Scholarship Recipients say “THANK YOU!”
Since 2014, YYGS has able to grant full-tuition plus travel scholarships to over 100 students from around the world thanks to the generousity of our supporters. Without full financial support, these students would not have been able to attend YYGS and for that, they are forever grateful.
Following the program, some of our scholarship recipients wrote letters to their benefactors to say thank you and describe the life-changing experience they had at YYGS without a financial burden. They beautifully illustrate how unique and transformational their experience at YYGS was.
Mahder Takele Teshome
Ethiopia
My time at the Yale Young Global Scholars Program is something I will cherish forever.
I remember the morning I found out I had been accepted to the Politics, Law and Economics session of the program. I was overjoyed yet feared that I might not be able to go due to my parents’ financial constraints. I had been filled with anxiety until I received another email the following evening that informed me the program will cover all of my expenses. The scene of my sudden outbursts of laughter as I read the message that promised the most exciting two weeks of my life, aloud to my mother and brother is etched into my brain forever. I couldn’t have been more grateful. I knew I had been given the privilege to attend a prestigious program that not many people were lucky enough to which bestowed in me a sense of obligation to use the opportunity effectively.
At Yale, I was able to listen to lectures from distinguished personnel, take part in detailed discussions with my peers and exchange ideas in seminars that I enjoyed immensely.
Starting from the day I got there, I had been greeted by kind and always-ready-to-help staff that made me feel welcome in a foreign environment. They were willing to lend a hand in all that I needed and to chat amicably whenever they could.
My fellow scholars were brilliant minds from all around the world that taught me many new things. They became great friends throughout the program and remained in touch long afterwards.
I was honored to have been one of three Africans that received travel grants. I worked hard and tirelessly doing what was expected of me which seemed to have paid off because, to my pleasant surprise, I was one of the twenty recipients of the Director’s Award by the end of the program.
In the two weeks I spent at the Jonathan Edwards College attending this distinguished program, I improved my researching skills through my Capstone Project, enriched my critical thinking ability with the lectures and seminars I took part in, gained a global perspective from the people I met from all around the world and made great acquaintances. At YYGS, I can honestly say that I became a true young scholar and I am very thankful to those who enabled me to be so.
Daniel Soberanes
Mexico
It wasn’t the succulent meals I did it for. Despite their massively informational and entertaining qualities, it wasn’t the daily lectures I did it for. Regardless of how much I was interested in the topics, it wasn’t the seminars I did it for either. It was for my friends. Every morning, I woke up early to get ready for the day ahead, and I did it joyously, knowing that I was going to see the people I’d grown close to during my time in the program. From Mexico to Macedonia, every single person I got to know at the “Yale Young Global Scholars: Science Policy and Innovation” program was one of a kind. Everyone had their own experiences, their own aspirations and creative ideas to share with everyone else. I met rising entrepreneurs and leaders both in scientific research and social activism. I met the type of people before I had only read about in newspaper articles and online blogs. I got to live among a community that represents the future of the world, and I was mesmerized by it.
Mesmerizing is a word with which I could describe the entirety of the 2015 YYGS session. I was given access to opportunities that had never before crossed my mind. I got to sit down at lunch with Dr. Michael Honsberger and discuss the intricacies of behavioral neuroscience and question everything I knew about memory. I managed to learn about the experience of a Biomedical Engineer now training to be a doctor. I was guided by current Yale students in creating a research paper concerning Malaria and third-world countries. Even writing this now, after the fact, brings back vivid memories about a time when I truly felt I had left my normal life behind. Not only did the experience give me a first-hand glimpse at how the world is during and after college, but it allowed me to explore and develop my own dreams and goals as well.
If I was given the opportunity to participate in a program such as YYGS again, I would do so without hesitating. I can’t say it was utter perfection; after all, I managed to catch a cold the third day there. Yet, any negatives were overtaken and buried beneath the magnitude of richness that I obtained from participating. Being offered the opportunity, both financially and academically, to become a part of this summer experience permanently altered my life. Lectures, discussions, family time bonding, seminars, capstone projects, singing in the middle of the night, and Insomnia Cookies are only a tiny peek at everything that encompassed my summer at Yale. I can only hope the experience is given the opportunity to impact the minds of countless more scholars who will truly cherish it in the future.
