YES Programs

MENU  

STORIES


Alumni Instructor Series: Zarin from Bangladesh

2  Representing Bangladesh My Home Country At My Schools Graduation Was An Honor

By Zarin Chowdhury (YES 2015-16, Bangladesh, hosted by AFS in Matteson, IL)

I was only 15 years old when I received notice of my acceptance to the YES program. I was so young, and, although it was only five years ago, it feels like ages ago. I was placed in a small suburb of Chicago, Illinois with a single host mom and a double placement sister from Brazil. From the first day of my exchange year, I was ready to make the most of it. I was always actively interacting with people, learning about other cultures while sharing my own story. 

5  My Host Mom And Double Placement Became An Integral Part Of My Life  We Spent A Lot Of Time Bonding Together
My host mom and double placement sister with whom I had an amazing bond!

My American-Brazilian host family made my transition into my exchange year very comfortable. They were beside me every step of the way, helping me understand the culture and informing me about opportunities to do community service, which I was very passionate about. During my year in Matteson, Illinois, I volunteered at the local Habitat for Humanity Resale Center, public library, church, and community center. I also played soccer for the first time!

Since my return to Bangladesh from my YES year, I interned with iEARN Bangladesh for one year, organized and coordinated more than 13 YES alumni projects, and volunteered during YES program recruitment and selection. While being an active alumna, I also started studying at Independent University Bangladesh, where I am currently in my sophomore year majoring in English Literature. 

1 I Have Wanted To Learn Photography Since I Was A Little Kid  I Fiannly Had The Opportunity To Learn Photgraphy At The Digital Story Telling Workshop 2018
The best part of the 2018 Digital Storytelling Workshop in Dhaka - learning photography!

In October 2018, I was selected to attend the Digital Storytelling Workshop hosted by iEARN in Dhaka, where I had the opportunity to learn about telling my story through videography and photography. I was also recently elected as an Executive Committee member of the YES alumni association in Bangladesh, and my goal is to encourage more alumni to organize alumni projects. 

From 2016-2019, I also assisted with Pre-Departure Orientations in Bangladesh and got see the “other side” of YES, giving me the chance to go beyond the experience of being an exchange student and see the changes within YES scholars before, during, and after their exchange year. A strong sense of responsibility to give back and my emotional attachment to the YES program inspired me to apply to be an Alumni Instructor for this year’s DC Arrival Orientations. 

7  Taking Interview For My Voice Matters Gysd 2017 Project
Doing an interview for a GYSD project

Being selected as an Alumni Instructor is an honor, and I am ecstatic to meet the newest group of YES scholars and play a role in preparing them for their exchange year. At the start of my exchange year, the DCO Alumni Instructors played an invaluable role in preparing me for the challenges ahead of me, and I hope to do the same for the incoming YES students.

To the new YES scholars: I am beyond happy to meet you all at this year’s DC Orientations. Until then, keep your luggage light and your passport close. This is going to be a journey of learning for us all! 


Share: