AMP Global Youth Educating, Cultivating, and Mobilizing Young People
The Global Scholar Advisory Board (GSAB) offers expertise on Global Scholar programming, outreach, and strategy. The board is made up of Global Scholar alumni, who have shown great leadership during their time with us as former Scholars and beyond.
2019 Advisory Board
Audrey Mah:
Hi! I’m Audrey from Saratoga, California. I’m on my high school’s varsity dance team and am involved with service activities in my community. I’m really interested in gender equality and transportation issues. I love listening to music, spending time with my dogs, and hanging out with friends.
I think the biggest problem facing youth today is a sense of despondency. So much is happening in the world today that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even frightened. It is up to us to channel that fear into a determination to better the world and stop the hatred.
My biggest takeaway from Global Scholar was realizing that every person (including teens!) has the power to bring about change, and learning the actual steps of how to do so. GS provides such an amazing opportunity for students and young people to mobilize and get firsthand experience in what it’s like to be the push for change and utilize our power effectively to see that change through.
Yena Lin:
I’m Yena, a senior in HS from northern New Jersey. Some of my hobbies include playing piano & clarinet, going on hikes with my dog, and listening to music — I honestly cannot go anywhere without my earbuds. I’m a huge enthusiast when it comes to the social sciences (sociology, psychology, political science, economics), so I was able to further these interests through international relations at AMP since it covers all these areas. In college, I hope to pursue sociology with a concentration in law & justice, and AMP made me realize that I would love to join an NGO one day.
I believe that the biggest global challenge youth face today is our battle with mental health. Many develop mental illnesses as a result of increasing societal pressure and standards, but the stigma makes the youth afraid to speak up and receive the help they need.
My biggest takeaway from Global Scholar was the describe-your-shoe activity. It made me realize how easy it is to see the world in terms of myself and my own experiences. But in reality, everything/everyone is part of larger systems, and it is important to be more conscious of them.
Through AMP, I have gained so much knowledge not from lectures in a typical classroom setting but from interactive discussions and in-person meetings with various officials. This hands-on experience allowed me to be fully immersed within the international and political atmosphere of D.C. I was also able to build professional relationships and many valuable friendships with peers.
Esha:
Esha is a 2019 Global Scholar alumna and current high school junior in the Boston area. She was born in New York and mostly raised in South Florida and India. Esha speaks English, Hindi, Spanish, some Bengali & French, and is in the process of learning more languages (one of her favorite things to do). Esha also enjoys playing tennis, exploring different foods, reading (auto)biographies & the news, competitive debate, thrift shopping, traveling to new places, biking, making vegan food, playing the piano, photography, and making Spotify playlists/going to concerts. At school, Esha is the president of the Speech & Debate team, editor in chief of the newspaper, and is involved with her local Amnesty International chapter. In college, she plans to study international relations and journalism while going abroad.
Rishika Rohatgi:
Hello! My name is Rishika Rohatgi and I am a sophomore at Parkland High School, PA. I love to sing, play basketball, and argue with people (my little brother is often the poor victim). I am super active in my school’s Model UN League and have had the pleasure of meeting two actual ambassadors from D.C, as well as the consulate general of India. STEM is another passion of mine, and I competed in the National Science Olympiad competition. I always aspire to try and learn new things every day and Global Scholar is certainly the place to do so.
The biggest challenge facing youth today is not believing in the power of a single individual to make a difference
My biggest takeaway from Global Scholar was to focus on who is missing from the conversation, not who is already in it. Issues and opinions are often swept under the rug, something that hinders our ability to make an impact unless we address them. Instead of always trying to ease the majority, focusing on a single individual who is most desperately in need of help will allow us to fix the other problems on the way.
Global Scholar not only gives us the tools to become young changemakers, but the mindset as well. The moment you can see the world from a different angle sparks a revolution within yourself. You can learn about issues anywhere. You can follow instructions anywhere. But to be able to create them is an entirely different story. As someone who has attended many other summer camps with the same ideas, I can truly attest to the fact that there is no other program like Global Scholars that helps you yourself to grow so that the world can too.
Sara Dolan:
Sara Dolan is a Global Scholar Alumni (2019) and is currently a junior in high school from Santa Rosa, California. She has noticed social media revolution is unfolding before our eyes. While scrolling through Instagram, we can see current protests, legislative decisions, and wars. The amount of awareness that teens have about global issues is astounding, and teens must be given the tools to effectively persuade adults to listen. News of a tragic school shooting or an inspiring climate strike is broadcasted on social media. Campaigns and protests are publicized, yet they fall to the ground. Many claim that teens are our future-but we are more than the future and have opinions that are critically important to discussions today. Now. When young people contribute their ideas and energy to addressing social issues, they begin to see themselves as change-minded leaders. Although political events are spread on social media, teens must overcome the issue of turning awareness into action. To help foster the idea that young adults have the creativity to initiate change, Sara co-founded a social action club at her school which seeks to educate and embolden students in high school to make their voices heard. Sara is also president of a community service youth group where she organizes service projects within her community. Additionally, she is a member of Youth and Government where she is active in collaborating with a group of peers to write a bill to ban toxic pesticides in and around school areas.