Celine Aju
Nigeria
Ten Thousand Five Hundred Miles Away From Home…
Will I fit in? Am I smart enough? Will I be able to relate creditably? These were the questions that plagued my mind as I disembarked from the plane on that faithful morning. As I walked out of the New York airport, I came to the realization that I was going to be living with 200 “extremely talented high school students”. I had never been so nervous in my life. The long drive to Yale`s campus gave me ample time to feed my fears so that when I arrived at my destination - Jonathan Edwards College, I bit my lip and said a short prayer.
Having arrived a day early, this little caterpillar who had crawled ten thousand five hundred miles to Yale`s campus had one night to wrap herself in her cocoon before being exposed to the world.
By the next morning, I was in the safety of my cocoon till some participants, who I came across the previous day, called me from my window. We went for breakfast at Panera bread and I had the most amazing breakfast and conversation of my life. We talked about a variety of things, ranging from why we applied for YYGS to our thoughts about the presidential elections in USA that was ongoing at the time.
As soon as we returned to the courtyard, I began a welcome party for all the newcomers; this was me trying to come out of my cocoon. Although once the program began in full force, I began beating at the walls of my cocoon by actively participating in seminars like “After Tahrir Square”. I also got the chance to feel the pressure of staging a revolution with my group “King James I party”. After that, I began to understand the requisites for staging a successful revolution, determine whether or not there is anything like a “peaceful revolution”. This was one of the numerous chances I got to experience the true meaning of leadership.
My daily routine involved extended discussions on Rwanda genocides; this stirred me to think up ways by which I could contribute my quota to global peace. I was so deeply impressed and informed that I came to realize that, like the proverbial little drops of water, my inputs can make a huge difference on the rest of the world. For the first time in my life, I wrote a research paper: The Refugee Crisis in Syria and although this alien task seemed daunting, I had a wonderful team to work with.
On July 21st, as I sang Clarity with Adrian Rivera, Tyler Miles and Yoorie Chang on the piano, I saw the beautiful multi-coloured butterfly I had turned into. My different colours represent all the different things I have learned, the word wide connections I have made and how more open-minded I have become. I felt free because YYGS had broken the reigns of the stereotypical teenager I had been and had given me clarity on so much more than I have ever researched or learnt in class. I had become a true global scholar.
I am really grateful to all who made this possible for me as they have put a little Nigerian girl on an unforeseeable pedestal. Your investment has made an indelible mark on my life and I can confidently say that the person I have become will make an impact in the world and will turn out in life, an equally generous investor in the lives of other people.
Thank you for putting my feet on the path of true greatness and setting me on the path of true discovery.
Juliana Bastos Mello
Brazil
Back home my family and friends asked me the question “How was the experience?” in many different ways, and I caught myself not being satisfied with any of my answers. After a while, I realized that I would never be able to put the amazing time I had at Yale into words and truly express the influence it had in my life.
First, the program helped me think critically about the issues discussed and influenced the way I look at politics today. It sharpened the necessary tools to improve myself academically in the fields I am interested in.
YYGS made me realize, in many moments, I still have a lot to learn and most importantly: it made me want this knowledge as I never wanted before. The program was one important actor in my academic life and I am sure the girl who checked out was way more mature and critical than the one who checked in.
I could see the influence of the program every day spent in it, and I could notice this change even more when I came back home and noticed how much I had developed in two weeks. Through the discussions in class I could improve my confidence at speaking aloud my thoughts and defending my ideas. The seminars and lectures encouraged me to discover new things. Every single thing I had the opportunity of doing at Yale helped me to improve myself in many different aspects.
I still remember my seminar about favelas (slums) in Brazil and how I left that class determined to try to change the reality faced by many Brazilians. I still remember the seminar namely “Killing, saving and letting die” and how the instructor Quinn White asked questions that made me give paradoxical answers and how for the first time I questioned myself about my position before the topic.
Even though YYGS challenged me academically, and I surely will remember it as a lifetime experience in the future, this is not what makes the program so special. The personal aspects of me that were changed at Yale this summer will have an unforgettable impact in who I am for the rest of my life. I cannot talk about YYGS experience without talking about the amazing culturally diverse environment it has and how this environment can bring a positive change to the world.
It is impossible to get to meet brilliant teenagers from all over the world and do not change from the experience. It is impossible to build friendship with students from countries facing war and do not change the way you see these nations. I strongly believe this is the most valuable thing YYGS has taught me: that apart from the distance, the culture, background and all the differences we are all so similar. This similarity is the key for change, it is the key to make the world a better place and the chance of getting to know about other cultures through friendship while we are still young is what makes YYGS so special. The program allows future leaders from countries in conflict to live unforgettable moments together and this, I believe, has power to gradually change the world.
