Like most YES experiences, it starts with an email with a link for application. I remember being ecstatic about the opportunity to volunteer for the YES19 Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) and quickly filling in the google form questions which were meticulously designed to understand better a volunteer’s background in facilitating, personality, expectations and added skills they can provide to be able to maximize the students learning experiences during their orientation. From the many whom apply, 12 facilitators who are capable and compatible are strategically picked. These facilitators are chosen from a pool of alumni from previous YES batches who have been through their own unique journeys of studying abroad in America. The alumni take PDOs very seriously as it is the gateway to develop an open mind and heart among the 40 students who are about to embark on their own unique life changing exchange experiences. This is where we inculcate the responsibilities YES students have as ambassadors of Malaysia and the program. The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) program was established with the foundation that youth exchange is a key component to building bridges between citizens of the U.S. and countries around the world. The program is funded by the U.S Department of State and provides scholarships for high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to attend high school in the U.S while living with an American host family. PDO is where we as alumni can impart advice and guidance on how our Malaysian youth ambassadors can make the most out of their 6 months in the U.S. It’s also a valuable platform for alumni to develop our leadership and organization skills as well as learn from the students and our fellow peers.
Personally, these students have worked hard to get this scholarship, from attending rigorous state level interviews to national selection camp. I was one of their facilitators during national selection camp where around 100 plus students from all over Malaysia gathered for activities and interviews. I have seen their potential first hand and know of these students’ intelligence and hearts of gold. I wanted to see how much they have grown since the last time I saw them many months ago. So, I was over the moon when I received another email in December affirming that I would be one of the facilitators for the YES’ 19 PDO. It was also comforting to find out that I would be volunteering alongside my YES’ 16 batchmates, Shridha and Sanggeeta. Shridha being camp leader also made me more hyped for the orientation as she was camp leader for nationals and I absolutely loved how she organized and supported us in the past. It was also a blessing to have Ke Shin from YES’ 14 as our mentor to guide us throughout the planning and running of the orientation. We also had more experience coming in from Laili of YES 14 as our assistant camp leader. I’ve also already met Wana of YES’ 15 from national selection camp and loved working with her. There was also young blood to always keep us energized and provide refreshing ideas from Shelby of YES’ 17 and Shaun, Shirleen, Shaneen and Jia Yan from YES’ 18. It was a good team and we were ready to take on this challenge.
Firstly, all good facilitators know that painstaking behind the scenes preparation is key to a successful orientation. We started off by reading up on our ‘textbook’, the AFS Student Learning Journey, which has ideas of what topics the camp should cover and examples of activities we could carry out to put across our message. Then, we had 2 Skype meetings in a one-week interval leading up to the orientation. In the first meeting, we got to know each other, the volunteer code of conduct and went through our schedule for the orientation and objectives for each session. The schedule and main vision are worked on by the camp leader and assistant camp leader who also run all our meetings. They are really appreciated for the extra time and effort put into managing the whole flow of the camp. On the other hand, generally, our task as facilitators were to do lesson session outlines (LSO), basically lesson plans, for the sessions assigned to us. We worked in pairs in a way where the more experienced volunteers guided the junior ones. On our second online meeting, we explained our LSOs to each other and gave each other feedback on how to improve. Our mentors did an excellent job on commenting on our google docs to make sure we came up with clearer instructions and gave our activities deeper thought and care. LSOs have become an integral part of our orientations over the years as it’s a great way to plan so we can maximize our limited time with the students to give them the maximum impact of information as well as be able to run sessions even if a facilitator is sick or can’t make it or as reference and documentation for future facilitators to improve on. What I love about the whole process is how we are supported to be as creative and interactive as possible in the way we approach teaching. We also love coming up with fun energizers and games to teach underlying skills in a natural and fun way. As a student of education in university, I can say that being part of these camps when I was a student and now helping run them has inspired me to be a more engaging educator.
