Buckets of rain splashed across all surfaces like ocean waves. June gloom seemed to seep into July. It was perfect weather for move-in day.
Perhaps one might not view this as most ideal; however, the second I stepped onto Yale’s soaked campus, I felt welcome. I met my suitemates–Mira, Minna, Michelle, Mona, Morena, and Olivia–and we decided instantly to name our group chat “mimimimimomo and o” in honor of the sublime alliteration our names almost formed. We clicked instantly, and after two weeks, you would easily believe we had known each other for two years.
The connections you form at Yale Young Global Scholars are truly transcendent. When I first began researching the program, I noticed that Family Time stood out to alumni as one of their favorite aspects. To say that my high expectations were exceeded is a grand understatement. My family brought diverse perspectives to breakout discussions influenced by their unique backgrounds, whether from small-town America or Kyrgyzstan. From this, I learned so much from listening, in addition to contributing my own thoughts. And, we connected beyond the intellectual level; whether uniting for post-lecture family lunches or random boba runs, we always shared laughs based on inside jokes (by the way, light rail or heavy rail?)* and formed a striking bond.
Experiential learning was a remarkably impactful component of YYGS, and it permeates through the program beyond the interpersonal level. I fondly recall the seminars I attended: the first centered on Mayan textiles and the second on storytelling through art. Ixchel’s Gift reflected on the Mayan creation story, its influence on traditional textile-making through time, and how contemporary fast fashion practices endanger the art form. Interacting with these Guatemalan textiles, feeling each woven stitch, and analyzing motifs fostered an appreciation in addition to a desire to preserve and protect. Similarly, spending time in Yale University Art Gallery for my second seminar, we illustrated our own interpretation of each art piece, even if it meant adjusting the artist’s original intentions. Thus, I learned not only how art can tell a story, but also how I can identify different works to tell my story. As an oil painter, I was overjoyed to discover new ways of perceiving art.
It’s no surprise that the friendships I formed at YYGS have continued despite the end of the two weeks. Our lovely suitemate group chat remains active, as does my family group’s. I’m profoundly grateful for my attendance at Yale Young Global Scholars. The resources and academics are top tier, yet it’s the people that truly make the program special. I carry with me fresh perspectives of our world and my place in it, as I’m lucky enough to be a part of my own local community in addition to this global network with common aspirations to form a more interconnected world that we can explore together.
*while playing Spyfall, a mafia-style game, one of my family members presented this question, which revealed to me, the spy, the secret location: the train station
Author Details:
Mila Rafaty
Literature, Philosophy & Culture
CA, USA