Daniel Deng
Kenya
Yale Young Global Scholars is a program whose worth is incomparable to any other. My two-week period of the International Affairs session was the most wonderfully spent moments of my life. The experience with other outstanding high school students across all the continents is beyond description by mere words. For the first time ever my heart felt at home as my spirits of change to the people of my beloved continent; Africa got boosted immensely by the wonderful people I met at Yale.
It is at Yale that I learnt the true definition of true friendship and the act of dynamic brotherhood. Everyone was at your doorstep eager to offer you the assistance that you needed. Yale’s staffs are the greatest mentors I have ever encountered since I began my long journey of learning. Not only were they ready to blow up our minds with inspirational ideas but also went as far as making each and every one of us stay comfortable without reluctance.
Yale played an instrumental role in nourishing young leaders. Since we are the leaders of tomorrow, I learnt a lot of leadership skills from the Yale Community. These, I believe, would serve as weapons in my endeavors to shed light to my people whose lives have been surrounded by severe servitude and poverty. I learnt these great lessons both from the students I interacted with and also from the top leaders and icons who gave us lectures.
As Nelson Mandela once said; one has an obligation to oneself, one’s family, to the society and to the nation at large. It from the program that I came to the realization of what my role in the community really was. I learnt from the many achievements made by my fellow students and which were geared towards giving back to their communities.
I cannot complete this without mentioning Yale’s generosity and whole-heartedness. In respect to those outstanding students whose financial background could not allow them to attend the program, Yale awarded them with financial bursary so as to put everyone at the same level. My dreams of ever attending the YYGS 2015 were almost shuttered until I received an email notifying me as one of the students who had been given a full scholarship for the program. I wonder at how I can reciprocate the love and kindness that Yale showed to me by awarding me with such a scholarship.
As I prepare to complete my High school studies, I pray that one day I shall land in no other place but Yale. Yale shall always be part of me wherever I go and I shall live to spread its uniqueness to every single person I collide with.
Thank you so much Yale.
Anonymous
Ethiopia
I am currently a first year student at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa. I attended the 2015 Yale Young Global Scholars Program Science, Policy and Innovation session last summer at Yale’s beautiful campus. I had the most amazing two weeks of my life at YYGS.
Attending all the interesting lectures and seminars, meeting with amazing people from all around the world at the beautiful campus of Yale was a great experience. From dusk to dawn, I enjoyed every little moment, particularly, the Capstone projects, the lectures and discussion sessions, the seminars, the family times, my talented and amazing suitemates, the instructors and everybody else who went to make it all a special experience. I made lifelong friends and gained life changing experiences in just two weeks.
Even though YYGS was a great experience, it would have been impossible for me to attend the program if all my expenses had not been covered by the program itself. For some of us 5,250 U.S Dollars may seem a small amount of money or somewhat affordable, but it is actually more than my father’s annual salary. Because 5,250 U.S.D is about 111,825 Ethiopian Birr and my father’s annual salary is less than that. It would not be fair for me if I had made them pay that much money, it might even be impossible for them. But the most amazing thing about YYGS is they accepted me regardless of my financial situations. It is probably the biggest gift I have ever received. I did not even have to pay for my flight tickets. So I would like to say thank you to Yale and the YYGS program. Thank you for your generosity, for alleviating my finance problems and letting me attend the most amazing program I have ever attended so far.
Daniel Calarco
Brazil
Now, it’s my time to talk about the Yale Young Global Scholars Program (YYGS). When I look back to a few months ago, I had an expressive and intense feeling, definitely the most important one, HOPE. Not in the cliché way, but in the most realistic way.
Yale Young Global Scholars is a two-week program that connects some of the most influential students and professors from around the world. What I didn’t know before participating in the program was how intense and transforming these two weeks would be.
I met amazing, incredible, and brave young people from all over the world. I had classes with Yale professors and Yale graduate and undergraduate students. For me, the Yale students and professors became role models because they strongly believe in change. They did not bow down to the current problems; they acted to produce change.
YYGS is a program for people who believe that everything can be changed, but that they cannot accomplish this alone. We have to work with family, friends, NGOs, and have international collaboration; in essence, we must rely on and learn with others. It seems to me that Yale University believes today’s youth has the power and capacity to make amazing things happen, society just has to listen so we can discuss. This program made my voice stronger and now I am not afraid to stand up to taboos or ‘’ adults issues’’.