To Sara, Global Scholar has been a catalyst in her journey as a change-maker by presenting a rounded view of social issues and offering the tools needed to effectively persuade, communicate, and comprehend the extent of the issues the world is facing. In addition, being in NGOs, embassies, think-tanks, and more shows global scholars how diverse the field of international relations is and gives them first-hand insight into the challenges and triumphs of professionals in their field. Through meaningful discussions, global scholar helps students to comprehend what it means to be a global citizen and gives them the resources to make a lasting impact in the world.
Julia Lasiota:
My name is Julia and I come from Poland, though at the moment I study in the United Kingdom. I am 18 years old which is certainly not reflecting the number of ideas I have in my head: I am always willing to try something new. I am interested in diplomacy and foreign affairs, especially those relating to the global political issues within science and new technologies. I am keen on participating in the Model United Nations conferences and hope to one day take my hobby on a serious level. Aside from that, I enjoy reading books, learning foreign languages, and travelling.
The biggest challenge the youth is facing today is being exposed to fake news and abundance of information makes young people unable to make decisions or understand the complexity of some issues.
My biggest takeaway from GS was if you want to achieve a positive change in your community, you have to remain devoted to your idea, no matter how many obstacles you will face on your way.
I’d recommend GS for youth-change making because of the people. You will meet wonderful people at GS who will open up your eyes to new perspectives and show you points of view you might have never considered before. Also, you can meet with people who already work in international organisations and are devoted to making change in the world, so there is a lot of first-hand experience available here at GS.
Pabalaentle:
I am a political and gender activist and a youth mentor in my community for young girls and boys from the ages of 12 and above.
The biggest challenge that the youth is facing today is gender-based violence. I say this because it does not happen to girls only, but to boys as well.
The biggest take away from Global Scholar for me was the Diversity and Inclusion Action Lab, where I actually learned for the first time to be transparent and allow myself to be me without being someone else.
I would recommend GS for change-making because one is able to learn from her peers and is able to grasp different things from both my peers and the speakers.
Cynthia Chockalingam:
I’m Cynthia Chockalingam and I am from the Chicago Metropolitan Area. I am a junior in high school and I hope to one day be involved in international affairs. I am primarily interested in this area because as the first person born in America from my family, which is from India, I have been able to experience my culture through Indian classical dance, bharathanatyam, and speaking another language, Tamil, at home. However, I often travel there as well, so seeing the differences in life all around the world, but still coming down to a couple of key issues everywhere has inspired me to join the change-making community.
The biggest challenge the youth is facing today is how to use our voice. Often times, we can lament of how awful the school is in handling certain issues, such as unhealthy school start times, ranging to global issues, like the effects of climate change we have seen and will see in our lives. However, many lack the motivation to make a change following this or do not know how. Contrastingly, we seem to not notice that sometimes, our voices are heard. One key time is when we use our voices to tear down others around us, whether it just be in a passing moment or joke.
My biggest takeaway from Global Scholar was to always be cognizant of those around me. What may seem like a joke in one person’s mind can hurt another. Further, if I notice someone being hurt near me, it is my job to stand up, otherwise I am being complacent and not recognizing the respect we all deserve.
I would recommend this program for change-making because it opens you up to a whole new community of students who are just as driven as you and also want to see the world in a better place. It helps you build a network of great people who will be there on the opposite side of the world supporting you in each step you take because you all realize we are all working for the same goal.
Fay Gibb:
Fay Gibb is living in Houston, Texas, but has previously lived internationally in Paris. As a 2020 graduating senior, she runs varsity cross country and track and is an officer in the World Affairs Club, a co-president in the Environmental Awareness Society, and the Advertising and Marketing Editor for the school yearbook. Fay plans to major in international relations while she attends university, and volunteer for the PeaceCorps after she graduates.
My biggest takeaway from the Global Scholar Program was to think of how an issue initially started, and work to solve it from there. There is never a singular, set and stone answer to something. There will be sacrifice going into making a big change, but you have to decide if it is worth it.
