As part of an ongoing series, we'd like to introduce Hutson, one of our current Scholars. We first got to know Hutson, a graduate of Holderness, when he was applying, and were struck by his curiosity, his love of adventure and entrepreneurship, and his desire to see the world. Hutson is, in this respect, exactly what we look for in a Baret Scholar.

We talked to Hutson after his first semester with Baret and have shared that conversation below. ‍

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You have a great story about how you chose Baret. Do you want to start there?

Yes! I remember getting accepted while I was on a three-day solo backpacking trip as a part of my time at Holderness, a boarding school. I was alone in the White Mountains in winter, with just a tarp, some food, a little stove and a journal. Sitting there, I realized I wanted three things: to meet new people from different cultures, to travel the world, and to find my path before heading off to college. Baret felt like the right way to do all of that.

You were the only student from your school to take a gap year. What was that like?

It was definitely different. Everyone else was posting college acceptances, and I was kind of outside of that moment. But honestly, my classmates were really supportive—they were jealous, if anything. They were still on the march to college, and here I was, stepping off the beaten path. I knew it was what I wanted to do, and once I made that decision, I didn’t really care what anyone else thought.

And what about your parents? How did your parents react to your decision?

I of course very much care what my parents think, but they were fully supportive. They thought Baret would give me maturity, perspective, and a better understanding of the world. They wanted me to have an experience that would help me grow—not just academically, but personally.

And how has this first semester changed you? Has traveling given you a sense of confidence or freedom?

Oh, there's this one moment that I'll remember forever. A group of us had taken a weekend trip to Rio from São Paulo. We had climbed the hill to Christ the Redeemer, and I was sitting there with my fellow scholars and friends from Mexico, US, Spain, Belgium, and India, and with that view from the top of the hill, beneath this incredible statue, we discussed our futures. In that moment, in that discussion, on that hill, I had a thought - rather, I felt a thought: I have the freedom to do whatever I want. I felt new and incredibly empowered. It was unforgettable.

Sometimes it’s even simpler than that—just walking through a city with no plan, whether it’s Paris or Patagonia. Those moments of wandering have been some of my favorites.

Another part is how Baret approaches learning. There are no grades or tests in the Morning Program. You take notes because you’re genuinely interested, not because you’re preparing for an exam. That shift—from learning for a grade to learning out of curiosity—has been huge for me. I’ve found myself going down rabbit holes after talks just because I want to understand more.

Can you give an example of one of those “rabbit holes”?

Definitely. During the Poland fellowship, we visited Frontex, the EU’s external border agency, and talked about immigration policy. Hearing about the complexity of immigration in the EU—especially in countries like Italy—really challenged my thinking.

Afterward, I started researching U.S. immigration policy more deeply, too. It made me realize how complex the issue really is. There’s no simple answer, and hearing different perspectives helped me think more critically instead of just sticking to one viewpoint.

Why did you want to go on the Poland Fellowship specifically?

I’d never been to Eastern Europe, and I wanted to experience something completely new. We learned about Warsaw’s history—how the city was essentially destroyed during World War II and then rebuilt. Seeing that in person was powerful.

I also learned a lot about EU politics, which most Americans—including me before this—don’t know much about. Talking with other students and a member of our staff, Weronika, who is from Poland, about immigration and Ukrainian refugees showed me how complicated and emotional these issues are on the ground.

How has Baret shaped your thinking about entrepreneurship and your career path?

I’m interested in majoring in real estate and finance, possibly with a focus on international business. Before Baret, I thought entrepreneurship meant inventing something totally new. Now I realize it’s more about finding a niche—something that’s missing or underserved—and doing it well.

That’s great. Before we wrap up, is there anything else about your journey that you’d like to share?

The Advising system has been huge. Having a Fellow as an advisor has been so vital. It’s honestly one of the best parts of the program. I don’t see Fellows as just teachers—they’re more like mentors or older friends. I can talk to them openly, whether it’s about life, college, or just what museum they’re going to that day.

My Fellow, Tom Snow, is an art historian, which is totally different from my business interests—but that’s what makes it great. Going to museums with him and hearing how he thinks about art has been fascinating. It’s shown me the value of learning from people who think differently than you do.

Thanks for chatting with us, Hutson! We appreciate your candor and hearing about how inspiring your year has been!

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