Bosnia Youth Leadership Spring 2013: Adapting

Youth Leadership Program participants write about their visits to local high schools and to Olympia and share their thoughts on getting used to life in Seattle.

Here's the latest update from the participants in this Spring's Youth Leadership Program with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Over the weekend, the group traveled to Olympia, and they have also had the opportunity to visit local schools and to volunteer in food banks, shelters, and parks. In the posts below, Azra, Natasa, and Andela write about their experiences as they get used to life in Seattle.

The New Way of Life - by Azra Hrnjic

Azra

So proud to be a part of this program with wonderful people!

So proud to visit the biggest multicultural community in the world. Two weeks ago, since we landed, I knew that this program will be one of the best things happened to me so far. And visiting the USA was my biggest wish since early childhood.

I can’t thank my host family enough because they make me feel like at my own home and I feel like I assimilated to the new way of life.

Through my staying here I had a chance to see drastic differences in American society, which changed my view. On the one hand, through our visits, including City Hall and all those important places, we could see the top of the society, but on the other hand, we could see the opposite, sad side: poor people at the Foodbank.

In today’s workshop, we were supposed to find out our core values, that every one of us own and that can also help us in our understanding and improving leadership skills.

For these two weeks, I learned lots of new things and gained new experiences in leading and networking.

I also have some hopes and expectations, but they are related to my country - I’m looking forward to helping our communities through our projects.

Like a Movie - by Natasa Matic

Natasa

Have you ever watched a movie and imagined that you're doing the same things at the same places as those characters? I know I did. But I never thought that can come true.

A few days ago, we visited Chief Sealth High School. It was an amazing experience for me, walking through those hallways and going to classes. Stupid, but it made me feel like I was in a movie. Today, we went to Roosevelt High, and now I get a chance to compare two schools, both different from my own.

No offense to Roughriders, but Seahawks are much friendlier and they showed more interest in a bunch of strangers who wander around trough their school, hoping not to get lost (again). But I must say, the Hands For a Bridge crew is really cool, and they sure do sing...a lot :)

Their program, 'Hands For a Bridge', gave them an opportunity to go to Northern Ireland/South Africa, and they actually just got home a few weeks ago. We spent some time talking with them about their experiences and comparing theirs with ours.

Besides that (and me driving Maja crazy while shopping, later the same day), the most interesting part of the day was the fire alarm. During Physics, something started to make a REALLY big noise, and, before I realized, everyone was heading out to the football field. I think that was actually the first time I heard the fire alarm. Nobody EVER activated the fire alarm in my school...Wait, do we even have one? Never mind.

The important thing is that I experienced something new. And that the alarm interrupted Physics.

It only leaves me with one question: If you activate a fire alarm by pulling that handle, does it leave any trace on your hands?

Youth Making a Difference - by Andela Mihajlovic

Andela

On Friday we visited Olympia – the capital of Washington State. We enjoyed seeing some buildings where important decisions are made every day. It was very interesting to learn what the governor has to do, what are obligations of members of the Senate and House of Representatives. However, I will remember Olympia as the city of youth!

So many young people who are interested in politics are giving hope that this world can be better placed to live in. The Youth Government program gives them the opportunity to express their ideas and opinions. All of them are ready to make a change! All of them are full of optimism! All of them believe in success! And they will succeed!

After the program, they are encouraged to be active in local communities. They gain experience in solving problems in the community and also learn how law and civic engagement are important in our lives.

Those young people are ready to be leaders! They are ready to deal with challenges! They are ready to make a difference! It's time for us to hear their voices! It’s their time, youth time!

Photo: Andela (right) with Amina (left) and their host sister, Tinley (center) in Olympia.

---