My time for the past three weeks at the AYA program has been nothing but phenomenal. I entered this experience not entirely sure what to expect. I had never worked with a program like this, and I had a little bit of excitement, curiosity, and nervousness all rolled into one. But now, as the program comes to a close, I can confidently say that I’ve learned more than I ever could have imagined—on a personal and professional level. Along the way, I was introduced to the world of journalism and communication and was given the opportunity to explore new passions and skills that I will carry past this summer.
One of the best things that I’ve learned from AYA is the understanding of how a story is actually newsworthy. Before this experience, I had never really thought about how or why certain stories make the news. I had just always been taking in the media without ever thinking about the process. But from hands-on workshops, interactive group sessions, and real case studies, I learned how journalists choose the news that matters—news that informs, gives voice to marginalized communities, and sparks debate. I learned to read the news critically, to ask better questions, and to approach a story from all angles. That mind adjustment changed the way I consumed the news and enabled me to appreciate more the power of narrative.
One of my greatest highlights was learning about the world of podcasting. I enjoy listening to podcasts, but I had no idea that so much creativity, preparation, and effort goes into creating an episode. At AYA, I was also fortunate enough to be part of a podcast team where we developed, wrote, recorded, edited, and promoted our episode from beginning to end. I learned how to use recording machines, how to edit portions of audio clips to make them smoother and clearer, and how to narrate in order to express ideas effectively. It was great hearing our end product and knowing we had worked together to produce something meaningful. I was encouraged to foster a new interest in audio storytelling that I’m keen to pursue in the future.
In addition to the technical skills that I have established, I also became more confident and communicative. Throughout this course of study, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone—whether it was making a contribution during classroom discussions, interviewing new people, or communicating with others. I was nervous sometimes, but I encouraged myself to be brave and trust in my voice. I learned how to converse better and how to listen to individuals with a mind that is open to hearing them out. All the soft skills are worth as much as the technical skills, and I am certain that they will be beneficial for me in any profession that I pursue.
Most of all, I would like to thank the professors, mentors, and AYA staff for your kindness, encouragement, and support. You let us feel safe to grow, make mistakes, and take creative risks. I appreciate you taking so much time and effort in teaching us how to communicate and be more confident.
In the end, the AYA program has been more than just a summer experience—it has been a turning point in my personal and academic growth. I’ve gained skills, confidence, friendships, and memories that I’ll carry with me for years to come. I’m truly grateful to have been a part of something so impactful.
Communicating Change 