Embrace the Awkward
For the past week and a half, students from various countries in the Caribbean were in Seattle for a program coordinated by FIUTS, in a contract with World Learning, called Youth Ambassador Program. We will be posting the students' reflection and experiences over the next week. Here's a post by Sefanja, a student from Suriname:
Hi,my name is Sefanja Warner Youth Ambassador of my lovely country Suriname.
I'm 18 years old and this year I'm finishing my high school. I love to design things, make cupcakes and birthday cakes, I also love to travel, shopping and singing. During this Youth Ambassador exchange program I've learned a lot. Although I'm just 2 days in Seattle I have learned a lot of things that I will definitely bring home to my country.
At first I want to implement a P-patch on a bigger scale in Suriname where all the food will be given to poor people who can't afford a daily meal everyday. The second thing I've learned is that if you want to be a good ambassador you have to be open minded, give respect to get respect, say things in a diplomatic way, this can help you to not hurt people feelings. This is a good way to represent your country.
A lesson I surely will take home is embrace the awkwardness. Get COMFORTABLE with the UNCOMFORTABLE. As an individual I want to develop my leadership skills more and I also want to figure out which way would be better to do a community service/project.
The Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) Caribbean program is 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. YAP is a program run by World Learning, a nonprofit organization empowering people and strengthening institutions through education, sustainable development, and exchange programs in more than 60 countries.
The program in Seattle 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.