A Poem for SUSI Friends
In January and February, 20 students from Southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe) were in Seattle for a program coordinated by FIUTS, the Study of the U.S. Institute for Student Leaders on Civic Engagement (SUSI). Each student was paired with a volunteer "Ambassador" from the University of Washington, and Ambassadors served as mentors and friends during the program. SUSI Ambassador Nadrah Hushin, a University of Washington student from Malaysia, wrote this poem to remember her friendship with the SUSI students.
Warriors
O brothers and sisters!
Though thousand miles have set us apart
United we stand
And our voices become one
“Equality! Equity! For all mankind!”
We fight for all men, women and the poor
And all skin colors become a common shade
- A pure shade of love.
O brothers and sisters!
You soar high in the sky at foreign soil
Such grace, and you left us in awe
Your warm smiles
Your strong will
An inspiration for all
- Young and old.
-Nadrah Hushin
SUSI participants and Ambassadors
The Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, promote a better understanding of the people, institutions, and culture of the United States among foreign students, teachers, and scholars. Study of the U.S. Institutes are short-term academic programs for groups of undergraduate leaders, educators, and scholars from around the world.
The SUSI on Civic Engagement with students from Southern Africa is coordinated by the Foundation for International Understanding Through Students (FIUTS), a local non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Washington that promotes international friendship and cross-cultural understanding in the region.
Guest posts on the FIUTS blog represent the experiences and views of individual writers. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FIUTS or any organizations or institutions affiliated with our programs.