Class of 2026 - U.S. Scholars
Fredrika Danfors, Sweden, is studying towards a Master of Public Administration at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Fredrika has a background in economics, with a strong interest in sustainable development and global challenges. She hopes to work with sustainable finance to help mobilize capital for an equal green transition, particularly focusing on developing countries and emerging markets. Fredrika also has a passion for art and design and is looking forward to exploring New York’s endless museums and art galleries.
Jørn Kiil, Denmark, is pursuing a Naval Engineer's Degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His academic interests focus on naval architecture, systems engineering, and the integration of advanced maritime technologies. Building on a foundation in mechanical engineering, he hopes to contribute to the development of innovative maritime systems that address complex engineering challenges and advance the future of the maritime industry. His interest in the maritime environment carries over to his personal life, where sailing is a big interest of his. He and his wife made the journey to Boston in their sailboat Ellen all the way from Copenhagen, Denmark.
Julia Korpinen, Finland, is an actress and filmmaker from Helsinki, currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Producing at Columbia University School of the Arts in New York City. Before beginning her graduate studies, she built an acting career spanning more than 100 episodes of Finnish television. Most recently, she starred in Conflict, one of the largest television productions ever made in the Nordics. Inspired by her experience in front of the camera, Julia is now developing stories as a producer and filmmaker, focusing on character-driven narratives that bridge Scandinavian and American perspectives. She hopes to create films and series that foster empathy, spark meaningful conversations, and connect audiences across cultures.
Klara Kotarsky, Sweden, is a violist pursuing a Master’s degree in Viola performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where she studies with Dimitri Murrath. Previous studies include a one-year master in Orchestra performance from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra Academy as well as a Bachelor’s degree from Barratt Due Musikkinstitutt in Oslo and the Royal Conservatory of Music in Stockholm. She has participated in master classes such as IMS Prussia Cove, Lac Leman and received mentoring by Thomas Riebl, Kim Kashkashian, Istvan Vardai and Eldbjørg Hemsing. Klara is an experienced chamber musician and has had the pleasure of playing with musicians such as Stella Chen, Clive Greensmith and the Terra String Quartet. In the future, she plans to pursue a career in chamber music combined with orchestral playing.
Hedda Most, Sweden, is pursuing a MSc in Climate Finance at Columbia University’s Climate School. She holds a BSc in Politics and Economics from Lund University and an MSc in Advanced Economics and Finance from Copenhagen Business School. Before returning to graduate studies, Hedda spent nearly two and a half years as an ODI Fellow and Climate Change Advisor to the Mayor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, where she co-authored the city’s Transform Freetown 24–28 strategy and Africa’s first Heat Action Plan, and led multiple climate action initiatives. Columbia’s program lets her formalize and scale what she learned in the field, and she plans to return to Scandinavia with her
experience from the U.S. to contribute to the development of the financial tools and market understanding required to enable industrial development that combines sustainability with long-term profitability. Outside of her work and studies, Hedda likes to be outdoors either skiing, hiking or horse riding.
Niels Munk, Denmark, is a jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader. He is studying towards a Master of Music in Jazz Arts at Manhattan School of Music, studying with Ingrid Jensen. He is supported by MSM, a Fulbright Scholarship and the Victor Borge Music Scholarship. His musical roots were planted in northern Denmark, playing alongside family and friends, and his work has centered on connecting people through music ever since. He leads the quartet Fantasilaboratoriet, whose debut album received international critical acclaim, and founded the ten-piece Scandinavian ensemble Midnight Sun Collective, which has toured Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. With Nordkraft Bigband, he appears on the Grammy-nominated recording “A Child Is Born.”
Henrietta Skareng, Sweden, is a Fulbright Scholar and MA candidate at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, specializing in international conflict resolution and Middle Eastern affairs. She holds a First Class Honours degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Bristol and has pursued graduate studies in humanitarian action and conflict at Uppsala University. Henrietta has contributed to research and policy initiatives through the Stimson Center and currently conducts research on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Her academic interests include peacebuilding, mediation, humanitarian action, and the role of international institutions in conflict resolution.
