Giving Back in Seattle
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 Adrian, an ambassador from Trinidad:
Wow what a day! Today was a nothing short of an amazing, unforgettable day that could never be fully expressed in mere 3 paragraphs, but I will try my best. The day began with a visit to the Northwest Food Bank in which my heart was truly moved. As I assisted in the distribution of potatoes, onions, fruits and vegetables to the persons, they gave me back something much more valuable in return -- a warm smile. I couldn't help but smile in elation as I felt the gratitude that was radiating from them. We also got the opportunity to meet so many people with so many different stories ranging from a Fijian to another person from the Caribbean and to hear their stories as we told ours. I was reminded how important it was to give back to a community and was in exchange rewarded with another life changing unforgettable memory.
Next we were to visit the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation where I learnt a great deal about the problems that are affecting people worldwide and their approach on the matter. It was very intriguing to see all the prototypes which tied back quite a bit with creativity workshops. I was truly in awe at the uniqueness of their exhibits, including and not limited to the rotating walls, the interactive and indulging activities which were fun, informative and was productive to both us and the foundation. In my opinion it was a very appropriate activity for this program and was a great opportunity to have since, in their words, we were on an interactive journey that brings to life the connections we share with others across the globe.
To close off the day we visited the wondrous Space Needle followed by a fun-filled dinner with fellow Ambassadors. The Space Needle simply gave us a full 360° perspective of Seattle mentally and physically. The range of persons present there was as large as the range of sceneries we could observe at 500 ft in the air. It was very relaxing and was a good tool to settle me down from the stupefying day we had. I was able to take away so much new knowledge and experiences especially when I was giving back.Today was, for me, the best day in Seattle thus far and one of the best days of my life.
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.