“I wrote my first poem at 7 years old for a class project. Credits go to my father for printing ten copies of it in different colors, to my mother for sticking it on the fridge and showing it to all our relatives and to my first-grade English teacher for hanging it in a special spot in the classroom. Let's say, without their motivation and support we wouldn't be meeting on this very page to talk about my first published poetry collection: 'And'.”

Riwa Roukoz (YES 2015 - 2016, Lebanon, hosted by Ayusa in St. Charles, MO), is currently a high school senior living in Mount Lebanon, and just last year she was living in Missouri and where she attended St. Charles High School as a YES student.  She found a love for literature at school. She fell in love with the English language and developed into a bookworm. Riwa further discovered a greater passion for writing and for poetry. 

Growing up, Riwa wrote more than 40 poems which slept in her drawer. Her first big project was a humorous novella "Meant to Be", completed at the age of 13, that she published online on a teenage reading website. Riwa then completed her first poetry collection "Bleeding Soul" at the age of 15 and left it unpublished. “Today, I'm more than glad to be sharing with you my very first published work. I hope we get to meet through my writings and connect further through many more books to come” Riwa says.

Riwa adds, “My exchange year was the best opportunity I have ever had to make my biggest dream come true. Aside from the adventure itself being a dream, the YES program gave me the opportunity to be part of the culture that gave birth to many of the world’s greatest writers and poets in English language. Needless to say, I improved my language skills by living with native speakers.  

Photo: Riwa during her interview appearance on Tele Liban promoting her book of poems

"At my American high school, I got the unique opportunity to interact with professors in the writing field and take three advanced English classes including a writing one. I was in the perfect place to write and nurture my skills. I also had my poetry book edited and reviewed by writers and professionals in the domain. I named the file on my computer  'poetry America made with me' because there was no better way of reminding me that it was the experience, the people and the country that held the pen with me to write.” 

The year was soon over but Riwa had made plenty of friendships with talented people, including Rim Moussa (YES 2015 - 2016, Lebanon, hosted by PAX in Livonia, MI) who is an artist. Rim and Riwa became friends through the YES program and collaborated for the cover of Riwa's published book. 

Riwa states, “The YES program to me was an experience that not only changed my life, but which, I proudly say, made me the person I am today. It has definitely shaped me into the aspiring writer I have become. I am and will always be writing with many plans ahead and dreams to make happen.”