My second week at AYA was even more informative than I could have ever hoped for, and I had a wonderful experience. It has been a thrilling and eye-opening experience with numerous moments that pushed me to think more critically about historical records and how we relay information in today’s world. The entire program has opened my eyes and mind with field trips, classroom discussions, and with hands-on podcasting instruction that all provided me with new eyes through which to see and think about the world around me.
The field trip to the Natural History Museum was the absolute highlight of the week and one of the most eye-opener experiences to date. Walking along the museum was like being in another world. The exhibit on dinosaurs particularly awed me since it displayed how huge and strong ancient animals used to inhabit the planet back in the early days. Getting up close to the fossils and life-sized skeletons made it all real. It was not just reading about it or looking at pictures—it was as if history unfolded before my very eyes. That allowed me to connect with the information on a personal level, too. The experience taught me that history is not so much about memorizing facts and dates, but about learning how life has evolved and developed over millions of years. It made me feel more connected to the past and understand how humans fit into that enormous timeline.
Another section of the museum that really stuck with me was the human evolution and ancient civilization section. Seeing how humans evolved over time gave me a real appreciation for how far we’ve come as a species. It also left me wondering more about what the future might be like. All of what I saw made me want to learn more about science and history, and I loved how the museum managed to take difficult concepts and make them fun and easy to understand.
Other than the field trip, being in AYA has also opened many doors for me. This week gave me a chance to learn more about podcasting and the news. I did not know anything about podcasting before, but now I know some of the basics—how people record, edit, and prepare what they are going to say. It’s been fascinating to learn how to compile something that, on the surface, seems so straightforward but takes an enormous amount of work behind the scenes. I learned how important tone, clarity, and planning are in delivering a good message.
We also discussed how news works—how information is reported, communicated, and fact-checked. I learned about the immense impact of media on what we know and believe and how truth-telling is important. It reminded me of the power of words and voice, if responsibly used. I’ve started being more analytical of the news I view and have started learning how to tell stories that inspire and inform others.
Overall, my second week at AYA has been a week of discovery, learning, and inspiration. I have learned so much and gained skills that I know will serve me well for a long time to come, and I am excited about what is still to come.
Communicating Change 