Julie Odgaard Soerensen, Denmark, pursuing a MSc in Sports Administration at Marshall University. Prior to this, she worked as an elementary teacher and holds a Bachelor of Education from VIA University College. During her studies, she travelled extensively, including an internship at Haradali Primary School in Tanzania and an elective course on non-traditional sports that took her to Thailand, where she exchanged sports culture with local students. Julie has a lifelong passion for physical activity. She has practiced and taught gymnastics from a young age and also worked as a swimming and athletics coach. In studying sports management, she is excited to combine her personal interests with her professional path.
Sigrid Sorensen, Denmark, is pursuing a degree in Sociology at The New School of Social Research to strengthen her interdisciplinary approach to her academic projects relating to Internalized Oppression. She holds a BA and MA in Philosophy and has worked with equality related issues in Copenhagen. Sigrid is interested in the value and potential in sharing a personal, subjective experience in today’s social and political climate and in using academic knowledge to create positive and tangible change for those who need it the most.
Boris Tomov, Bulgaria, is a violinist building an international career as a soloist and orchestral leader, distinguished by artistic commitment, intellectual rigor, and artistic maturity. A Fulbright Scholar and Thanks to Scandinavia Scholar, he is currently pursuing advanced studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music under the guidance of Ilya Kaler and Olga Kaler. He began studying the violin under the tutelage of his mother before continuing his education at the National School of Music and later the National Academy of Music in Sofia, where he studied with Yosif Radionov and Stoyka Milanova, laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. His artistic development continued with studies under Evgenia Epshtein in Croatia and Hagai Shaham at Tel Aviv University.
While in Israel, he received Tel Aviv University’s highest Excellence Award—its most prestigious distinction, bestowed upon fewer than one percent of all students—in recognition of his exceptional artistic and academic achievements. He also received top prizes at the Kamdzhalov Foundation Competition and the Buchmann-Mehta Chamber Music Competition. As a soloist, he has performed Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto with the Orchestra of the National Academy of Music. He has served as concertmaster of the Balkan Youth Symphony Orchestra, assistant concertmaster of the Allegra Festival Orchestra, and, most recently, first concertmaster of the Vratsa Symphony Orchestra. His professional orchestral career has included performances with the Sofia Philharmonic, the Rousse State Opera, and the Israel Chamber Orchestra. Through the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music’s distinguished partnership with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, he received intensive orchestral training, masterclasses, and chamber coaching with members of the orchestra. During this period, he performed under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductors including Zubin Mehta, Kirill Petrenko, and Lahav Shani.
Didrik Wiig-Andersen, Norway, is pursuing a MSc in Engineering in Software Systems and Cybersecurity at the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to graduate studies, Didrik was enrolled in the Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology at the University of Pennsylvania. Through the undergraduate program he pursued a BS in Engineering with a major in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics through Penn Engineering, and a BS in Economics with a dual concentration in Finance and Statistics from the Wharton School. He was part of both the University of Pennsylvania’s and Wharton’ undergraduate honors programs. Besides his academics, Didrik enjoys
scholarly research. He has written two papers in collaboration with professors at Wharton in the field of Finance. During his last academic year at Penn he researched the application of compression to pathology images in the Digital and Computational Pathology Lab at Penn Medicine. With his graduate studies, Didrik plans to continue his
work at Penn Medicine, and advance his research on compression algorithms that will help reduce the growing storage burden levied on organizations adopting digital pathology. Didrik enjoys skiing, reading, and exploring new places, especially in the United States.
Masod Yousufi, Norway, is pursuing a MSc in Civil Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley where he aims to explore how AI can support more sustainable building practices. He holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), where his thesis analyzed the carbon footprint of wildlife crossings in Norway, focusing on concrete and timber construction. He has interned at Skanska Norway and is the founder of ByggBrukt, a platform for the reuse of surplus construction materials. He previously spent a year at the University of California, Berkeley as an exchange student.