Finally, the weekend of the camp arrived. The camp was from Friday (11/1) to Monday (14/1) with the students leaving on their flights on Monday night. Many of us facilitators took busses or flights or public transport to get to the hotel venue the day before, which was on Thursday (10/1) night. I was impressed at the dedication of the facilitators for travelling far distances to get to the venue, many of them in the midst of university examinations. Some of us even helped out at the AFS office preparing materials for the orientation on Thursday afternoon. Throughout the night, we went through our revised LSOs and practiced our delivery and made some last touches. It was intense and we felt nervous but also excited for the next day. Friday morning came along, and we had another meeting preparing for our tasks during the parents briefing. In the afternoon, the 40 students piled in with their heavy luggage. It was a formal event where speeches by esteemed guests were given and parents were briefed on how the process of sending their children to the US was going to pane out. Then, parents bid farewell to their children, many planning to meet their children in the airport in a few days. After that, we all gathered in a smaller workshop type hall and played some ice breaking games and set ground rules. Then, students were given room cards and time to freshen up, pray and eat dinner. We adjourned at night to fill up forms and talk about safety rules to look out for when in the US. Then it was lights out.
The next day, we taught them concepts to understand different types of cultures better and got them ready for the adjustment cycle they were going to traverse. We also had a session where the students presented on current affairs, and feedback was given so that they can improve their presentation content and technique for when they speak and present about Malaysia in the US. On Sunday, we went a little more personal and discussed how to be the best version of themselves when being part of their host families and schools. Throughout the orientation, we also had older alumni coming in and sharing their experiences and wisdom with the students. Miss Nadia, the YES specialist overseeing the whole program also pitched in and gave sound advice. Overall, it was beautiful to see the YES19 batch become more comfortable with each other and more confident in voicing out their opinions as well as letting their personalities shine as the days passed. Both facilitators and students were friendly to each other and thus, the warmth of our bond could be felt by the last day. We wanted more time together. But alas, all good things come to an end. No need to dwindle on sadness though, because for the students, this was just their beginning. We gave them a briefing on how their airport run was going to go and headed to KLIA in a bus. As facilitators, we were just getting used to the heavy days, of tending to the needs of our 40 children, so it was sad to think that our role in their lives was done, at least until we crossed paths again. Every night, we facilitators stayed up for a meeting reflecting on how our sessions went on a particular day and we also go through our future sessions of the next day. So much detail is planned and we each also had tasks to carry out throughout the process of getting them on the flight, from guiding them when they were weighing and repacking their bags to checking in. Fortunately, all the late nights and planning paid off when their airport run went smoothly, and we cheered and clapped our hands as they went through customs and off to their gate.
Throughout the orientation, I was hit by waves of nostalgia, all my experiences in the US flooding back to the surface, I just wanted to jump in a suitcase and go along with them. Seeing these young students, all nervous and excited with untapped potential, reminded me of myself and my batchmates. There were many moments where I was holding back tears. It was overwhelming, but in a good way, like I got another chance to relive all my happy moments. I still can’t believe I’m a facilitator now, I used to look up to my facilitators and be inspired by them. I’m just grateful I can give these students what my facilitators gave me, strength and support. Being a facilitator is exhausting and consuming, but when you see a student’s face light up with confidence when they finally understand the knowledge that allows them to let go of fear and live their best lives, all your hard work is worth it. I don’t think we ever get over such life changing experiences such as going on an exchange when you are 18, but I realized that volunteering to make it possible for others is an act of healing and digesting all that you have learnt and gained from your time abroad. Every year you discover more about your time abroad and how it has impacted the way you think and act now. It is surreal and magical and sometimes I want to force all my form 4 and 5 juniors in secondary school to apply for an exchange. It really does make you grow, be independent, explore who you are as an individual and be a global citizen. As I look around and smile, laugh and hug my fellow volunteers’ goodbye, I am struck with the realization that my exchange didn’t just give me a family halfway across the ocean but also in my backyard. Smart, kind, passionate individuals I am proud to call my friends. I can’t imagine a world where we walk pass each other on a street as strangers. Personally, for me, the YES alumni are a huge reason readjustment is possible. For when you miss your host community, you remember that the YES alumni are family, waiting for you, with open arms.
Written by,
Geerthanaa Santhiran
YES’ 16
YES Alumni Malaysia 