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  • Essay Contest Winner

    Citra Laras Kinanti (Rara), IYLP 2006, won the Legacy Essay Contest for Indonesian Participants. Her winning essay succinctly expresses the impact that attending Legacy International’s Indonesian program had on her life and her life decisions. She writes, as follows:

    Rara receives Certificate

    “Participating in IYLP 2006 was one of the most significant turning points in my life. It was my first encounter with the western world, a memorable embrace to the new environment with a whole different set of culture, perspectives, and ways of life.
    I also had the chance to have a close interaction with other Indonesians from different parts of the country most of which are strict Moslems that I barely meet back in my hometown. It was a great learning experience that taught me to take differences as a blessing instead of an obstacle in life and changed me to be an open-minded person with deeper mutual and cultural understanding. Seeing the difference between the United States and  Indonesia in terms of developments also grew personal awareness towards social issues within me and it motivated me to make contributions to my country.

    Rara and fellow graduates

    IYLP, I continued my study in Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Japan. It is a richly diverse environment where I had the chance to make friends from more than 90 countries all over the world, learning new cultures, and experience living on the other part of the world. Throughout my four years in Japan I have been focusing my non-academic activities in spreading the awareness about the importance of English. I have participated in numerous English camps as tutors, teaching assistants, and program directors both in Japan and South Korea. I have worked with more than 1,000 kids in total and I am currently working with a small organization to organize another English Camp in Indonesia.

    Indonesia is currently facing remarkably intense inter-religious problems with endless competitions between Moslems and Christians, the rises of radical Islamist groups such as the notorious Front of Defenders of Islam (FPI) and Mosque of Ahmadiyah that often ignite the fire by doing anarchic activities in the name of Islam, let alone the undercover organizations that often give wrong doctrines for people in rural areas. It is undoubtedly a serious obstacle for Indonesia because development would be impossible without unity.

    Rara in S. Korean English Camp

    In order to contribute in pursuing betterment for my country, I would focus on providing equal access to education for everyone because I personally believe that education and the opportunity to see the world has the power to shape a wiser individual and English is definitely one of the main keys of all. I would continue my master study on International Education so that I can make a better education system in Indonesia and my goal is to establish an NGO that provides opportunities for kids to join intercultural discussions where they can have a better look about what’s going on beyond the national boundaries.

    With proper education and understanding about the world, people would not be easily misled, they would have more tolerance towards differences, and I believe it can eventually further decrease the inter-religious conflicts in Indonesia and make the way for a better national development.

    My dream may sound vague at the moment but quoting from John F. Kennedy, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you. Ask instead what you can do for your country”, and I believe it is a little something I can do for my country. “…Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do” - Steve Jobs.

    Rara

  • Studying Arabic changed my life

    Delaney Glass in Menara, Morocco

    Delaney Glass, Arabic Language Institute participant 2011 sends  her enthusiastic thanks, her experience in the ALI program has changed her life’s direction and defined her future career plans. Delaney was one of twenty US students to travel to Morocco in the summer of 2011. Legacy has provided this program to US high school youth since 2006.

    “By being granted this honorable scholarship to study Arabic in Morocco my entire life changed. I gained a new perspective on North Africa and the cultures that intertwine to create a beautifully complex whole. My passion for Arabic has increased to the point that I would like to pursue Arabic for the rest of my life.

    The classes were extremely helpful because I had the opportunity to study with some of the greatest teachers in the world, in my opinion. They are extremely talented and opened the door to a new confidence with in myself, not only linguistically but culturally.

    I improved from Novice High (with little confidence in writing, reading and speaking) to Intermediate Mid (with a greater confidence in speaking, writing, reading and a huge improvement in understanding).

    Through my studies linguistically and culturally I have become aware of an entire world of new perspectives, appreciation and insight. As of now, I am continuing Arabic in my high school and hope to become a linguist in Modern Standard Arabic.  I want to use my passion for Arabic to learn as much as I can, become fluent, help those in need and be an advocate of cross cultural knowledge and understanding.

    I had an amazing experience in six weeks and I hope to return again for a gap year to continue my studies of Modern Standard Arabic as well as to learn Moroccan dialect.”

    This program offered by Legacy International (USA) in partnership with the Center for Language and Culture is part of the National Security Language Initiative for Youth. Twenty US students and two adult escorts  travel to Morocco and explore new cultures, develop friendships, and increase knowledge of Arabic language and Islamic culture. The program is  6 weeks long, intensive, academic, and highly interactive.

  • Inspiring other young people in Public Service

    Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Kuwait

    Abdullah Al-Awadhi, Legislative Fellows Program, participant

    Abdullah, who is the Chief of Staff for Kuwaiti parliament member Dr. Aseel Al-Awadhi, was placed in the office of U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, where he worked closely with the staff, learning about media strategy, policy formulation, and working with stakeholders. Abdullah returned home to Kuwait to institute the first ever internship program into the Kuwaiti Parliament, seeking to inspire college age students in Kuwait to choose civil service as a career.

    He also implemented a social media campaign for Dr. Al-Awadhi, the first of it’s kind, inspired by the use of Twitter and Facebook that he saw in the U.S. Congress.A peaceful world becomes increasingly possible when citizens are engaged in their communities, know their rights and responsibilities, and there is strong rule of law.