I’d recommend the AMP Global Youth Program because this program will teach you so many lessons and provide for you many opportunities. For me, this program made me realize how everything in this world is connected, and I was able to meet countless important figures in the international relations field. Everyone you will meet is passionate about the same issues you are, and to be able to work together and discuss world issues with like-minded students is incredible.
Meghna Pamula:
Meghna Pamula is a high school junior living in California, and a 2019 Global Scholar. She has a passion for art and writing. She enjoys reading, spending time in nature, playing tennis, traveling, learning new languages, and volunteering. Meghna finds deep fulfillment in volunteering through the Bay Area nonprofit organization, Kids & Art Foundation. She has been volunteering with them for over five years and loves the way it allows her to help others through art. Her interests lie in policy, law, and international relations. She enjoys combining these interests with her interests in art and writing.
I believe that an issue unique to the youth of today is the rise of technology and the internet and their negative impacts. This issue is often overlooked or seen as unimportant, but it could have significant consequences in the future and is already negatively impacting the youth’s behavior, self-esteem, mental health, and other aspects of their lives.
I learned from Global Scholar that in looking at global issues it is important to gain a holistic perspective, which cannot be acquired instantly. Rather, we must make efforts to understand each other, ourselves, and those who live far from us.
I would recommend this program because of the real-world experiences that we were able to have. For instance, we were able to meet with leaders of renowned institutions and global leaders such as the Ambassador of Niger to the United States, which was particularly impactful to me.
Siyona Nayampally:
My name is Siyona Nayampally and I am a freshman in Austin, Texas. I am on the swim team, train for triathlons, play the violin, sing and act. At school, I am in the UNICEF club and Model UN.
I think one of the biggest issues our youth faces today is gun violence. We are always at risk of a school shooting or a random mass shooting in a public place. This is not something children or anyone for that matter should have to think about and something must be done about it immediately.
One of the biggest takeaways I had from Global Scholar is that one action can affect so much and everything is more interconnected than you think.
I would recommend Global Scholar because it is so fun and you learn so much. The way they construct the sessions makes it more fun because it is more interactive than in a lecture or a class. The living in a dorm brings you so much closer to your peers and you get to meet so many cool and influential people, it really is an amazing experience.
Jennifer:
Habari! I’m Jennifer from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. I’m currently in 12th Grade at an international school in Tanzania. I’m a member of my school’s Mentorship Team, Student Council and the TED-Ed Club’s leader. When I’m not flooded with school work, I enjoy spending my time catching up with my favourite series, completing as many Buzzfeed quizzes as humanly possible and expanding my general knowledge with random Wikipedia pages. I’m interested in pursuing marine biology because I want to seek justice for our oceans (kinda like Sea Shepard), as well as put my science classes into use.
I believe the biggest challenge that the youth currently face is earning the respect that we deserve from adults. We are constantly judged by our age first and never our knowledge, so the world needs to step up and overcome it.
My biggest takeaway from Global Scholar was the amount of exposure I got from the cultures around me. I’m from a place that doesn’t have abundant cultures, so I was like a sponge absorbing all sorts of knowledge on different cultures and upbringings in order to broaden my perspectives, become more open-minded and a better global citizen.
I would recommend Global Scholar to someone because the program was an ignition for me to speak my mind and what I believe is true. If someone thinks something is wrong and deserves mending, Global Scholar provides the matchstick to your candle and lights it up, in order for you to battle for what is right.
2018 Advisory Board
Tani Washington:
Tani Washington is an alumna of AMP Global Scholar 2018. She is currently a high school junior in Richmond, Virginia. She is heavily involved in speech and debate- an avenue she used to speak up for the issues that matter to me the most. Along with public policy, she is interested in going to college to study international human rights law. Tani speaks both English and French, and continues to learn other languages such as Spanish, Arabic, and Swahili. She has an immense passion for exploring different cultures, which is why she plans on taking a gap year after high school. She believe that nothing is more important than serving other people, and that is exactly what she hopes to do at AMP!
Shaine Spillman:
Hi I’m Shaine! I’m from Los Angeles, California and I’m in 12th grade. I’m interested in Political science and Women’s Studies and have been running a Women’s Rights Club at my school for almost 4 years now. I am a triplet with two sisters, and I’m obsessed with iced chai lattes.
Makenna Turner:
Makenna is prospective Mechanical Engineering student from Boulder, Colorado who loves to bring both her passion for STEM and community engagement together. She is the proprietor of a charitable company which aims to provide children in undeserved communities with equitable access to opportunity.
Radhika Mehta:
Priya Aravindhan:
Priya Aravindhan is a student in Philadelphia, PA. She plans to study international relations with particular focuses on global security and law and ethics in college. She is the founder and president of a non-profit, Tennis to a Future, which teaches tennis to underprivileged and special needs kids. She is also involved in local political campaigns, Model UN, and the Ethics Bowl. In her free time, Priya enjoys discussing and learning about current events, playing tennis competitively, painting, traveling, and volunteering in the poor areas of Philadelphia.
