We all want to make a difference in the world.
The phone calls, emails and sleepless nights during placement season. The paperwork and pizza parties. The shuffling kids through the airport. The sad goodbye’s year after year.
The reason we choose our crazy hours and lifestyle surrounded by teens, is that each of us wants to change the world. As we watch our alumni show up in Facebook pictures doing a project or hear from them as they start university, we get to see a small glimpse of the young adults they become and we hope that our work is making a difference.
Our time in Georgia was special because we saw proof… We are making a difference! My Georgia/Colorado alumni boys who were able to be with us don’t appear to be the superstars of the alumni world. They don’t show up in too many community service pictures or have big write-ups in the Bradley Herald. From this side of the world, they seem to be doing “fine”. Being able to see them in person, was an amazing chance to see the alumni stories that go untold! As it turns out, they are superstars! Walking with them in their own country, having conversations about their studies and futures, the difference is obvious. They stand out. I don’t know if it’s the way they carry themselves, or the confidence in their walk, or listening to them talk about why they each chose a less traditional field of study… they are making their own paths. They are the leaders of their own lives. It’s easy to see that their time in America had an enormous impact on who they are today and who they are still becoming. It’s easy to see that it’s worth it!
I was able to spend 2 days with Giorgi (Gio) Gasashhvili (2012-13) as he showed us the city. Over lunch, he told about his decision to study science. As he talked, he analyzed the world through scientific eyes and mathematical possibilities and spoke in academic, intellectual terms. I couldn’t help but picture that hyper-active, eager young boy with the fiery potential who couldn't sit still during our group meetings and who focused on fun more than academics. He’s still a bundle of energy and a little mischievous, but he’s now focusing that mischief on exploring the world around him. It was good to listen to him as a young adult: more mature; focused on academics; still seeing the possibilities of this world, but now on a path to use his talents to do something great. His host family loved him with patience, always pointing him toward good decisions, helping him see the consequences of his actions, guiding him as parents would guide their own child. It was amazing to hear him quote his host dad throughout our trip and talk about “Mom” and the lessons she taught him. I could see the difference they made in this young man’s life and character and value system that they so patiently helped shape.
I also had the privilege of seeing Irakli Kalichava (2013-14). He is in his last year of secondary school, 5 hours from Tblisi, and I was honored that he made the trip to see us. He was a calm presence in our cluster during his stay in Colorado. He was gentle and kind to other students and would never cause a problem or be any trouble, and he stayed in the background, never needing a spotlight. As Irakli is studying for exams and planning his future, he spoke with excitement about his hopes to attend the School of Governance and Social Sciences. His description of the program is similar to a liberal arts education where students study in multiple fields. It is a new and innovative program and only 50 Georgians each year earn the opportunity to pursue this degree plan. It was encouraging to see him working toward a big dream and hearing him speak of the confidence he gained in America that is helping him achieve his plans.
The third Georgia/Colorado student was not in our traditional FLEX program. Giga Chirgadzi came with a special summer program, called YCO, in 2011. He is actually studying in the exact program that Irakli is trying to gain acceptance, so it was nice to introduce them and help make connections for the future. Because Giga was only in the country four weeks, I wondered if he would have the same passion for the program. In some ways he seemed even more impacted. He spoke about his university and is very committed and proud to be a part of this non-traditional educational path. He spoke of how America changed him from a boy who did not feel confident in himself to a person who isn't afraid to try anything! We reminisced about a hiking trip from that summer. The students went high in the mountains for primitive camping, living only on what they could carry on their backs. Giga was the champion of that trip, leading the others and wanting to press forward, go higher and see more. He knows that opportunity taught him about himself and said that all his experiences in America encouraged him to want to try new things and pursue every interest. He still likes to hike and camp and wants to find time to do more of it. More importantly, his confidence is strong. He not only seeks out interesting adventures, he encourages his friends to join things they wouldn't normally try. Talking with Giga about his transformation showed the possibilities of what can happen in a very short time.
As a coordinator who loves the programming part of our mission, I tend to be results oriented. It’s exciting to see alumni leading a project. Sometimes it’s something big and exciting and I think, “We did it! We changed the world!” After our visit with our boys in Georgia, I came home thinking differently. Each alumni we met told a story of their life being completely changed by their FLEX experience. It made our mission very real! For those both in and out of the alumni spotlight, every life is changed. Every experience we provide, every word of encouragement we speak, every lesson, every connection made between students and host families and friends and schools and coordinators makes a difference. It’s true that we are changing the world, but even more importantly...