    “Kuwait is in the midst of a changing political, economic, and social environment… being the youngest chief of staff to 1 of 4 women parliamentarians I am committed to raising the level of professionalism amongst support staff for MPs. Through the exposure of Legacy’s programs I gained new ideas on how to run an office effectively and increase the accessibility of the MP to the people. I am also interested in inspiring other young people to pursue careers in public service.” -Abdullah Al-Awadhi,  Kuwait

    Abdullah was one of Legislative Fellows who participated in Legacy’s  Legislative Fellows Program 2009-2011 (LFP) which is designed to link community leaders  from the US with their counterparts  from Kuwait and Oman.  This two-year program identifies and supports social innovators from the Arabian Gulf, build capacity in local Civil Service Organizations (CSO) and strengthening mutual understanding of the legislative and policy making processes.

  • Alumna selected for virtual foreign service internship

    Maddy BerschHi! I’m Madeline, or Maddy for short. I’m a student at the University of Maryland- College Park, majoring in Arabic studies with a potential minor in Terrorism studies. I’m a member of the Honors College, the Director of Co-sponsorship for Student Entertainment Events (SEE), on University Student Judiciary’s Student Honor Council, and the Vice President of Off-Campus Affairs for the for the Humanities Society.

    We are please to announce that our alumna Maddy Bersch (Summer 2009  Arabic Language Institute) has been selected for the Virtual Student Foreign Service eInternship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

    Announced by Secretary Clinton at the 2009 New York University commencement speech, the Virtual Student Foreign Service is part of a growing effort by the State Department to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement.

    Working from college and university campuses in the United States and throughout the world, eInterns (American students working virtually) are partnered with our U.S. diplomatic posts overseas and State Department domestic offices to conduct digital diplomacy that reflects the realities of our networked world.

  • Kyrgyz project improves inter-ethnic relations

    Zhumagul Bolponova (Osh, Kyrgyzstan)

    Zhumagul Bolponova, Kyrgyz Women’s Initiative, participant

    In April 2010 civil unrest broke out in the Kyrgz Republic and hundreds were killed or wounded in ethnic and political violence.   As head of Too-Moyun Aiymdary (Women’s Organization of Too-Moyun) Zhumagul oversees the organization’s work of improving the socio-economic condition of women and youth. She designed a project to improve the inter-ethnic relations between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks through the mobilization of women in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Zhumagul hopes to change ethnic relations beginning at a grassroots level.

    She is training an initial group of 16 women from 4 villages experiencing ethnic tension. Her project will expand as the initial trainees then train an additional 70 women and printed instructional materials are distributed and used in conflict management and prevention trainings around the region. Read More

  • U.S. student learns Arabic in Morocco

    Catherine Haslam

    Catherine Haslam, Arabic Language Institute 2010, participant

    “ Not only did my Arabic improve significantly through the intensive study and structure of the  [ALI] Morocco program, but my understanding of Islam and Muslim culture. Within my host family, there were women who wore hijabs, women who didn’t, a very conservative uncle and a more liberal father, and teenagers who reminded me of my friends in America. I was able to achieve the intermediate Arabic certificate from the Center for Language and Culture, Marrakesh, and with it, an improved sense of diplomacy and awareness when speaking to the Moroccans. I developed the curiosity and drive to perfect my Arabic and learn as much as possible in the fields of international relations and the Middle East. …[it] stirred more curiosity that will take me through my goals in diplomacy and government, but most importantly, understanding. Oh, and it was SO MUCH FUN.”

    Catherine  first attended a different NSLI-Y Program in Egypt in Summer of 2009, and then attended Legacy’s  Arabic Language Institute program in Morocco in Summer 2010. She expresses the kind of positive  ”life changing” experience that we find happens with those attending Legacy’s programs. Read More

  • Alumni describes lasting benefits

    It is three years later and Tyler Jones is still feeling the benefits of the Arabic Language Institute program that he participated in (ALI 2008). He recently wrote Legacy’s ALI Program Director, Mitra Nafissian Rash this inspiring letter of appreciation.

    Tyler Jones, Arabic Language Institute participant 2008

    “In case you do not remember me, I traveled with your Legacy group in 2008 to Marrakesh. I am now a student at the University of Michigan and am studying abroad in Meknes, Morocco this summer as an Arabic Flagship student. I just visited Marrakesh this weekend and I felt it appropriate to email you about the trip. Read More

  • Uzbek Teacher Earns Award

    Rustam Badalov, who participated in Legacy’s 2004 Community Connections Program on education development in rural Uzbekistan, was recently awarded the 2011 Michael Casey Global Education Award for his teaching and dedication.  Mr. Badalov is teacher at the Alisher Navoiy School in the Fergana Region of Uzbekistan.

    Mr. Radalov credits his training with Legacy:
    “I received skills and experience during the exchange program with Legacy International. Thank you for organization’s program, which has educated me.  Not long ago my works have been recognized as one of the best and I have received Michael Casey Educational Award…  When we were in the USA with Community Connections exchange Program, you taught us to to act on our ideas! I am very happy that I trained with Legacy International! Thank you.” Read More

  • Sarah Al-Sharji reports from Oman

    Sarah with Congressman John Conyers (D-MI)

    It’s barely been 2 weeks since I got back to Oman, but it feels a lot longer already, just as it felt when we were in DC. Participating in the the Legislative Fellows Program has been the experience of a lifetime for me.

    In the span of one month I feel I have acquired a wealth of knowledge in so many different aspects. But the one thing that struck me the most was the hospitality extended to us by Legacy. Having participated in another State Department program before, I really felt the difference with the program administrators this time around. You have humbled us with your hospitality and kindness and that is probably the biggest thing I take back with me to Oman. Mr Rash, I congratulate you on this wonderful organization which you established and wish you continued success in all your endevours. Read More