We spoke with high school junior Daphnee about her experiences in AIDemocracy’s 2011 Global Scholar program. Here’s what she had to say:
Give us a quick overview of Global Scholar Daphnee!
Global Scholar is a fantastic, eye-opening experience. Skilled, knowledgeable facilitators teach international affairs and global issues in a safe, respectful and fun environment.
Tell us more!
The Global Scholar program was a great and easy introduction to international affairs and issues. As a foreign student, from Canada, it was very easy to take part. I was greeted at the Washington airport by my Global Scholar counselor who took me right to the residence where I would stay for the whole program. I didn’t have to worry about being alone in a foreign country, taking a taxi, getting lost, etc. I really, really appreciated that the Global Scholar program took care of me as soon as I landed in Washington, DC! (I know my mother really liked that, too. She didn’t have to worry at all.)
Tell us about a typical day.
We had classes in the mornings and afternoons. In the mornings, we usually focused on a speaker and a topic – including global hunger, climate change, women’s rights, nuclear weapons and security. We had several different speakers who were all experts in their subjects. Some were professors, others were from NGOs, some worked in the White House. All were very interesting to listen to and obviously had in-depth knowledge of their subject. After we listened to the speakers, we broke off into smaller discussion groups. As a Canadian I enjoyed learning how Americans felt about these topics. I found we all believe in human rights; however, we believe in different ways to provide human rights. Everyone’s opinion was respected at Global Scholar!
In the afternoons, we either had classes or went on educational field trips to the US Congress, Senate and the World Bank. We also visited non-profit organizations, for example a group that monitors World Bank projects to make sure they benefit the country as a whole, not just the economy. We also went to the Botswanian and French embassies.
What did you do outside of the classroom Daphnee?
Global Scholar wasn’t all work and no play. There were tons of field trips; we went to a Washington Nationals baseball game, we went to several Smithsonian exhibitions, we had game nights and movie nights to just relax with the new friends we met. In between our classes and our field trips, we had a couple of special projects to complete. One was to create a campaign for an organization to solve an issue in the world – the issues ranged from women’s rights to land ownership
What did you like best about Global Scholar?
What I liked most about the Global Scholar program was listening to the knowledgeable speakers and understanding the issues better; not just learning the issues but understanding what countries are doing to actually fix the problem, to try to find solutions. I also enjoyed meeting new people. It was nice because we could express different points of view, for example, what somebody else might believe from another country and you weren’t shunned for bringing up the opinion. You were voicing someone’s opinion felt by someone somewhere in the world and that voice was respected at Global Scholar. As an international student, I realized that the U.S. and Canada aren’t just separated by a border; I found that our cultures are really different.
How was the campus?
I felt really safe at American University. The campus was a nice little campus with a cafeteria close by and a new International Affairs building. There was an athletic centre nearby. Everything was within walking distance. When we weren’t walking, we took a free university campus shuttle to the metro station which is unusually clean! The dorms were nice; the rooms were furnished. Even though we shared a bathroom with our roommates and a couple of other groups that were there, they stayed fairly clean. For those who wanted, there were laundry facilities to use.
How has Global Scholar impacted you?
After studying with the Global Scholar program, I have a more critical eye of world events, issues and human rights. When I am reading the news online or in a newspaper, I don’t just accept what is written. I can now read between the lines and think about why that problem happened, how it might be resolved and who is impacted by the problem.
I also feel freer to express multiple viewpoints and solutions to a problem. I understand that there is not one right answer to a problem especially when it is a global issue. Many countries can be impacted. Also, countries can have different cultures so their solutions may be different.
What issues really motivate you now?
I feel pretty strongly about human rights. I find it difficult to accept that some women and children in other parts of the world still are treated unfairly and unequally. I now write opinions on world issues through blogs, etc. which I feel I can express in a reasoned way thanks to my debate and discussion experience with Global Scholar.
One such example is the news that the King of Saudi Arabia has recently (September 2011) granted women the right to vote beginning in 2015. They still can’t drive and must travel abroad with a “male guardian”. I understand there are cultural differences that have long been embedded in some countries but I don’t see much harm in allowing women to drive (I’m getting my driver’s licence when I turn 16). I certainly can’t see why simply driving a vehicle would warrant lashes. I truly believe that women deserve to be treated equally everywhere. We are not sub-human or inferior to men. At least, I don’t feel that way!
Any final words?
Everyone was friendly at Global Scholar. My counselor was so incredibly nice and inclusive and smart! The other students became instant friends and I love keeping in touch with them. Overall, Global Scholar was a very positive teen experience for me that took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to issues and institutions that I hope to become involved with in the future.
Check out the 2012 Global Scholar sessions! We’re offering both school-year and summer sessions for high school and college students.
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