This program made me realize how big the world really is and that some of Brazilian’s problems can also happen in Rwanda and some Hungarian solutions can be applied in Brazil. I saw all of it through three perspectives: Politics, Law, and Economics. I have so many certainties, though I still have so many doubts, but now I can ask all the right questions. I used to be in a single place, considering just a single history and after YYGS, I understand how complex the world is. In the morning, I would have breakfast with a Slovakian, an American and a Russian. In a few years, I’m going to be helping solve problems with these students, side-by-side. I am very grateful for the opportunity YYGS provided to me.
Chizoba Oluebube Eziuzo
Nigeria
In YYGS, we had lectures from different keynote speakers from Yale university on topics like Neurobiology of memory, HIV/AIDS, 20th century environmental law and sustainability, problem solving and innovation. We had seminars on topics like an outbreak of Ebola, Human-Wildlife conflict. In these seminars, I began to understand that the western educational system is based on interactive classes. Students are the ones that contribute effectively in the classroom. After a brief introduction on the topic, the students would be divided into groups to brainstorm on the topic. After each lecture we always had discussion section, where students are free to discuss and debate about the lecture. Two instructors moderate the discussion but let us speak openly.
One of my favorite parts of the YYGS program was our family/residential-life time. In one of our family time gatherings, we watched ‘The danger of a single story’, which is a TED talk by Chimamanda Adichie. This TED talk made me believe in myself once again; it really inspired me. After watching the video, my family leader asked us if we had a single story to tell.
My single story was that when I went to Ghana to attend the Yale Young African Scholars Program, my new Ghanaian friends said that the one thing they loved about Nigerians was how proud they were of their country. I recently discovered from my Ugandan and Tanzanian friends that Nigeria has a good entertainment industry. One girl from Zimbabwe said that people thought Zimbabweans don’t speak English. Another girl from Israel said that people think that since she is from Israel she has to cover herself up. I was so happy after watching that video because Chimamanda Adichie really made Nigeria proud, which I hope to do too.
I left YYGS with the following takeaways:
- Students should speak up because they have the freedom of speech.
- All students should know how to use computers and how to write academic papers.
- Schools should organize capstone project for students with two or more teachers assigned to them.
- TED Talks should take place in school because this is an opportunity for students to voice their dreams and life goals.
- Student-teacher relationships should be strong.
- Students should form the good habits of asking questions and contributing in class.
- Students should be avid readers.
- Student should know about their country and what is happening in their country. As a Nigerian citizen, I should think of what I can do for my country and not what my country can do for me.
When I left the USA to go back to Nigeria, I was filled with mixed emotions. I missed my new friends and the cool and lively environment of YYGS, but I was happy to go back to Nigeria, because there is no place like home sweet home. After YYGS, I strongly believe that I will be back in USA.
Ambaye Lelego
Ethiopia
I remember the day that I checked my email and saw the big news from YYGS that stated I got a travel scholarship grant. My dad and mom were the first to hear this great news from me. I still remember the great happiness and excitement that I saw in their face. Really I was excited because it was my first international trip for an international program. My journey to the USA was really tedious and weary; for the first time in my life, I travelled 21 hours and 45 minutes away from home.
However, I really cannot explain the feeling that I experienced when I saw the buildings and compounds that I had known only through pictures of YYGS. Everything there was special and amazing. I met extraordinarily amazing young people from all part of the world. They were highly talented and gifted high school students and I learned a lot from them. I enriched my experience by the lectures, seminars, capstone projects, tours and all other activities. I especially loved the lectures and seminars that focused on global warming and renewable energy resources. It was after this program that I started to think of the way that I can implement this in my surrounding.
In addition, I met excellent and marvellous instructors and coordinators. They helped me a lot and I would like to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH! The family meeting time that we used to have together was really one of the unforgettable memories of the two weeks program. I still can not stop talking about it with my friends.
Generally, I had a special time, with special people, in a special place: that is, YALE YOUNG GLOBAL SCHOLARS SUMMER PROGRAM! THANK YOU!
Akriti Dhasmana
India
I would like to thank you for giving me the wonderful opportunity to attend the Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship session of the Yale Young Global Scholars Program held from 26th July to 8th August at the Yale University. Coming from a middle class family in India, spending 2 weeks at Yale was something that I had previously only dreamt about, but with the help of a kind benefactor such as you, I was able to realize this treasured dream and spend some memorable time with students of extraordinary calibre from all around the globe.
