By Raisona Alam (YES 2018-2019, Bangladesh, placed by Ayusa in Longview, TX)

From October 29 through 31, 2022, Edward Kennedy, Jr. and his family visited Bangladesh to commemorate 50 years of friendship between the United States and Bangladesh. During their visit, the Kennedy family attended events, visited historical places, and met with dignitaries and special guests, including YES alumni.

I was fortunate to be one of the few alumni who had the opportunity to meet the Kennedy family on behalf of the YES Alumni Bangladesh Association. I had heard stories from other alumni who met with U.S. Senators at the conclusion of their programs to advocate for the YES Program, but I never had the opportunity. I never imagined meeting the Kennedy family, much less in my own country, so when the opportunity came, it was like a dream come true.

Along with fellow YES alumni, we were invited to accompany the family while they toured Dhaka. I first met the Kennedy family at Lalbag Fort in Old Dhaka, which they were visiting with officers from the U.S. Embassy. We then visited Emran’s Heritage Home, where we had a very traditional Old Dhaka lunch with the whole family. They got to try many new dishes from our country, which also sparked interesting conversations among the group. During the visit, I shared the impact that the YES Program has had on our lives and how we are creating small but meaningful changes in our communities.

The highlight of that day for me was having the opportunity to ride on a rickshaw with Ted Kennedy himself and being able to have a casual conversation with him about Bangladesh, transportation and traffic, and architecture. To meet the family of the former U.S. Senator who was responsible for creating the YES program, which gave me and students from all over the world a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent our cultures and become global citizens, was more than an honor. 

I am very grateful to the YES Program even after so many years of my own exchange year. The YES Program continues to have a huge influence on my life, giving me many great opportunities to always represent my country to different people all over the world.