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European Youth Forum 2011: Day 1

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

The 2011 European Youth Forum (EYF) is currently taking place in Berlin, Germany, bringing together students ages 15-17 from all over Europe. Students apply to attend the conference in groups of five, accompanied by one group leader.

The first day of the EYF was dedicated to teambuilding. Participants discussed their fears and expectations, and games helped to break the ice and build relationships. In the afternoon, the group visited Berlin and completed a quest in five small international teams. The teams approached and interacted with people in the city as part of the quest, while at the same time visiting the main sites of Berlin, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer Platz, Sony Center and Reichstag. See more photos from the EYF on PTPI’s Facebook Page and read some of the participants’ perspectives on the day below.

European Youth Forum 2011 delegates in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany

Day 1

Sometimes we tend to think in opposites, but not today, not this week. This week we want to find out how Peace through Understanding works. On Monday, everybody had a box of emotions in their stomach on the way to the EYF, but today it’s better. We tried somehow to put a spell on us when we left home, just to be sure that everything will be perfect, but now we don’t need any spell at all.Our souls are happy now! The atmosphere here is great, the people are also great. We visited Berlin, we made friends and we have already many memories to keep and stories to tell. I’m sure that some of us will keep those memories in their hearts. At first it seems difficult to communicate with each other, but as friends we can do it. Remember: it’s never simple! Step by step, everything will be easier and we will be able to develop a theatre play together, as a team. Maybe this is the gentle persuasion for our brains and souls. However,we enjoy the moment as much as possible because nothing ever lasts. At the end of the week, we will be separated and for sure we will miss our mates. Anyway, I’m proud to announce to you that the European Youth Forum rolls!

- Diana Lapusneanu, Romania

EYF delegates participate in a teambuilding activity

Berlin, Germany. It’s the place which will leave you with only one word – WOW! Sightseeing in the foregin country is the first thing that everyone does after unpacking their luggage and of course this was the first thing we did. While being in several groups, everyone saw the most important places and monuments in Berlin. The places which make Berlin what it is. Even though those buildings and monuments all have their unique architechture and their history, I would say that one place, or, to be more precise, one memorial, had the greatest impact on me and I believe that I was not the only one: The Holocaust Memorial. I think that this is the place, which one can not describe with words. One has to see it. To feel it.

If you go to this memorial you have to pass a place which you just cannot ignore because of its structure, architecture and tallness: Brandenburg Gate. While people all over the world gather at this gate you can just stand in the center, gaze at the top of the gate, and understand the whole history of it. The gate was more or less was the separator of western and eastern Berlin (though the wall was built near the gate). And last but not least, a memorial that really is worth seeing is the Pieces of the Wall. Yes, the Berlin Wall that was destroyed in 1989. The wall that was seperating friends, families, sisters and brothers from each other. When one sees the wall, he/she will feel the emotion that people had while standing on the different sides of the wall. The most impressive thing was the chewing gum. But lets leave the story of the chewing gum for the future…because maybe someday you will see it too.

- Shmagi Liklikadze, Georgia

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

Tags: Berlin, European Youth Forum, Student Chapters
Posted in European Youth Forum, Student Travel Programs | 3 Comments »

EXPERIENCE: South Africa – Final Day

Monday, July 25th, 2011

All of the 29 EXPERIENCE delegates are back home safely, but we didn’t want you to miss out on reading about their final day in South Africa. View more photos from their adventure on PTPI’s Facebook Page.

Our final day in the beautiful country of South Africa was marked by stunning natural scenery and much camaraderie as we visited the resort town of Sun City, roughly two and a half hours outside of Johannesburg. We left our hotel in the financial district of Sandton promptly at seven o’clock, driving past scenic mountain lakes and traversing seemingly endless miles of African bush. The landscape was dotted with numerous mines and mining townships, a reminder of South Africa’s abundance of natural resources. Our guide Tanya informed us that the country produces eighty percent of the world’s platinum and is home to a 300 mile long gold vein, a fact that sparked debate as to why so many South African government initiatives face severe underfunding.

Singing and drumming in Johannesburg

Upon our arrival in Sun City, we transferred to safari vehicles for the short drive to an African drumming clinic. This provided a fitting sense of closure and circularity to our time as a group, as we participated in a similar drum circle at the Masiphumelele visitor’s center on the first day of the program. We learned several basic drumming patterns from our instructor, and a few members of our group who were themselves percussionists were afforded the chance to demonstrate their skills.

Heading out on safari in Pilanesberg National Park

After eating an elaborately prepared lunch we returned to our safari vehicles for the drive to Pilanesberg National Park, a nearby wildlife reserve. The park is the fourth largest in South Africa and is roughly the size of Singapore (by contrast, Kruger National Park is the largest with a land area similar to that of Israel). We had excellent luck in our wildlife spotting, and we were treated to fantastic views of white rhinoceros, African elephants, zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, and lions. After over two hours of driving on dusty, bumpy roads in an open-air vehicle we welcomed our return to the bus, and we proceeded to drive back to Joburg for our dinner at the Carnivore restaurant. We were offered a wide range of delicacies from the African bush including kudu, impala, blesbok, and crocodile as well as more traditional meats such as beef and lamb. Following dinner we departed for the airport, at once excited to return home after an amazing journey and sad to be leaving the wonderful people, places, and things we experienced behind.