At YYGS, I got the privilege to explore a lot of interesting subjects that I had previously had little knowledge about. The diverse range of topics that were covered as a part of different seminars allowed me to expose myself to a plethora of ideas that ultimately helped me develop my reasoning skills and sharpen my thought process. The conversations I had with people from different countries allowed me to gain some valuable insight into different cultures and lifestyles.
One of my fondest memories remains to be that of the practice sessions for the Capstone group project. As a part of YYGS, we were required to work on an idea under a broader theme in groups of 5-6 and then pitch that idea in front of the other groups at the end of the program. We worked with our instructors to develop our idea into a basic business model and in the process, gained some valuable lessons in understanding team dynamic s and the art of pitch. The challenging atmosphere that we were a part of for 14 days stimulated all of us to work harder and at the end of the program we all left as better, more dedicated students.
Personally, the time I spent at Yale as a part of the YYGS was one of the most illuminating experiences of my life. It has helped me evolve my perspective as a young student and has inspired me to work harder in all my undertakings. I shall forever be indebted to you for having made all of this possible for me.
Sefinew Misganaw
Ethiopia
I want to give great thanks to the donor who covered my flight cost and ground transportation. Without their help I could not have attended the Yale Young Global Program. I wish I could know them and tell them more about my future goal. This person’s help changes my life and they will forever be a part of my life story. The program gave me a life changing experience. Months ago, I only thought about my school activities. I didn’t have the time to think as international student. My life, my goals and my future were limited by my country. But now, the Yale Young Global Program has helped me to think “outside the box”.
When I wrote the essay for my Yale application, (Please describe the factor that has most influenced you and your hopes and dreams and how have they shaped you?) I had said this on the conclusion part, “If I didn’t find the geography book in the 6th grade who knows what my hope and dreams would be. This Yale Young scholar opportunity is another factor that can influence my hopes and dreams even further and maybe help me to one day answer these questions. ” after I participated the program this statement has become true. I learned the environmental problems of our world and the environmental polices of different countries. I now understand that the responsibility of solving these problems are in my generation. I have aspired to become an astrophysicist to do whatever I can to solve these types of problem.
Now I am an international student. I have a number of friends from South Korea, China, USA, Armenia and more. I have heard the incredible stories of people that came from both good and bad situations. For example, the girl who comes from Zimbabwe told us about the white Zimbabwean violation of the right to ownership of their land and in Pakistan, we heard about the mascara on the girl’s school friends by the terrorist’s group. This is not the only thing I have learned from the program. I have also learned about international environmental conventions like that of Paris and Copenhagen.
Both my father and my mother are teachers but their annual income is lower than $2500, so you can guess easily that if I hadn’t received the travel scholarship, I wouldn’t have participated in the program. Even though my tuition was fully covered by Yale, I couldn’t have found the money to travel to the United States. I don’t have the words to express my feelings. I understand that a one page letter is not enough to thank you but one day I am confident that I will get the chance to express my gratitude in person.
Arina Lopukhin
Russia
Unfortunately, I do not know your name, however, you helped me more than a lot of people I personally know did. Thank you so much for all you have done for me. Perhaps, you have no idea how grateful I am for your help, and how much the opportunity to participate in YYGS has meant to me.
I was raised in a tiny town in Moscow province with a population of approximately fifteen thousand people. My parents went to small low-quality Russian colleges, and none of my grandparents has graduated from college. Having this background, I could never imagine that one day I would cross a threshold of Yale University campus. Yes, I have always been a dreamer, and, I guess, this character trait made me apply to YYGS. But lets be honest - dreams have limits.
Before coming to YYGS, I thought I had no chance to get in. Actually, I even asked my best friend to check the application status for me, because I thought I would not be able to read a rejection letter myself. Imagine my reaction, when she read a word ‘congratulations’ out loud. I could not realize it was real, my thoughts were jumbled, and my heart went out of rhythm.
I had the same feelings, when I was entering Phelps Gate. I literally felt like Harry Potter. I could not believe that it was happening to me, the girl from Moscow province. But it was real.
There was no day I felt dissatisfied with something at YYGS. Lectures were extremely interesting, and all of activities were useful and fascinating. However, what I find most important is that every single person was incredibly intelligent, curious and kind. So I was glad to be surrounded by such a great group of people.
I have never experienced something like this program before. YYGS left a myriad of positive memories and new knowledge in my mind. However, what is more essential, YYGS helped me to realize that dreams do come true, even if everyone around thinks it is impossible. My dream would not come true without your tremendous help.
