as “The Book” Editor.
“Most of all, the Fellowship cultivated my sense of mission: knowing what we know about the world, we must devote ourselves in big and little ways to making it a better place. ”
— Kourtney Braff Harper, 1991-92
ITINERARY
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
Norway
Denmark
Germany
Belgium
Austria
Hungary
Switzerland
Italy
Canada
Japan
Hong Kong
China
Thailand
Burma (Myanmar)
Malaysia
Singapore
Australia
New Zealand
TRAVEL STORY
I was traveling from Dublin to Waterford, Ireland, and the train caught fire. We were evacuated, and a replacement train was sent to take us on our journey. After four miles, that train broke down. We waited for hours until we were evacuated from that train. It was getting dark; we were four hours late; and it was starting to rain. Sitting on the side of the train track, things felt pretty bleak (and cold).
Then, someone started SINGING. Just singing. And everyone joined in. I don’t really remember the sequence of events. We got to Waterford, eventually. I found the people who were waiting for me. I was tired, cold, hungry and… absolutely fine. That was my first lesson in being a real traveler: “All things can be borne. Just sing.”