Morgan Adam:My life took a 180 degrees in like 2 weeks when I decided to come to the US. I come from a tiny island, that most people never heard of, Mauritius. Coming to Washington DC and having the African, European and Indian background from my family has been so far very interesting to share my experience with my American friends. It is also very important to understand that being mixed can be very tough, specially when the High School you go to is mainly populated by Blacks, Whites and Hispanics. It is very easy, as a multiracial kid, to be involuntarily excluded from such groups. Consequently, my interests to advocate for people that really can’t find a specific group to categorize themselves in, is crucial for me. I want people to focus more on beings more inclusive to mixed people and stop stereotypes towards them. I also want to go back to Mauritius one day and help introduce the importance of extracurricular activities and it’s funding at school. I think it is very important to introduce more activities for more people to have an opportunity to centralize their different interests. I’ve amazed lots of people with my diversity and my fluency in French and English. My plan is to achieve this goal is to use my Global Scholar platform to make my voice heard. My Interests at school is the MUN, as all students who are interested in International Relations but I plan to major in Law as well. I also volunteer with my teachers, I am also in the Drumline and experience diversed clubs such as Comunidad de sueños, Human rights club and Butterfly club, where we teach kids some French.
Shaun Kwan:
Kariann Tan:
Hello! I am Kariann. I was a part of the Global Scholars program back in July 2018 and through this memorable period, I was able to reinforce my passion for leadership and international relations as well as meeting other cohorts who were just as passionate as me. In my free time, I run a digital/print magazine as an editor-in-chief and also volunteer for a non-profit organization in DC. I am very excited to be a part of the team!
Gomolemo More: Gomolemo More (Bogopane) was born in Phokeng (The Royal Bafokeng Nation) in the North west (South Africa). This Rustenburg-born young leader is the epitome of black excellent. He is a global leader and international speaker who is passionate about International Relations and is interested in how South African-African and its society position themselves in the global market. Apart from attending conferences and giving talks both locally and internationally, Gomolemo is an entrepreneur and media personality. He offers motivational talks, life couching and sculpting young leaders. His talks are centered around what young people are more likely in need to hear and listen to, that which will really assist young people to succeed in their academics and also succeed in business improve their relationships, develop a positive attitude, achieve financial prosperity and live a productive life, in other words holistic development.
Bodhi Ling Patel:
Molly is a senior at Hammond High School in Columbia, Maryland. She is interested in international affairs and the Middle East North Africa region. Currently, she is conducting an independent research project comparing the Islamist movements of Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. In college next year, she hopes to study government and politics and Arabic. In her free time, Molly enjoys playing soccer, playing viola in her school’s orchestra, and listening to showtunes and bluegrass music.
Chelsea Padilla is currently a junior in high school from Michigan. In the future, she’s hoping to study either International Relations or Political Science. Aside from joining in virtual board meetings for the Global Advisory Board, Chelsea volunteers as a tutor at multiple learning centers and acts as the Vice-President of her school’s Model UN club.
Gabi is 18 and located in Dublin, Ireland. She’s currently one of Ireland’s representatives on the Youth Platform of the European Talent Support Network and in her final year of secondary/high school. Gabi has a keen interest in political activism, local campaigns, and broader world affairs. She thinks one of the greatest challenges is currently climate change alongside global inequality, and that we all have a place in the fight to better the world and a responsibility to answer that call. She is an early-university entrance graduate in Law and Politics in Dublin City University (run with the Centre for Talented Youth), a poetry enthusiast, a performer and a big fan of ABBA.
Gabby Reynolds is from upstate New York. She enjoys reading, writing, and watching movies and is interested in languages, international politics, and political activism.
Erin lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is currently a junior in high school and she loves travelling and experiencing different cultures. In my free time I enjoy reading, listening to podcasts, and spending time with my horse. I’m passionate about social justice, the environment, politics, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Isabel was born in Quito, Ecuador and has lived there her whole life – but her family is Colombian and so she considers herself both Ecuadorian and Colombian. She speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese and is learning American Sign Language. She is interested in human rights, language and culture, and international relations. Isabel greatly enjoys spending her free time learning languages, playing sports and reading.
Jeffrey Trux is a junior from Batavia Illinois. He is a member of his school’s chapters of Amnesty International and Youth and Government. He looks forward to studying international relations and other fields alongside that. Beyond his studies and academics, he enjoys reading, writing, listening to and playing music, and discussing current events.