Luiz Felipe da Silva Moraes
Brazil
What I am about to write will probably never be enough to express such infinite gratitude I am feeling towards you, something I will carry for the rest of my life. For the last days you have provided me an unique, incomparable opportunity which is attending Yale Young Global Scholars, a summer program promoted by one of the world’s most renowned universities.
As you may already know, I am a 17-year-old Brazilian student whose strongest passion is global affairs in all its extensions: the different cultures humanity relies upon, the languages spoken worldwide, the relations between nations and their negotiations, along with many other aspects as much important. For that reason, what I have been pursuing is a career in this field of knowledge in which I will be able to cause a positive impact in the world, seeking peace for mankind through the resolution of conflicts, poverty eradication and what I believe to be the utmost thing: education for all. Thanks to you, I am one step closer to that goal.
From the moment I first stepped into Pierson College I was greeted and warmly welcomed by an awesome staff of instructors; little did I know that my amazement with the program was just at the very beginning. Minutes later after that moment, friendships were already being made, conversations started, and everyone was really excited that all the previous virtual conversations could finally be translated into face-to-face discussion.
As the days passed on, I got to know more and more people, all of them from different parts of the world, different languages, distinguished backgrounds, distinct habits and perspectives of life, but at the same time all of them brought together by a single common characteristic: their commitment to changing the world into a better place. It soon became evident to me the impressiveness of each person I met around the campus, each one of them with an outstanding personality. It did not take long until I realized what kind of individuals I was dealing with: genuine leaders, transformers of the future. Being in this sort of environment, in company of such brilliant people, surrounded by all this diversity not only inspired me but also it helped me broaden my horizons, open my mind, widen my perspectives, and above all: learn. Each person taught me a single lesson, be it either how to greet in their languages or how generous humankind can be, as well as a really precious thing: the true value of friendship. I can tell with all certainty that during this time I made real lifelong friends.
And besides all this, I cannot help mentioning all the intellectual content I was exposed to. Each lecture and seminar was a new discovery, a new learning, a complement not only to my knowledge but also to my life. I feel hugely privileged for having had the opportunity to listen to and learn from the greatest people I have ever met: renowned professors, experts, people who once held important functions in the government, individuals greatly successful in their careers; getting to know their history, their struggle, their path to success inspired me in such a manner that I now have them as examples in which to mirror.
All lectures, seminars and other events held by the program contributed immensely to the increase of my intellectual capabilities such as critical thinking skills, eloquence, argumentation, creativity, proactiveness, altruism and multifaceted thinking, allowing me to have a broaden approach towards an issue, considering its various points of view; all that was possible due to the great competence of the program’s faculty, including its directors, lecturers and instructors, who encouraged us the whole time to reflect, not giving us ready answers, but rather introducing us to an objective train of thought.
My favorite seminar was one named “Bridging the gap between the rich and the poor in developing countries”, taught by Chaste Niwe, in which we were encouraged to leave our comfort zones and become aware of the real everyday lives of millions of children in Africa who live in hunger, lack of basic needs and low-quality education, often having to abandon school in order to work; but most important, we learned how we can change that situation for those people, and how we can be the hope and maybe the salvation of millions.
I also learned a lot from the “TED Talks” event, in which some fellow students within us gave us a brief speech based on a remarkable fact of their lives, or a subject in which they have great interest for. The majority of the stories told were really emotional, and showed me that behind a person may be a background of sadness and overcoming, teaching me the importance of not judging anyone and caring for others’ feelings. My favorite speeches were given by two students both from Pakistan. The first one told us how he was expelled from his village after facing one of the most influential religious figures of his place, someone who he really appreciated and admired, and which also had been neglectful with the death of his cousin, who he loved. The second one was about the forbidden love which the student was going through: he was born Sunni while his lover was born Shia.
Another event which was decisive for my next step in my educational career was the “Career Talks”, in which we had the opportunity to learn from the past experiences of three individuals whose professional success has been achieved. One of my favorite was Mrs Schutte’s talk, for her history was really inspiring for me: she left a life in a farm and managed to enter Yale university, giving her best in everything she did and pursuing a great professional career. She also encouraged me a lot by advising me not to let financial situation getting in the way, for it is really possible for me to obtain financial aid once I would have no conditions to afford college in a foreign country. Of course the process of application in my country is expensive, but once I have real chances to be approved for Yale, it is worth each penny.
I could also not help mentioning New Haven’s beauty and gorgeousness. The old-fashioned architecture impressed me a lot, especially in the cross-campus location, where Yale’s magnificent library can be found.
