PTPI Blog

Archive for the ‘Student Travel Programs’ Category

« Older Entries

2011 James & Eunice Doty PTPI/Congressional Award Scholarship Winners

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012
Bookmark and Share

PTPI offers young people the opportunity to apply for several scholarships each year, either for participation in PTPI programs or in support of study at a college or university. We are pleased to announce the 2011 winners of our James & Eunice Doty PTPI/Congressional Award Scholarship.

The following students were awarded full tuition for participation in PTPI’s Global Youth Forum, an annual conference for young leaders. The scholarship includes all program fees and airfare. See the PTPI website for more details on the scholarship and information on how to apply. Both of these students earned the Congressional Award in 2011.

Zach Oliver

- high school sophomore, member of the soccer team, the student council, the STEM scholars program, and the Model UN program

- has earned the Eagle Scout award from Boy Scouts of America, and the Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award certificates

- was inspired by the community service he participated in through Boy Scouts to pursue  the Congressional Award and increase his level of service, while at the same time increasing his personal growth and development.

“I would like to better understand all the people that I live with and help try to change their lives. By coexisting and helping the people I interact with, I hope to be a mentor to someone who will do the same, and I will have made a small but large impact on our earth.”

Karsyn Robb

- high school junior (planning to graduate one year early), musician with more than 200 songs written, composed, and performed publicly; All-American Scholar, past People to People Student Ambassador to Australia, State Finalist in the Utah National American Miss competition

- has earned the Congressional Award Bronze Medal, along with the Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates

- enjoys the opportunity to help her community through the Congressional Award program, and feels it has helped her grow as a member of society

“I believe even the smallest efforts to help others can make a huge difference in your community and ultimately the world. I have had the privilege to get to know many different people from all sorts of backgrounds and what I have found is that we all have a common desire to lend a helping hand to each other when we are in need of one. What I would hope to gain from my experience at PTPI’s Global Youth Forum is meeting other students who have the same passion for helping others as I do and create friendships that we will keep.”

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org

Tags: , ,
Posted in Global Youth Forum, Student Chapters, Student Travel Programs | No Comments »

Global Youth Forum 2011: Reflection on Being a Leader of Today

Thursday, November 10th, 2011
Bookmark and Share

On the opening night of the 2011 Global Youth Forum (GYF) in Kansas City, Missouri USA, PTPI Board Member Micah Kubic spoke to the delegates about how they are not the leaders of tomorrow – they are the leaders of today. He also emphasized that we all must work together to make our dream of Peace through Understanding a reality. One person cannot do it alone. We asked one of our GYF delegates to tell us how they are going to be a leader of today:

(View more photos from the GYF on PTPI’s Facebook Page)

Micah Kubic speaks to delegates at the 2011 GYF

First of all, we’re going to have to talk about what being a leader even means. As said today in the speeches I’ve heard so far at the GYF, being a leader doesn’t just mean bossing people around or being in charge. It means taking charge. Or at least that’s what it means to me. And what does taking charge mean? To me, it means sticking out, standing up, and speaking out at times where some would be too scared to lift a finger to the issue. Somewhere between peer pressure, confusing politics, and the personal values and beliefs of individual people, it can be hard to take charge, to be a leader, to do the right thing. But if I don’t, who will? To me, a true leader will do what needs to be done instead of putting trust into the hands of strangers without knowing for sure those hands are there.

So, how am I going to be a leader of today? First of all, I will not only be true to myself, I will be true to the people around me. In my lifetime I’ve seen that the best and most admirable accomplishments have been made through honesty. Which isn’t always easy to do…but that makes it that much more honorable. I will stick to my beliefs: that two wrongs don’t make a right; that hate is easy and love takes courage; that love can fix many of the world’s afflictions. Also, I will not be so set in my ways that I cannot take in new viewpoints as well. I will not only listen, but become a better listener as time goes on. I will not only speak out but become a better speaker. I will not become fearless but will learn to step forward in spite of fear. Instead of pointing out the elephant in the room, I will invite her to coffee with the rest of my friends. What isn’t talked about needs to be talked about. When volunteers are needed, I will volunteer.