The delegates finally got to see giraffes, and lots of wildebeests!

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

Tags: EXPERIENCE, South Africa
Posted in EXPERIENCE, From Our Members, Student Travel Programs | No Comments »

EXPERIENCE: South Africa – Days 8, 9 & 10

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

We are catching up with the 29 EXPERIENCE delegates who have recently traveled from Cape Town to Johannesburg, South Africa, with a safari in between! View more photos on PTPI’s Facebook Page.

Day 8

“I am who I am because of who we all are.” As the campfire crackled, these were the words spoken as the group reminisced on the day’s events, and the entire week so far. Waking up later than normal this morning, the group was recharged and excited to visit the Cape of Good Hope. The Cape is the southwestern most point in South Africa (as well as Africa!). The group stood in awe awe as we absorbed the postcard view from the Cape of Good Hope. The steep hike was forgotten as a lighthouse towered over the rest of the mountain. Next, we adventured to Simonstown where we ate lunch. Some enjoyed seafood, while others dove into their exotic meals of crocodile or ostrich.

EXPERIENCE delegates at the Cape of Good Hope

Boulder’s Beach was the next stop on our itinerary. Penguins waddled as cameras flashed. We witnessed one of nature’s beauties. As the light receded, we took a scenic drive through some of Cape Town’s most memorable points. The bus stopped many times so that we could take pictures of the views. We shortly arrived at the guesthouse where our group bonfire would be held.

“I am who I am because of who we all are.” This is the philosophy of Ubuntu. We have learned during this trip that this certainly rings true in everyone’s lives. Nobody can say that they are who they are because of themselves. Personalities are traits which are taken in small pieces from everyone that a person comes in contact with. Due to all of whom the People to People International delegates and leaders have had the honor to meet and work alongside, all of our personalities have been altered, even if it is the slightest bit. We truly “are who we are because of who we all are.”

- David Nichols, PTPI delegate & Ethan Rosen, PTPI delegate & PTPI Student Chapter President

Day 9

All of the EXPERIENCE delegates in their yellow shirts

Today we left the beautiful city of Cape Town. Although we were sad to leave behind the gorgeous coast and rolling hills, we were all excited for the new adventures in Johannesburg, which we now refer to as Joburg— what it is commonly called here in South Africa. We had an early start to the day in order to make it down to the Green Market one last time before heading to the airport. After hard bargaining, most of us still left with scarce amounts of Rand. Besides making a scene in the airport with 32 yellow shirts, the flight from Cape Town to Joburg was uneventful.

Learning about African culture in Lesedi

Fresh off the plane, we drove straight to Lesedi, where we learned about African culture and its diversity by walking through each tribe’s “village.” We were taught the difference among each tribe and what makes them unique. The tour ended with a cultural dance show. It was amazing to see the diversity in cultures combine into one show. Our night in Lesedi ended with an African dinner. It was delicious! There were so many different choices: lamb, chicken, beef, crocodile, and ostrich. After dinner, we made our way back to the hotel; we needed rest for the next day’s adventures.

- Sara Dunlap & Jillian Burns

Day 10

We started off our day in Soweto, which is an abbreviation for South Western Township. First, we went to Freedom Square, which is where the “People’s Bill of Rights” document was finalized. It was hard to believe that at one time, not too long ago, these people did not have the same basic rights that we have in the states. Next, we went on a tour in a township within Soweto, called Kliptown. Our guide was a local man that started Kliptown Youth Program which helps kids stay in school. This organization provides educational support and positive after-school activities. He showed us inside his home and told us how HIV/AIDS has affected his community.Walking through his home opened our eyes to the major differences between living conditions in Soweto and the United States.

Touring Soweto

Then we went to two museums: Nelson Mandela’s former home and the Hector Pieterson Museum. It was interesting to see how a former South African president lived before he became a political leader. Hector Pieterson was a young boy that had died in the youth revolt of 1976. The museum showed us pictures of the very oppressing times that had faced the country and had stones representing those who died for freedom.

We had a delicious lunch at Ikageng Itireleng. Ikageng Itireleng is an incredible NGO which assists children affected by HIV/AIDS. The program puts them in a home, sends them to school, provides food, provides a wellbeing, and hope. The founder, Carol Dyantyi, was very inspirational. Her story touched each of our hearts. We were able to play with the younger children and talk to high school students our age about problems they are facing. It was moving to see that U.S. teens face similar problems like peer pressure, drugs, teen pregnancy, etc. Instantly we related with these teens that at first seemed so different, but then so alike. We made instant friends with the younger children by playing and interacting with them. Some of the kids recited poems and rap songs for a goodbye performance. The new relationships we had just made seemed so hard to leave behind. We will always remember this experience!

- Cassandra Cook & Kelsiann Halboom