Dec 02 / A Weekend Worth Remembering in the Big Apple

by Mr Ridwan Landasan, Philippines 05-06
hosted in Texas

No amount of words could ever define how grateful and exultant I was to be chosen as the youth alumni representative from the millennium batch of YES Philippines to attend the most fabulous and glamorous 60th Anniversary of AFS and be one of the 2007 International Youth Host committee. The said event actually took place in the magnificent city of New York Oct. 26-28, 2007, with the theme “60 Years of Excellence in International Exchanges.”

Indeed, it was such a great prestige and privilege on my part to be given another wonderful opportunity to go back to the US, my former host country, even just for a couple of days, after almost two years of exchange study. But this time, I went not as a foreign exchange student who was shy and timid to step up to the world, but as a young ambassador oozing with confidence and determination who was ready to represent the AFS-YES chapter of my country, the Philippines, on a whole new level.

There were actually six of us alumni and alumna of the YES Program from the different countries who were invited to participate in the AFS 60th Anniversary Weekend and the International Youth Host committee Meeting: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, India, Turkey, Malaysia, and from the Philippines. We also welcomed two additional participants from the US for the weekend. They were alumna of the 2007 Global Youth Leadership Program to Egypt, where they collaborated with the YES year-program from the MIddle East region.

Our first day started with a YES Alumni Meeting at the AFS-USA office where we built an atmosphere of teamwork as we interactively discussed about the importance of networking, developing a selection process and criteria for selecting alumni for future events, formation of an International Alumni Association, and other related things.

Afterwards, the overwhelming and entertaining welcome reception was the next kickoff. We were given the chance to meet and mingle with currently hosted participants, recent returnees, and AFS staff and volunteers. It also served as our moment of reconnection, socialization and sharing of stories. Then, we headed over to the Staten Island for a free boat ride passing the great Statue of Liberty. It also gave us the opportunity to see the best spots of lower Manhattan at night.

On the next day, we the members of the International Youth host Committee, went to Columbia University to help organize and set-up the venue for the World Peace Forum; a forum which featured honorable guests, keynote speakers and panelists to tackle themes pertinent and tantamount to peace promotion, international diplomacy, and the growing importance of intercultural exchange as a great instrument to advance a wider global understanding. It was just so fulfilling to see that we were actually part of one of the most remarkable peace forums of all time. It was indeed a great accomplishment on our part. Meeting some noted personalities in that event and interacting with people from the different corners of the world was one of the highlights of our experiences in the Big Apple

After the international program, my colleagues and I walked through the spectacular Central Park to get to the most phenomenal museum of NYC, Metropolitan Museum of Art, where we saw the one-of-a-kind masterpieces of the Greats: Picasso, Cezanne, Van Gogh, Monet, Da Vinci, and the like. It was so impressive. Three hours of touring around that great museum is not enough to really appreciate its historic beauty.

On our last day, a trip to the historic Ellis Island was our morning kickoff. When we were on board the ferry bound for the Island, we just couldn’t help but to keep on taking pictures of the Big Apple and Statue of liberty at different angles. We never stood still. We enjoyed every moment of our ride. Wow! It was so amazing!

Upon arrival to Ellis Island, we went inside the museum as a group and dispersed after a few moments because there were really a lot of things to see and explore. So our chaperon, an AFS facilitator, allowed us to roam around in any way we wanted. The atmosphere of the museum actually reminded me of my American History class back when I was an exchange student. I could really relate to what I was seeing.

And finally, after our fantastic trip to Ellis Island, we went back to the Roosevelt Hotel for the Closing Ceremony of AFS 60th Anniversary Weekend. All the members of 2007 IYHC were actually part of the closing program. We even presented a grand production number where we, at the last part of our presentation, sang the AFS theme song entitled “Walk Together, Talk Together.” We also gave a Thank You message to Mr. Alex Plinio, the out-going President of AFS-USA, for devoting his time and effort to prosper the AFS Intercultural programs.

Before the official commencement of the World Congress, which was attended by the elected officers of the different AFS partner countries, the program conducted its casual ” Meet and Mingle” activity for the 2007 IYHC and some other AFS guests. Each and every alumni was given the chance to talk about his/her experiences so far in the anniversary and what’s now going on in his/her country in relation to YES. It was fruitfully interactive.

On behalf of the 2007 IYHC participants and the AFS-YES Philippines, I would like to thank AFS and YES from the deepest chamber of my heart for making my stay in the Big Apple a very educational and recreational one. I am so overwhelmed. What more could I ask for?! If I will be given the chance and power to repeat one weekend in my life, that would be AFS 60th Anniversary Weekend. Believe me, that occasion has served as a way to dovetail our minds, reconcile our hearts, fortify our faith, and rekindle our hopes, dreams, aspirations, and optimisms.

YES, once again, I thank you. You, the people behind this generous program, are part of my success, and even of my life. Really, even if I conceal myself behind the Great Wall of China or inside the magnificent Pyramid of Egypt, still I cannot escape from this commotion surrounding me now. The noise will really never hush. It will always be there to irritate and penetrate my serene life. My only option to free myself from the imprisonment of this annoying confusion is to get out there and face this competitive and ever-changing society. And AFS/YES gives me the courage and confidence to do it. It molds me into a fully-equipped individual capable of coping with the challenges of today. YES has formed me into the person I am now.

VIVA YES! MABUHAY!

photo (l. to r.): Nirali Machhar, India and Ridwan