There are a plethora of things that magnetize people to the idea of traveling the world. Sightseeing, diverse delicious food, cultural and historical immersion — you name it. However for CHS senior Eli Wakefield, the reason for his global wanderings during his gap year is strangely unique — aromas. Fresh French fields of vibrantly pungent lavender and coffee roasting brings Wakefield, an aspiring perfumer, to traverse the world before his attendance of UChicago to study philosophy in the Fall of 2023.
Seeking an intellectual challenge, Wakefield was initially pulled towards UChicago due to the school’s intensive academic rigor, algid weather, and inviting atmosphere.
“It was picturesque,” Wakefield said. “There were little kids playing in the street, the sun was shining down on my face, and Hyde Park [just outside of the UChicago campus] looked absolutely amazing. It felt like home.”
While the stereotypical eighteen year old high school boy allots much time to partying or video games, Wakefield has found himself a unique friend group of Plato, Hume, and all the other rambling theorists called “philosophers.” Thus, it is no surprise to Wakefield’s loved ones that he plans to major in philosophy, with a possible minor in mathematics, environmental science, or writing. Though Wakefield did note that the UChicago party scene was rated at a solid B on Niche, he has expressed his excitement to find a balance between pushing himself academically while genuinely enjoying his college experience.
Before his time at UChicago, Wakefield plans to take a gap year chock full of personal growth, travel, and nature-conservation oriented work— the inspiration that fuels his passion for perfuming.
“I am really bad at navigating space and time,” Wakefield said. “And I recognize that I need to get better at that. So, I wanted to take a year to mature a bit. But honestly, I also just want to travel the world. I want to see things and experience new things and explore my main passion in life, which is perfuming. There are so many different smelly places to explore.”
Visiting what he refers to as the “perfuming hubs of the world,” Wakefield expressed that his ultimate aim in his lifetime is to become a full time perfumer. Yet, he is grateful for the opportunity to further his studies of philosophy at UChicago as an alternative career path. In the beginning months of his gap year, Wakefield will be doing park work with the Student Conservation Association across the US as he prepares to purchase his “Around the World” plane ticket, allowing him to travel 39,000 miles in the span of a few months.
“What I imagine in a year is bandana Eli, long beard, with a green ratty backpack hiking in the mountains, smelling s**t and being happy as hell with other people I meet,” Wakefield said. “Maybe even a man bun if my hair keeps growing, who knows.”
Wakefield would like to shout out Frau Tsai, Mrs. Kusano, and Mrs. Lee for being fantastic teachers, as well as his close friend Theodore Chinn, who has been with Wakefield every step of the way academically. As Wakefield embarks on his voyages to national parks, global perfuming hubs, and onto UChicago, one can only pray his perfumes don’t smell as bad as he will after all that treacherous hiking.