Taha Zaffar spent a semester studying and researching in Rome, and he'll head to Beijing in 2014 to continue his overseas experience. (Photos by Natalie Battaglia.)

Zaffar (shown here at Chicago’s Millennium Park) has done extensive volunteer work in the city. “It inspired me to pursue a career in social work and helped me refine my passion for working with others,” he says.

A decade from now, Zaffar hopes to be working as a social worker and adjunct professor.