Well, there are certainly much more to be told than what I have tried to, but some feelings I believe cannot be put into words, so I will keep them in my heart and memory. What I finally want to say is that you, when kindly selecting me for receiving this scholarship and you who made it possible have changed my life forever, be sure that for better. You have contributed in a wonderful and unexplainable manner to my academical knowledge and my future career. You have made it possible for me to honor not only my parents but also my whole family, once I am the first one among them to have gone this far both physically and intellectually. You made my parents proud of me, showing them that all their struggle in raising me was really worth it, and that all the values which they transmitted me have worked. Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of this lifelong experience which is Global Scholars. I will never forget what you have done to me, and I promise being grateful for the rest of my life. Be sure that everything that I got from this program will be used to somehow improve my community, and that not a single knowledge acquired will be wasted.
Reuben Cobbinah
Ghana
I will never forget the moment I received an email saying that I had been granted the opportunity to attend the YYGS program on a Travel Scholarship. Before that moment, my mom was about to call off all my preparations due to financial constraints.
When I arrived on the Yale campus I was overwhelmed by the majestic landscape, since this was my first time of traveling abroad. I met a lot of people from different backgrounds which has enriched my perspective of the world. My favorite seminar was entitled, “Questions concerning technology “. I was most interested in that particular seminar because I am considering a career in the field of Information and Communication Technology. During the seminar, we discussed about the impact of technology on our world today. And ironically, we learnt that technology is a major contributor to lives which have been lost over the past century.
We also learnt that technology could still play a major role in “saving ” our planet! One interesting aspect of the program was working on our Capstone projects with our peers. It helped me to improve my interactive skills with others tremendously. I am currently in my senior year and will complete high school next year. I plan to write the SAT so as to get the chance to study abroad, provided I can secure a scholarship.
This great summer experience would have been a fantasy without your assistance. I am forever grateful. But I believe you will reap the good works you have sown. Thank you.
Oliver Osei-Asibey
United Kingdom
Attending the Applied Science & Engineering session of Yale Young Global Scholars 2016 was undoubtedly the best experience of my life! Thanks to this experience, I have found the confidence to pursue the US as my top destination for further education studies - a concept that seemed very unachievable and unrealistic beforehand. Before attending I knew very little about the US education system and I ended up leaving almost being an expert in the system (and several other global education systems from Australia to Ethiopia!) thanks to the plethora of diverse and talented like-minded individuals I met- some I which I have undoubtedly formed lifelong friendships with. Thanks to this program I know I have a brother or sister in every corner of the world from Texas to Mexico City to Melbourne. The most valuable thing these 14 days have taught me is that it really is possible to connect with people separated by borders and seas (making my dream of US study a bit less scary!). I will never forget the amazing seminars, lectures and discussions which stretched and challenged my mind; spanning topics from ethics of artificial intelligence to economics of pollution control. Brian Scassellati’s lecture on ‘Robots that teach’ exposed me to the progressive research and amazingly interactive professors at Yale who have all deeply motivated me challenge myself through extracurricular activities and strive for the best scores possible. However, the most powerful motivation to achieve my dream of US study is by far to be reunited with my YYGS companions. It seems unimaginable that this experience would have passed me by if it was not for the generous scholarship I received. Thank you for an experience that will definitely remain in my heart for the rest of my life.
Ugur Dursun
Turkey
I am writing this letter to sincerely thank you for your generous scholarship covering my travel expenses to and from Yale Young Global Scholars Program this summer. I was over the moon when I learned that I was the recipient of your scholarship.
I am a rising senior from Turkey, attending a high school for the gifted students in my country with a full scholarship. I aspire to study English literature next year in college, and I am planning on applying to US universities that offer financial aid to pursue my dreams. I am also interested in biology and environmental studies, which made this program particularly important for me. I was desperate in December 2015 looking for summer programs in the US that would offer me financial aid to cover pretty much all of the tuition fees. I had never been to a summer program abroad, and never even applied to one because of my lack of hope in financial aids. I wanted this to change. Never had I known that one simple Google search would have been enough to do just that.
I came across Yale Young Global Scholars Program (YYGS) just in time for the New Year’s. I read every single word available on their website. I was ready to apply. It took me a while to gather financial documents, write essays and a résumé, but in February I submitted everything. Prior to finishing my application, I got an e-mail from YYGS announcing a travel scholarship for a student from Turkey. I thought that my chances of getting this scholarship was slim, considering the number of high school juniors and sophomores in Turkey. On April 2nd, a day after I learned that I was accepted to the program with full tuition scholarship, I was contacted as the recipient of the travel scholarship. And it is all because of you. Thanks to your generous heart I was able to go on a trip I would have struggled a lot to afford otherwise.
