By Fawz Elbeshti (YES 2019-2020, Libya, placed by AFS in Glenwood, GA) and Naura Arifa (YES 2020-2021, Indonesia, placed by PAX in Manteca, CA)

We are Fawz and Naura, YES alumnae from Libya and Indonesia. Though we come from different exchange years and backgrounds, we both ended up at Ankara University in Türkiye and met during the 2023 Global Village on the Move program in Istanbul. Inspired by our shared experiences and all that we learned from the facilitators from the Iacocca Institute, we applied for a follow-on grant to launch the Building Bridges project to connect international students with locals and foster deeper cultural understanding.

Our three-day workshop included interactive sessions during which 20 participants (10 Turkish and 10 international students) explored the themes of xenophobia, multiculturalism, cultural bias, and diversity. We introduced tools like the DIVE model, which stands for describe, interpret, verify, evaluate, and we invited a guest speaker from Libya to share firsthand experiences of xenophobia. A highlight of the project was a brainstorming session where participants developed activities to raise awareness about xenophobia in their own schools and communities. We concluded each day with a “Travel to My Country” session, where participants shared short presentations about their home countries or home cities in Türkiye. The workshop aimed to foster mutual understanding and create a welcoming space for foreigners.

One of the participants noted that their perspective had shifted, and they now became curious when they saw a person who did not appear to be from Türkiye instead of making assumptions. Another participant shared, "I felt free to share my feelings and emotions. I'm sorry that the program was only three days; I will really miss it." Many participants expressed a strong desire to engage in similar programs in the future.

Before implementing this project, we surveyed 86 individuals, and the survey revealed that about 50% had experienced various forms of xenophobia, including verbal harassment and social exclusion. Our workshop aimed to change this mindset, and the results were promising. Participants reported an 80% increase in their ability to interact with people from different cultural backgrounds.

To ensure long-term impact, we set up social media groups for participants to continue sharing best practices and collaborating on initiatives to combat xenophobia. We hope that as they apply what they have learned, a ripple effect will occur, reducing incidents of xenophobia in their communities. Inspired by the project's success, we plan to host future workshops, targeting students, educators, and community leaders to further spread its impact.

This project was a learning experience that reinforced the power of community engagement. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the YES program for this opportunity. Special thanks to our local government, Cankaya Genclik Merkezi, and our volunteers who made the Building Bridges project possible.