The phone calls, emails and sleepless nights during placement season. The paperwork and pizza parties. The shuffling kids through the airport. The sad goodbye’s year after year.
The reason we choose our crazy hours and lifestyle surrounded by teens, is that each of us wants to change the world. As we watch our alumni show up in Facebook pictures doing a project or hear from them as they start university, we get to see a small glimpse of the young adults they become and we hope that our work is making a difference.
Our time in Georgia was special because we saw proof… We are making a difference! My Georgia/Colorado alumni boys who were able to be with us don’t appear to be the superstars of the alumni world. They don’t show up in too many community service pictures or have big write-ups in the Bradley Herald. From this side of the world, they seem to be doing “fine”. Being able to see them in person, was an amazing chance to see the alumni stories that go untold! As it turns out, they are superstars! Walking with them in their own country, having conversations about their studies and futures, the difference is obvious. They stand out. I don’t know if it’s the way they carry themselves, or the confidence in their walk, or listening to them talk about why they each chose a less traditional field of study… they are making their own paths. They are the leaders of their own lives. It’s easy to see that their time in America had an enormous impact on who they are today and who they are still becoming. It’s easy to see that it’s worth it!
I was able to spend 2 days with Giorgi (Gio) Gasashhvili (2012-13) as he showed us the city. Over lunch, he told about his decision to study science. As he talked, he analyzed the world through scientific eyes and mathematical possibilities and spoke in academic, intellectual terms. I couldn’t help but picture that hyper-active, eager young boy with the fiery potential who couldn't sit still during our group meetings and who focused on fun more than academics. He’s still a bundle of energy and a little mischievous, but he’s now focusing that mischief on exploring the world around him. It was good to listen to him as a young adult: more mature; focused on academics; still seeing the possibilities of this world, but now on a path to use his talents to do something great. His host family loved him with patience, always pointing him toward good decisions, helping him see the consequences of his actions, guiding him as parents would guide their own child. It was amazing to hear him quote his host dad throughout our trip and talk about “Mom” and the lessons she taught him. I could see the difference they made in this young man’s life and character and value system that they so patiently helped shape.
I also had the privilege of seeing Irakli Kalichava (2013-14). He is in his last year of secondary school, 5 hours from Tblisi, and I was honored that he made the trip to see us. He was a calm presence in our cluster during his stay in Colorado. He was gentle and kind to other students and would never cause a problem or be any trouble, and he stayed in the background, never needing a spotlight. As Irakli is studying for exams and planning his future, he spoke with excitement about his hopes to attend the School of Governance and Social Sciences. His description of the program is similar to a liberal arts education where students study in multiple fields. It is a new and innovative program and only 50 Georgians each year earn the opportunity to pursue this degree plan. It was encouraging to see him working toward a big dream and hearing him speak of the confidence he gained in America that is helping him achieve his plans.
The third Georgia/Colorado student was not in our traditional FLEX program. Giga Chirgadzi came with a special summer program, called YCO, in 2011. He is actually studying in the exact program that Irakli is trying to gain acceptance, so it was nice to introduce them and help make connections for the future. Because Giga was only in the country four weeks, I wondered if he would have the same passion for the program. In some ways he seemed even more impacted. He spoke about his university and is very committed and proud to be a part of this non-traditional educational path. He spoke of how America changed him from a boy who did not feel confident in himself to a person who isn't afraid to try anything! We reminisced about a hiking trip from that summer. The students went high in the mountains for primitive camping, living only on what they could carry on their backs. Giga was the champion of that trip, leading the others and wanting to press forward, go higher and see more. He knows that opportunity taught him about himself and said that all his experiences in America encouraged him to want to try new things and pursue every interest. He still likes to hike and camp and wants to find time to do more of it. More importantly, his confidence is strong. He not only seeks out interesting adventures, he encourages his friends to join things they wouldn't normally try. Talking with Giga about his transformation showed the possibilities of what can happen in a very short time.
As a coordinator who loves the programming part of our mission, I tend to be results oriented. It’s exciting to see alumni leading a project. Sometimes it’s something big and exciting and I think, “We did it! We changed the world!” After our visit with our boys in Georgia, I came home thinking differently. Each alumni we met told a story of their life being completely changed by their FLEX experience. It made our mission very real! For those both in and out of the alumni spotlight, every life is changed. Every experience we provide, every word of encouragement we speak, every lesson, every connection made between students and host families and friends and schools and coordinators makes a difference. It’s true that we are changing the world, but even more importantly...
We are changing lives!
Written by Holly Nichols; Local Coordinator, Colorado.