During the summer two of our students, Abdul Abo Shokusr (’17) and Yangzom Dolma (’17) attended a Summer Programme at Yale University. Here is Abdul’s report:

Starting with the sophisticated yet intriguing Marbury v. Madison case and ending with capstone project presentations, ‘TED’ talk series and a talent show, two of our students (Yangzom and Abdul) participated at the Yale Young Global Scholar this summer.

Programme participants

Programme participants

Since 2001, Yale University has hosted a summer programme for high school students. Due to overwhelming interest in the programme, Yale offered six different programmes for summer 2016. The two UWC Red Cross Nordic students participated in the programme focussing on Politics, Law and Economics. Students for this programme stayed at the largest residential college at Yale, Pierson, a wonderful campus of gothic architecture and suddenly – 260 energetic high school students and talented specialists from all around the globe.

The programme lasted for two weeks – from the 19th of June until the 2nd of July. The experience was astonishing, eye-opening and instructive. The topics of the lectures extended from the American constitution to the economics of poverty alleviation to international law. During the programme, opportunities were given to students to participate in a culture show, talk series, special meals with Yale faculty team including its professors, PhD candidates and the dean of the college and we also had tours around Yale Law School.

Yangzom and Abdul in their groupEngaging in thought-provoking seminars, listening to controversial opinions in the lecture hall, taking part in round-table fruitful discussions, exploring new academic interests, researching for capstone projects and spending ‘family time’ with people from different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. All of that helped shape the experience of YYGS Students who left the New Haven campus with greater intellectual curiosity, enhanced academic interests and a new network of people representing all the 50 states of the United States and over a hundred nations.

For UWC students the experience of living with people from all around the world is not new, nevertheless, being in a similar atmosphere for an extensive educational program within one of the best universities around the world was an unforgettable experience.

Please write to us with your experiences during the summer.