Malian YES Alumna Fatoou Traore spoke at Antalya International University's  first ever TEDx, a program that allows smaller local groups to organize events that draw in speakers from different areas of expertise to share their ideas. Upon hearing about this opportunity, Fatoou decided to submit an application, which included a topic proposal, talk outline, and interview. Afterwards, she was informed that she was selected, making her the youngest African to speak at a TEDx event as well as the only Malian to ever participate. She was also only one of six students selected to speak at TEDxAIU. 

After about two months of rehearsal, Fatoou finally took the stage. In her TEDx talk, she described her different experiences abroad, first to Singapore, then to the United States as a part of the YES Program. She discussed how she was able to learn a lot from her fellow classmates in the United States in addition to teaching them about Mali. Lastly, she emphasized the importance of using what people learn abroad to help improve their home countries. She urged the audience to use these experiences to change the world. 

When asked what she thought of the experience of speaking in front of the 100-person audience, Fatoou said, "I felt like I was really forwarding a key message to everybody, and it feels great to be the only one being listened to for a certain moment." 

To watch Fatoou's TEDxAIU talk, click on the video below!