Thoughts, Reflections, Insights from the IELC
Do you have time for one more question? I asked Aurore Latremouille as our interview late in the International Emerging Leaders Conference was winding to a conclusion.
Though eager to return to her group and continue preparation for the evening’s design-pitch presentation, the soft-spoken, polite student from Saint-Denis International School in Loches, France, smiled and nodded affirmatively.
For several minutes she had stood in the Saunders Family Library and shared with me in flawless English her impressions of the fifth annual IELC hosted by Collegiate from October 3–12.
She had given a glowing review of the program’s curriculum that focused on environmental and economic issues. She had talked of the spirit and collegiality of the delegates from a dozen nations spanning four continents. She had raved about American cuisine and the graciousness of her Richmond hosts.
But my final query stumped her momentarily: Once you’re home, how will you remember this experience?
Aurore hesitated as she formulated her answer.
Umm…how do you say…? she began as she struggled to summon the proper words.
She paused again.
Why don’t you answer in French? I suggested. I have a friend who can translate.
Really! she replied excitedly.
Absolutely, I answered.
OK, she said, and then she launched into an impassioned response, which, I sensed, echoed the sentiments of all who attended the symposium.
Thanks to the expertise and kindness of my colleague Monica Johnston, Aurore’s powerful testimony went like this:
It (the IELC) has truly allowed us to open the world to others and share incredible moments together. We all have different environmental problems. Put us all together, and, at the end of the day, we are all the same. I’ll always have wonderful memories of this trip with intense shared experiences. In all, it was incredible.
The 45 international delegates flew home early this week. Our 18 senior ambassadors have returned to class. Their lives will never be the same, however, for all have been truly enriched and enlightened.
What follows are thoughts and observations from several of our visitors about America, Collegiate, and the IELC.
Fahd Ksara, Morocco
This is my first time in the United States. Collegiate is a very fun place. I was surprised to see how big the campus is. I’m having a lot of fun sharing the experience. I’ve seen many new stores and restaurants that we don’t have in Morocco. So, really, the USA has a different culture than Morocco. Back home, I speak in French and Arabic. I’m not used to speaking English every day. I’ve improved my English, actually.
Ananmay Jain, India
The technology we are using (in the IELC) is very good. I really want that in my school.
My American parents, the Shinns, are so welcoming and helpful. They are like my own parents. My host brother, Connor Shinn, feels like my brother.
This conference has many people from different countries. In my group, I have an Italian, an American, and a Moroccan. We have different ideas from our regions, but we merged them into one idea that covered all the aspects. The learning I’ll take home is that no matter how different you may be, somewhere inside, you’re all the same. Once you find that out, I believe you can achieve something bigger.
Yolanda Liu, China
The American students who are leading (the study groups) are really active. Leading by students is quite different from China. Chinese students tend to be shier, but I’ve become more confident. It’s important to think about leadership, to express your ideas so that other people will understand that you’re not just shy and keeping ideas to yourself.
I’ve met people from different countries. First, we didn’t know each other. Later, we worked together, exchanged ideas, trust each other. Even though sometimes we can’t speak English very well, we’re trying to express ourselves. Then, we take all the ideas together to make one thing successful. To collaborate is really important.
Mirkomol Mirzarakhimov, Lebanon
I heard the food was good, and it’s actually amazing. The infrastructure of Richmond is great. Everything’s on point, well organized, well architected, you could say. The city is well built. Roads are good. Traffic is organized. That’s very impressive. Everything’s smooth. Nothing like Beirut. Collegiate is amazing. The facilities are great. The staff is amazing.
Nicola Wenhold, South Africa
Richmond is mind-blowing. Buildings are so big. You live in big houses. Back in South Africa, most houses are smaller.
The conference has been great. We are meeting so many new people who speak different languages and look different, but we’re here for the same thing, which is developing leaders.
At home, we don’t drive yet. We only drive at 18. (Earlier in the week), we went out with friends and got ice cream without having parents dropping us off and getting us back. It’s amazing to be so independent at this young age. We didn’t have any adult to supervise us.
