“A big fish in a small pond” or “A small fish in a big pond.” Which one would you choose? This question was asked during my YYGS family time session. At that moment, all my doubts were relieved, and I began to look at myself in a different light. I had a flashback of my application process, from the very first moment I knew about YYGS: “YYGS has opened the application process.” Suddenly, a storm of doubts swept through me: who am I, and why would I be the chosen one? Despite those bleak whispers, there was a quiet voice deep within me that gently asked: Why not? In the depths of my being, a light was reignited by my passion, persistence, and the ability to turn life’s fractures into fuel like a glowing flame on a deserted island. I submitted my application, and when I was accepted, an urgent courtroom was summoned within me. Doubt stood as the prosecutor, shouting: Where is the money? How will you get a visa? Stop! But I didn’t listen. Instead, I invited doubt to a feast of faith and laid before it a golden-inked letter, detailing the steps for applying to financial aid and the visa when, where, and with whom. Every word I wrote melted fear like sunlight melts mountain snow.
Today, I write these words as living proof that when your heart truly desires something, the whole world conspires to support you. What you do, and what you think, defines you; it is never lost, but the fear of not being fit makes you forget. At the same time, it’s important to know that it will never erase it. Thank you, YYGS, for being the key to my inner voice and to dreams that no longer fear the clouds. From the very first moment I arrived at YYGS, I was so amazed by the people who were there that I started to question if I was like them. That question reminded me of something unique: that it doesn’t matter if you’re the biggest in the room, but at least you are on the right track and you are trying to become better. YYGS was the highlight of my summer. Everything about it seemed like “Give it a chance,” and then I found myself amazed by the result. When I first arrived at YYGS, I felt lost and didn’t know what was about to come up. But I decided to “give it a chance” and step out of my comfort zone. And it was one of the best experiences. I met incredible friends from all around the world who shaped my view of YYGS. Even though YYGS was a short time, the connections that I have made make saying goodbye way harder than I expected. Hanging around with friends after the sessions, lectures, and seminars seemed like heaven.
YYGS was worth it; it was worth giving it a chance.
Sidra, Syria, YYGS 2025