For our "Go Night" (Global Opportunities Night) project this year, we were given the opportunity to explore a selection of countries. My partner and I chose Ireland, drawn to its rich culture, history, and traditions. Through our research and presentation, we gained a deeper appreciation for Ireland’s global connections and unique identity.
For my Genius Project in English, we chose topics we felt needed attention and change. I focused on animals in shelters and decided to take action by fostering a dog. This experience came with many challenges, such as adjusting to the dog’s needs, managing my time, and dealing with the emotional responsibility of caring for a vulnerable animal. Despite these obstacles, it was incredibly rewarding and taught me the value of empathy, patience, and taking initiative to support a cause I care about.
For this assignment, I carefully reviewed the simulation materials and reflected on the decisions made by the League of Nations. I focused on analyzing key moments where the League failed to take action and how those choices affected world events. I also considered the historical context, like the impact of the Great Depression on the League’s ability to enforce its rules. To improve my writing, I worked on organizing my thoughts clearly and supporting my opinions with specific examples from the simulation. Overall, this helped me better understand the challenges the League faced and how those challenges influenced the course of history.
For my French class presentation on the culture of France, I researched Marie Antoinette. I wanted to show what makes French culture unique and interesting. I gathered information from books and reliable websites, and I included pictures to help make my presentation more engaging. I also practiced speaking in French to improve my pronunciation and confidence. Creating this presentation helped me learn more about France and gave me a chance to share that knowledge with my classmates.
For my Summit Night project, I studied endangered animals and current events in the United Arab Emirates. I researched different species that are at risk in the region and learned about the efforts being made to protect them. At the same time, I looked into recent news and developments in the UAE to understand how the country is balancing growth with environmental conservation. Putting this project together helped me connect important global issues with real-world examples and improved my ability to gather and present information clearly.
This year, we took a trip to Heifer Global Village in Maryland. The trip lasted three days, and during that time, we experienced different ways of living to better understand global challenges. On the first night, we slept outside in cabins. The second day was the most intense because we lived as if we were in a third-world country. I was assigned, along with a small group, the role of a refugee. Being a refugee meant we were given absolutely nothing and had to find our own food and shelter. Most of our group eventually split up, but we all managed to find dinner by the end of the day.
Overall, this trip was very eye-opening. Living even one night as a refugee helped me understand the hardships millions face every day. While it was difficult and uncomfortable, the experience taught me important lessons about empathy, resilience, and the need to support refugees worldwide. It also made me reflect deeply on world hunger and how fortunate I am to live with security and comfort. This trip gave me a new appreciation for the challenges others endure and inspired me to think more about how I can help.