After almost four months of anticipation, it was finally July 25th. My excitement was at its peak as I boarded on the first of my two flights, and it has only reached new heights throughout my 18-hour journey to Yale. I woke up next morning to the first day of the Sustainability, Energy & Environment session. I was delighted by just the thought of making new friends from around the globe. Our first official day as Young Global Scholars was reserved for an opening meeting and icebreaking. We were all assigned to smaller groups and toured the campus while getting to know other people.
Throughout the program we had a grand total of eleven lectures, including the first and last lectures taught by the executive director, Ted Wittenstein. These lectures involved more than just the science behind climate change. Although we learned how greenhouse gases work, we also searched for innovative solutions to emit less carbon dioxide, and looked for the legislative aspect of climate change at Yale Law School. Discussion groups created a healthy environment for around fifteen scholars to have a conversation about the lectures. Everyone had eight seminars in addition to the lectures, but there were over a hundred options to choose from in the virtual “blue book” sent to us several months prior to our session. Although all of my seminars were really informative, one seminar stood out for me: “Skyscrapers: The Good, the Bad, and the Empty.” That is because I am really interested in urban design and incorporating green spaces into metropolitan areas, but part of the reason I latched on to this topic was that I was born and raised in a city with a lot of high-rise apartments, so I felt a personal connection to the topic we discussed.
Capstone project is essentially a time reserved to research and create solutions to a current issue regarding sustainability, energy or environment. My group studied environmental racism in Latin America, and none of us was familiar with the topic. At times it was challenging to work with something brand new to me, but my love of learning about other people’s backgrounds made the work a lot easier.
Between everything I learned about climate change and meeting hundreds of new friends, YYGS broadened my horizon. It was an experience I will never forget, a memory I left in the past with tears in my eyes. Thank you for being a kind and generous person and caring about people in need. I owe the best two weeks of my life to you and Yale for giving me this opportunity. I hope one day I will be able to contribute to the education of children just like you.
Ximena Latapi
Mexico
I would like to thank you so much for paying for my traveling expenses. My time here at YYGS in the BBS program has been wonderful! I have learned so many things and met so many different people. Although all of the seminars I’ve taken have taught me a lot and have been very interesting, my favorite seminar so far is one called “Advanced triage and medical rationing”, where I learned about organ transplant policies and how to triage on a mass casualty incident.
The most exciting thing I’ve learned during the BBS session is that I am really interested in pursuing a major in Biomedical Engineering! My next step in my educational career would be college applications, and of course, I will apply to Yale University. A favorite memory of BBS I always will remember is not a specific favorite memory, but the people I’ve met, all from so many different places with many different stories to tell. I thank you again for this opportunity you’ve given me to travel here to Yale! I hope all goes well in your life and I wish you the best.
Xue Wang
China
Thank you for helping me have a very fascinating and incredible journey at Yale. I have learned deeper knowledge from this tremendous program, I have obtained valuable experience from lectures and seminars, I have met many nice friends and I have mastered lots of practical skills from my capstone project and simulation. And the most important is that I have entered a new world where I have realized that I should try my best to keep going, keep learning to achieve my dream.
My favorite seminar was ” digital footprints.” In this seminar, other students and I took pleasure in discussing about social media. The outstanding instructor created a dramatic class environment and held the process of seminar very well. We started a wonderful brainstorming session that broadened my horizons and made me gain a holistic view about social media as it is related to terrorism now. Indeed, I had a very good time.
SIMULATION is the most interesting and exciting part during IAS, we pretend to be an important and different role in a organization or country. We come to work, discuss and argue together and experience a life as a leader, diplomat or journalist. And the process is out of imagination because they even found a new European community, which became crazy. At the same time, I enjoyed it a lot.
After this program, I will come back to China to finish my senior school and then take the college entrance exams to go to one of the best universities in China. Maybe in the future I will study abroad for further study.
My most unforgettable memory is the new friendship with these smart participants. I met lots of people who are from all over the world and thus I have learned much about different cultures like Brazil, Canada, England, Pakistan and so on. We have different perspectives about GRAND STRATEGY, discuss about current issues and coordinate with each other to do an awesome job.
I am genuinely grateful and hope you would be proud of seeing what I have gotten from this program.