June 17, 2009
Today was the first day and I really enjoyed it. At the airport in Washington D.C. there was Emily, a team advisor who was there to escort me to where the other students were. As we approached the sitting area I met many other participants who were also waiting for other arrivals. After we arrived at American University we were then able to meet and greet with other students. I was fascinated by the diversity of the students and the wide range of locations people were from. The others made me very comfortable and I believe this was the beginning of something new.
June 19, 2009
We began our day off with breakfast. Then we went to building Kogod 118 where we met the ambassador from Malta. It was a great experience because I’ve never had the opportunity to meet someone that had so much influence over one’s country. Today was our first day with world simulation which is world development. Each student was put in groups of eight and then assigned to design a country with certain aspects; some countries were deserts so that meant they had to trade a natural resource to a country with water so that their country wouldn’t die of famine. Later we had leadership rotation which is to develop more leadership skills; then we had Security Council.
June 21, 2009
Today was very amazing; we had boarded the buses and departed to Georgetown. It was great there and it was an experience of a lifetime. There, we were able to roam freely with a group of three or more students and experience the great things that Georgetown offered. It had many stores including Aldo, Chipotle, American Eagle, and many others. We were there for four entire hours and I enjoyed every minute of it. I shopped at many stores there. After we departed from Georgetown we went to the Holocaust Museum where we saw the many horrific battles the Jews had to endure.
June 22, 2009
Today we went to the Saudi Arabia Embassy where we learned many facts pertaining to the country. As we walked into the embassy there were life size pictures and miniature sized figures of the country. They were very detailed and very beautiful. After the meeting we had security counsel, world simulation, and college life panel. In the college life panel we learned where every staff member attended college and how it was a life changing moment. This made me realize that there are more colleges that offer what I’m interested in and that I have many back up plans for my future.
This conference was a life changing moment for me. I met many new people, went to many places, and did many things I never thought I would do. I made many new friends and went to places I never imagined of going to. I went to Georgetown, Washington at night, the Capitol Hill, the U.S. State Department, the Liberty & Ellis Island, South Street Seaport, the American Museum of Natural History, Humans Rights Watch, Time Square, the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, and the ropes course. These activities were very exciting and there was never a chance to feel jaded. I believe that this made me a better person because I feel that I improved my leadership skills, public speaking, time management skills, and my ability to never feel shy. I enjoyed every moment and I hope that I have another chance to experience something like this again.
