I have lived in the Middle East since I was four years old. Due to the region’s social set-up and constraints, I developed a passion for promoting freedom of speech and equality. However, it has always been difficult to openly discuss these topics. YYGS provided an inclusive environment that encouraged students to share their opinions on a variety of subjects. I was able to discuss issues I was passionate about and explore approaches to addressing these issues.
Before joining YYGS, I had established the Education 4 Everyone (E4E) program at my school. The program focused on helping the maintenance staff who are primarily from South Asia learn English with student volunteers. A working knowledge of English would not only boost their career prospects but also allow them to engage with others in the community.
The lectures and seminars at YYGS highlighted the increased impact of scaling a project using a structured approach. I especially noticed this in a lecture about growing an entrepreneurial initiative. I also recognized the importance of patience and perseverance in scaling up existing projects.
I applied this understanding by adding a wider variety of subjects including Mathematics and Digital Literacy to the E4E curriculum. This increased scope would help the staff develop an interdisciplinary mindset and a diverse set of skills. I am also working with other schools in the region that have similar staff to spread this initiative and impact a larger global community. My knowledge and experiences from YYGS helped me make E4E more enduring and have it outlast my time in high school.