Alumna Finds Success with Newfound Self-confidence
This article was originally published by the Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute.
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Farah, Global Circles Alumna
Farah’s in-person exchange prompted her to explore other ways of connecting to global peers, leading her to participate in a virtual exchange program. As an alumna of Soliya’s Global Circles, she shared a virtual space with young people across the U.S. and MENA region in an environment that encourages open and honest communication and engagement.
After taking part in an Erasmus+ in-person exchange program and traveling to Estonia for a semester, Farah knew that she wanted to continue connecting with others around the world. She didn’t feel exposed to much diversity living in Jordan, and her time traveling abroad helped her realize the importance of continuing to search for opportunities to meet new people and learn from new experiences, compelling her to participate in virtual exchange.
Soliya’s Global Circles was the perfect way for Farah, a graduate student at Jordan University of Science and Technology, to continue making these connections. She says that her travels abroad gave her the opportunity to explore the physical locations of a new country, but she was interested in exploring people different from her, including their behavior, attitudes, culture, traditions, and habits. Global Circles allowed her to do just that.
“One day I was volunteering in the international relations office in my university, so connecting with international students, supporting them, helping them to adapt in Jordan when they come for studying. The coordinator told us one day that there is a virtual exchange program, but I was afraid to participate because I was a shy person and was afraid of someone to judge me.”
Before participating in this exchange, Farah lacked confidence in herself and wouldn’t participate in discussions even if she was knowledgeable in the area or topic being discussed. Her confidence grew as a result of participating in this program, and she is now able to engage in conversations with others, leaving no room for self-doubt or hesitation. Her fear of being judged or insulted was wiped away early into the program. “People were very kind, I didn’t face any problems like someone hurting [my feelings]… this made me feel like I want to keep participating because it gives me the confidence to talk in front of the camera as I was very shy before,” she said. With these new skills, Farah was able to present a pitch in front of an audience of about 300 people as part of a long-term project she was working on addressing food waste. This newfound confidence has broken down barriers, allowing her to step out of her comfort zone and into new opportunities for success.
"I was afraid also to talk freely, to express my opinion, because I don’t want someone to judge me bad or feeling that I am offended by someone or something so a virtual exchange program is a space for someone to express their opinion without judgment in a nice environment. I can talk everyone respecting me, accepting me, and if they are disagreeing with me, they are disagreeing with me in a kind way, without hurting someone or without letting you to feel that you are nothing or you are not existed in the world. So I feel that I improved many skills like I’m trying to apply those skills with my friends and my family like active listening and understanding, summarizing when someone tells me something that I’m not sure about if I understand that 100%, I’m trying to summarize in a way like a facilitator - how he or she facilitates and summarizes stuff after peers talking about something to make sure that everyone understanding and everything is smooth for everyone."
She was able to build meaningful long-lasting connections with her peers in other MENA countries and the U.S., using social media to keep in touch with one another. There is a real sense of community among the group as they regularly share opportunities for other virtual exchanges, facilitation trainings, and events that could be of interest to their peers. This type of bond that grew out of their virtual exchange sessions continued past the program end date. Farah and her peers are still in contact with one another, showing just how impactful virtual exchange programs can be for participants who are looking to build lifelong friendships with peers across the globe.
"Most of the time we add each other on Instagram, Facebook, and social media in general, so we are texting each other like if there is an upcoming session or, for example, an announcement for a facilitation or advanced training or something by Soliya or other than Soliya. So we make a group on Instagram, we are texting like every two weeks or every three weeks, talking about general stuff and if we can see each other in the upcoming sessions. So we trying to communicate but not all of us engaging frequently, like some of them are a little busy so they are texting late, some of them because of the time difference between, for example, Middle East, Europe, and United States, so we're trying to keep in touch, and also we are for example engaging by like commenting, liking, by something on social media."
Farah’s advice for future participants?
“You have to take a chance to try it! If you take it, you will gain more, but if you lose it, maybe the next opportunity will not knock at your door again. Virtual exchange is an open opportunity without borders with a great and respectful environment.”
Farah encourages other young people, like her, to step out of their comfort zone and sign up for a virtual exchange.
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