Yale Young Global Scholars

Andrew Chinn

“I had never fully understood the importance of diversity in academic and social contexts, nor had I ever experienced it in its true form prior to my time in the YYGS program. I’d had classes with students from different counties, different states, and different ethnic backgrounds before, and that I considered to be diversity. My peers brought their own, truly unique experiences into the discussion, bringing us ideas and insights that would have never seen the light of day in their absence. It was both humbling and enlightening.”

Yiman Deng

“It was a thrilling experience to know what opportunities and challenges people face outside my country, their traditions and lifestyles, their definitions of humanity, etc. The impact of YYGS is long-lasting.”

Ricardo Sullivan

“Before YYGS, I thought I would have been content with a business degree and a 9-5 job at an accounting firm. Because of all the fields I explored at YYGS, I have adjusted my goals to include some sort of interdisciplinary work and I am now hoping to pursue a degree in the social sciences. YYGS helped me realize that my future does not have to be limited by my current financial status and that the sky truly is the limit.”

Irene Kwon

“My favorite lecture touched on the idea of gene editing and revolutionary technology of CRISPR-Cas9. I still remember the intense debates we had on the ethics of altering our genome and the implications of such technology. Each person was ready to share their own ideas, and while we didn’t all agree, we certainly listened to one another and respected each idea. This kind of respectful discussion and exploration of science also facilitated fantastic seminars and impactful research projects.”

David Yang

“During YYGS, I was amazed by the number of diverse stories and viewpoints that everyone shared. I got a snapshot of the world that fits directly with our liberal arts curriculum.”

As a result, I applied recently to become a Canadian Trade Ambassador on the Canada-Peru Trade Mission with Global Vision and the Embassy of Canada.

Paola Moncada

“YYGS has captured the attention and imagination of high school scholars around the world like me, and I will be forever grateful for this rich experience.”

As the president of the environmental club at my school, I have begun networking with the CLEO Institute, a non-profit that works hand in hand with youth activists in Miami to educate and promote an informed and engaged public that supports climate action everywhere. The new GenCLEO empowerment movement engages and empowers high school and college students, as well as young professionals, to take climate action.

Laura Moço

“During our seminar on anti-microbial resistance, I learned how dangerous the indiscriminate use of antibiotics is and how the lack of information on this topic can lead to a global health crisis. More importantly, I realized how pervasive this problem is, even in my own community. I have since started looking for ways to reverse the situation, ideating a team project to raise awareness in local schools. While I search for solutions, my summer experience has given me the courage and hope to take action.”

Aaryana Sethi

“Before YYGS, I’d traveled quite a lot, even living in India for two years. But, the majority of that travel was as a tourist—sight-seeing, going to museums, watching plays—meaning that I was constantly surrounded by others that were also there to observe the culture rather than take part in it. YYGS allowed me to do the latter—I was no longer a “tourist of culture,” but actually got to know people from those cultures and the ways in which we were different and alike.”

Lea Despotis

“It was incredible to experience an environment where people from all different backgrounds can unite with a shared interest to deeply explore complex ideas and solutions.”

Gustavo Burgos Aviles

“My favourite lecture was “Cooperation, Competition and Conflict” by Tedd Wittenstein. I learned how Russian cyber threats to the American government affects their political relationship, and we explored how cyberspace is a big part of the life of every individual.”