Josiah Durfee is a rising senior at Middlebury College, where he is pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Geography. He grew up in Shaftsbury, VT and originally entered Middlebury intending to study Biology. After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, however, he recognized the importance of engaging in the international security community and changed course. Josiah directly enrolled at the University of Edinburgh for a semester abroad in the fall, seeking to fully immerse himself in a new culture and environment. His rural upbringing combined with an international education give him a valuable viewpoint in the often-insular culture of world politics. After college, Josiah seeks to engage in international politics professionally and live in Europe again. Beyond the classroom, Josiah is a hurdler and sprinter on the varsity track and field team and the president and business director of an a cappella group. He spends the rest of his free time reading, exploring the mountains, playing piano and chess, and taking care of his pet gecko.