This story was originally published by Rin , a YES alumna from Kosovo, on the YES Program website. Rin spent her exchange year in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
I always say that YES students on their exchange year are the most positive, energetic, and inspiring people. In March 2017, Civic Education Week (CEW) in Washington, D.C., gave me the opportunity to be an alumni mentor to 100 YES students from all over the world placed in very different places in the US
Every single person I met from this group was simply amazing. Their stories, leadership skills, and passion to change their communities not only inspired me but allowed me to see the great things they will be doing as alumni once they finish their YES year.
During my journey, I met some people that had a big role in making the workshop one of the most unique experiences I have had so far. I spent every single day with my two fellow alumni, Aboud from Gaza and Leah from Kenya, YES Program Manager Megan Lysaght, and Jim Dykstra, an advisor to American Councils.
Together we went to Capitol Hill, where we had 20 meetings with US Senators and House Representatives and shared our stories. During these meetings, the other two alumni and I spoke about the importance of the YES program, how this program changed our lives, and what we now do for our communities back home. We shared our experiences so often that we began to memorize each other's speech by heart!
The best part was that they became my biggest source of inspiration. Every representative we met had great interest in listening to our stories. Our prepared speeches became long stories and discussions about the importance of exchange programs, and everyone we spoke to was very supportive of these programs.
The week continued with our alumni presentations at the State Department and the American Councils office. Engagement was also spread all over the world through a Facebook Live stream of our presentation and through the State Department's Instagram stories, which we all really enjoyed being a part of.
Just as it began, Civic Education Week ended with a gathering of all the people who made this week possible and fun, with new friendships and students whose stories will be heard again on Capitol Hill!
About the YES Program
Congress established the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program in October 2002 in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The program is funded through the US Department of State and sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) to provide scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to spend up to one academic year in the United States.
Students live with American host families, attend high school, engage in activities to learn about US society and values, acquire leadership skills, and help educate Americans about their countries and cultures.