“YYGS Connect gifted me with new friendships, taught me to embrace global opportunities, and proved that great experiences still exist in a pandemic.”
As an individual who’s passionate about exploring my artistic interests in theatre and dance, the pandemic completely displaced me from the stage and launched me into a foreign online space like anyone else. Since then nothing significant has happened but I’ve been making small strides.
“I was fully present and immersed myself in each YYGS lecture; there was no need to memorize or ‘study.’ I was simply embarking on this process of exploring ideas—definitely a new and refreshing take on learning.”
“I was able to engage with a diverse student body, which not only allowed me to learn about other cultures and communities, but also share my own experiences and make friends who I still remain in touch with and have bonded with, long after the first two weeks in which we interacted.”
I had an amazing experience at YYGS Connect, but I couldn’t help but think about the less fortunate individuals in my community in Noida, India, who didn’t have the same privileges as me to partake in online learning during the pandemic.
“With the education and perspectives I gained at YYGS, I have become a better informed leader and listener to others–I hope to extend my experience though becoming an ambassador.”
“YYGS has changed me in terms of perspectives. At the moment, it is easier for me to understand international news because of my contact with different young people like me around the world.”
“YYGS was a completely new experience for me. At school, we had to prepare for specific courses, but YYGS was more ‘instantaneous.’ The program focused on our thinking abilities rather than prepared material. No one wrote grades, and it was extremely important since no students were pressured.”
“My favorite seminar in SGC was, “ Building Happy Cities - Designing Beautiful, Sustainable, & Equitable Spaces in the 21st Century,” presented by instructor Cameron Kritikos. I was intrigued by this seminar for it focused on how we can make our environment sustainable using human centered urban design.”
“YYGS Connect helped me realize that you can make anything work, and you can have an unforgettable time as long as you are willing to put in the effort and have the right mindset. I learned how to create good times and memories amid a pandemic and this was achieved through Family Time–the most memorable part of the program for me. I got to bond with people from different countries and walks of life, and I learned to appreciate and celebrate the differences in our diversity.”
“YYGS has made me more open-minded with a thirst to learn about many more things that impacts my community through youth talks, seminars, and conferences. On top of that, I have learned to embrace the diversity of people and intersectionality, and I am very happy and feel proud of being part of YYGS 2020.”
“YYGS has been a very wholesome experience for me. I learned the value of diversity and heard from students from 130 countries. My experience has fostered my intellectual curiosity and deepened my understanding of world issues.”
