Werth '21 Reflects on Global Scholars Summer Experience

"This past summer I had the opportunity to attend Yale's Young Global Scholars program virtually through Zoom. Ordinarily the program takes place over two weeks at Yale's campus in New Haven, Conn., but unfortunately it had to be moved to a virtual setting as a result of the pandemic.

The YYGS Connect program has a number of different subject specific sessions to apply for; I personally participated in the Literature, Philosophy, and Culture session. The program involved choosing from a list of fascinating classes taught by Yale undergraduates, listening to lectures given by Yale professors, spending time with an assigned 'family group' made up of around 10 students and a Yale undergraduate to lead us, and working together in assigned groups on a capstone project that was presented at the end of the session. YYGS accepts students from all over the world—I was able to meet and make connections with students my age from Ireland, South Africa, Somaliland, Ghana, Tunisia, China, Wales, and many other countries!

Having the opportunity to listen to the different perspectives of peers from a wide variety of backgrounds was incredibly eye opening and enriching for me. The classes were intense but rewarding, and I learned about topics such as Japanese cinema, Medieval Arabic literature, and the relationship between neoliberalism and LGBTQ+ activism. It was undoubtedly the highlight of my summer, and a life-changing experience I will hold with me for the rest of my life."