I’m actually a very shy person. I struggle talking to people and in front of people. I’ve gained confidence. I’ve learned that we all have accents. We wear different things. In the end, we all want to be leaders. To be leaders, you have to stand up and overcome your fears.
-- Weldon Bradshaw
Back
For several minutes she had stood in the Saunders Family Library and shared with me in flawless English her impressions of the fifth annual IELC hosted by Collegiate from October 3–12.
She had given a glowing review of the program’s curriculum that focused on environmental and economic issues. She had talked of the spirit and collegiality of the delegates from a dozen nations spanning four continents. She had raved about American cuisine and the graciousness of her Richmond hosts.
But my final query stumped her momentarily: Once you’re home, how will you remember this experience?
Aurore hesitated as she formulated her answer.
Umm…how do you say…? she began as she struggled to summon the proper words.
She paused again.
Why don’t you answer in French? I suggested. I have a friend who can translate.
Really! she replied excitedly.
Absolutely, I answered.
OK, she said, and then she launched into an impassioned response, which, I sensed, echoed the sentiments of all who attended the symposium.
Thanks to the expertise and kindness of my colleague Monica Johnston, Aurore’s powerful testimony went like this:
It (the IELC) has truly allowed us to open the world to others and share incredible moments together. We all have different environmental problems. Put us all together, and, at the end of the day, we are all the same. I’ll always have wonderful memories of this trip with intense shared experiences. In all, it was incredible.
The 45 international delegates flew home early this week. Our 18 senior ambassadors have returned to class. Their lives will never be the same, however, for all have been truly enriched and enlightened.
What follows are thoughts and observations from several of our visitors about America, Collegiate, and the IELC.
Fahd Ksara, Morocco
This is my first time in the United States. Collegiate is a very fun place. I was surprised to see how big the campus is. I’m having a lot of fun sharing the experience. I’ve seen many new stores and restaurants that we don’t have in Morocco. So, really, the USA has a different culture than Morocco. Back home, I speak in French and Arabic. I’m not used to speaking English every day. I’ve improved my English, actually.
Ananmay Jain, India
The technology we are using (in the IELC) is very good. I really want that in my school.
My American parents, the Shinns, are so welcoming and helpful. They are like my own parents. My host brother, Connor Shinn, feels like my brother.
This conference has many people from different countries. In my group, I have an Italian, an American, and a Moroccan. We have different ideas from our regions, but we merged them into one idea that covered all the aspects. The learning I’ll take home is that no matter how different you may be, somewhere inside, you’re all the same. Once you find that out, I believe you can achieve something bigger.
Yolanda Liu, China
The American students who are leading (the study groups) are really active. Leading by students is quite different from China. Chinese students tend to be shier, but I’ve become more confident. It’s important to think about leadership, to express your ideas so that other people will understand that you’re not just shy and keeping ideas to yourself.
I’ve met people from different countries. First, we didn’t know each other. Later, we worked together, exchanged ideas, trust each other. Even though sometimes we can’t speak English very well, we’re trying to express ourselves. Then, we take all the ideas together to make one thing successful. To collaborate is really important.
Mirkomol Mirzarakhimov, Lebanon
I heard the food was good, and it’s actually amazing. The infrastructure of Richmond is great. Everything’s on point, well organized, well architected, you could say. The city is well built. Roads are good. Traffic is organized. That’s very impressive. Everything’s smooth. Nothing like Beirut. Collegiate is amazing. The facilities are great. The staff is amazing.
Nicola Wenhold, South Africa
Richmond is mind-blowing. Buildings are so big. You live in big houses. Back in South Africa, most houses are smaller.
The conference has been great. We are meeting so many new people who speak different languages and look different, but we’re here for the same thing, which is developing leaders.
At home, we don’t drive yet. We only drive at 18. (Earlier in the week), we went out with friends and got ice cream without having parents dropping us off and getting us back. It’s amazing to be so independent at this young age. We didn’t have any adult to supervise us.
I’m actually a very shy person. I struggle talking to people and in front of people. I’ve gained confidence. I’ve learned that we all have accents. We wear different things. In the end, we all want to be leaders. To be leaders, you have to stand up and overcome your fears.
-- Weldon Bradshaw
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