Hi friends! Do you want to meet new friends from different countries and discuss interesting topics that you like? In this article, I would like to share information about the YSEALI program, an international program for young people from Southeast Asia. In 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in the YSEALI 2019 Program with Young Educators.
What is YSEALI Program?
YSEALI (Youth Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative) is a youth program run by the United States government to develop the leadership skills of young people in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, and Timor-Leste.
There are various programs from YSEALI, such as YSEALI Professional Fellow, YSEALI Seeds for the Future Grants, and YSEALI Regional Workshops. These programs focus on four main themes: Civic Engagement, Sustainable Development, Education, and Economic Growth. These YSEALI programs are generally intended for those of you who are 18-35 years old.
For further information, please visit https://id.usembassy.gov/education-culture/yseali/.
YSEALI Regional Workshop 2019 Program
In August 2019, I had the opportunity to attend the YSEALI Regional Workshop with the theme Empowering Southeast Asian Educators. The event was really fun! Curious? Let's continue reading!
About the Program
The workshop gathered 100 participants aged 18ā35 from 11 Southeast Asian countries. The participants included teachers, lecturers, students, NGO representatives, education volunteers, and experts. The goal was to improve competency as educators, discuss education issues, and design projects that could help address these issues.
The Location and Event Form
The event was held in hybrid mode. The onsite mode onsite took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, precisely at the Pullman Hotel, where participants stayed. Participants used the hotel's meeting room to discuss and visit several interesting places in Kuala Lumpur. Before and after the workshop onsite, participants also discussed online via the Learning Management System (LMS), Facebook, and WhatsApp groups.
The Cost
You may think that joining a program like this requires a lot of money, from plane tickets, accommodation, food, and transportation for a week. But the good news is, everything covered by YSEALI! Participants do not need to pay for airfare, hotel, food, or transportation during the event. Even food is provided during the flight, and we also get pocket money during field trips. Transportation to and from the airport in Malaysia is provided by the committee. However, travel costs from home to the airport in the participant's home country are the responsibility of each individual.
Activities
During five days in Kuala Lumpur, we did various exciting activities:
- Welcoming Dinner: On the first night, a dinner was held together so that participants, mentors, and committee members could get to know each other.
- Workshops: Over the three-day workshops, we attended keynote sessions, large group discussions, interest-specific classes, and free time to work on projects or relax.
- Field Trips We visited Me.reka, a creative learning space in Kuala Lumpur, trying out technology like 3D pens and printers.
- Petrosains: An interactive STEM museum in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, suitable for children and adults.
- Surprise Visit: We were also invited to go up to the top floor of the Petronas Twin Towers, enjoy the city views and learn through dioramas and infographics.
- Pitch Competition On the fourth day, each group presented their project for five minutes. The winners received funding to develop their projects.
- Farewell Party: A festive farewell evening before returning to their respective countries.
My Team's Project
My team consists of four people from Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Brunei, guided by a mentor from Thailand. We raised the theme Diversity and Inclusion in Education which opened our eyes to the importance of accepting differences in the world of education.
Final Words
The 2019 YSEALI Program with Young Educators was an unforgettable experience. This program is a training and an opportunity to build an international network with other young educators, like a proper 'hangout' place to learn and share experiences from various countries.
In addition to improving my competence, I also expanded my network with educators and education observers throughout Southeast Asia. In addition to the theme of education, YSEALI also has other programs such as technology, environment, and government. So, if you are interested in learning and making friends with young people from various Southeast Asian countries, immediately check the YSEALI website and find out the opportunities available!