The best leaders know how and when to follow other leaders, and keep an open mind and open heart. I will learn new things, befriend new people, I will not turn my back to the different, weird, bizarre or fascinating. I will admit when I am wrong. I will forgive those who do wrong, but not to the point of being used. I will be an example to those around me – an example of will, acceptance, understanding and friendship. I will understand that much of what I have written is easier said than done but will make the effort anyway.

-Adrian, Longview, Texas USA

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org

Tags:
Posted in From Our Members, Global Youth Forum, Student Travel Programs | 1 Comment »

European Youth Forum 2011: Day 5

Monday, August 15th, 2011
Bookmark and Share

The delegates who attended PTPI’s 2011 European Youth Forum (EYF) have returned home after spending nearly a week together in Berlin, Germany. Students ages 15-17 from all over Europe participated in a unique theater project, with the theme “Interacting Diversity.” Read two of the delegates’ reflections on the last day below, and see more photos from the EYF on PTPI’s Facebook Page.

Day 5

Have you ever met that old gentleman that passes and never comes back, and his name is Mr. Time? I’m sure you have. We also met him this week in Berlin. I saw him for a second and then…he ran away like a shadow. One day it was Monday and in a few seconds is Saturday. It’s like a spell. Anyway, the sad thing is that we will never be able to have a ticket to go back to the past. So, live this moment like it is your last one because Mr. Time doesn’t have feelings.

Theater performance: depicting the collision of generations and values

Today we performed the play. In a few hours we will leave this place and maybe some of us will draw a line in our minds. Don’t feel sorry for the moments when you have done mistakes.This is so wrong…to waste time thinking about useless things. Martina (the theater director) will forgive you anyway because she has a great heart. No matter what happens she will understand that maybe you were nervous or maybe a stupid thing doesn’t allow your brain to concentrate. Advice: be brave! Breathe at least a pinch of life in those words you are saying on the stage and everything will be perfect.

Theater performance: subway band, "The Guys"

This week is about to finish and we feel sorry about this. We had really special moments here. I hope that Verena and Lars (the PTPI Europe staff) are feeling the same way too. An idea would be that we should talk to Mr. Time. We should stop him in our favourite second… forever maybe.

Thank you, guys for such a week. It was brilliant! I learned a lot of useful things and I will miss you so much. We had a great time developing the play. I hope we managed to keep the bar of expectations that the participants before us have set. During this week, each person gave 21 grams of soul to find out what Peace through Understanding means. I hope everyone has succeded. Goodbye, Berlin! Goodbye Verena and Lars!

- Diana Lapusneanu, Romania

The morning started with great difficulty. The thought that it’s all going to end today made us want to never get out of bed. The friends that we made, the atmosphere full of nothing but knowledge, love and art – in other words, this small paradise that we created in the heart of Germany was something that none of us wanted to let go of. To all this grief added the pressure of the piece de resistance of the whole forum, because today we would finally perform the theatre sketch which we had been assiduously planning and rehearsing for the last two days.

Filling out evaluation forms at the close of the EYF

But there was still one thing which made our heart beat, our legs twitch and slowly crawl out of bed – the idea of spending one more day within paradise theatre. And this was a good decision, because the play went like a charm, and I swear that when the lights turned on and the applause started, I have never seen people more radiant with joy than this group of 25 teenagers. Suddenly, the grief of saying goodbye vanished in the ambush of smiles, all of us realizing that no goodbye can ever take away what we have experienced here and that our paradise will last forever in our hearts. I stand here with great pride as a leader of five such participants, but more importantly, as a witness to the miracle that PTPI has created for us, through us.

- Vadim Toader, Romania

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org

Tags: , ,
Posted in European Youth Forum, From Our Members, Student Travel Programs | No Comments »

« Older Entries