The simulation was my favorite part. In a group of four, we changed from initial strangers to intimate friends who tell one another everything. Since we came from diverse backgrounds, sharing local culture was the most fascinating part of our discussion. YYGS also created a lot of first-time memories for me: I acted as an attorney in the mock trial, I shared my Manchu identity with foreigners, and I learned about Cyber Security.
I was most inspired by Memma Uponi who founded Forever Gratis. Listening to her talk about the work she does has inspired a lot of the work I do now. She spoke about women’s violence in Nigeria and how it goes unnoticed. As someone who is a sexual abuse survivor myself, I personally connected with her work. Since speaking with her, I’ve taken a lot of action myself. I’ve started writing for Muanzo Mpya, which is an organization that raises awareness for Kibera.
The simulation project was also one of my favorite experiences. My group and I started a non-profit that provides support for substance abuse recovery, and we are still running it today. My simulation group and I have been able to provide support and resources for thousands of people and we hope to continue to do so!
YYGS provided us with the opportunity to listen to an alumni panel. The alumni talked about their experiences at YYGS and, most importantly, the initiatives that they started. I was able to draw a few parallels between myself and the alumni, and, most importantly, feel that I am not alone. I wish to follow the path of those alumni who have inspired me to grow my organization and put my best foot forward.
I was impressed with Shu Yi Zhou’s lecture. She told us a powerful story about how she managed to overcome her fears and challenges to pursue a peaceful education. I was touched because we have some similarities in both background and desire. She inspired me to step out of the fear of my underprivileged environment and chase my dreams no matter where life takes me.
My most memorable experiences at YYGS – and this was an incredibly difficult choice – had to do with the Simulation Project. Our group’s proposed solution was the culmination of three core principles of YYGS: excellent academics, deep discussions, and interactions between diverse groups of people. In fact, this component was so impactful that we are still working on a similar issue, to this day!
Thanks to YYGS, I now have the self-confidence to apply to top universities in the UK, and it has also made me want to study a subject with international ties, since I enjoyed studying with students from other nationalities. The lecturers that I met were truly inspirational as they had not just dedicated their lives to their field, but that they were also humble enough to impart some of their knowledge onto us.
I think YYGS was like an exchange program. Why exchange? Because I learned from the others, but I also taught them at the same time. I raised my voice and said “Hey, I’m Latino, I’m Guatemalan, but above all, I’m human such as you.”
At YYGS Connect, I got meet a community of curious learners, all signing on at different times of the day and putting aside the hustle of everyday life to commit to a learning experience unlike any other. Not only did YYGS teach me about the global problems that we are now facing, but it also pushed us to find the solution to these problems.
One of the most surprising aspects of YYGS was that my questions were fully answered. The professors and lecturers found every idea intriguing and attentively respected my thoughts. It was the first time in which I realized the true joy and love of learning. This led me to think that it does not necessarily have to be something grand that could be a subject of study, but rather something that excites me.
