“It is great to see how CHI’s staff was interacting, educating and inviting the local families here to consider the opportunity to host international exchange students who are coming to the United States to learn about the cultures here,” said Michael, who is visiting the United States as part of his 20 country cultural exchange and adventure around the world.
Michael is the co-winner of a global ambassadorial competition organized in the U.K. last year, called Your Big Year. The competition saw entries from 45,000 people from 168 countries, all vying for a trip around the world with a meaningful purpose. As the Global Ambassador for Your Big Year, Michael volunteers for projects which bring positive social impact to the local people and helps in the socio-economic development of the local communities, in every country that he visits.
Just recently, this globe-trotting youth was building stoves for rural families in Guatemala, helping construct water tanks in Peru which have provided more than 100 families with access to clean water, and aiding flood-devastated farmers in Queensland, Australia. He then came to the United States to visit CHI offices and staff, to share and promote the importance of cultural exchange and volunteering among the youth here.
Since starting his world trip in January, Michael has visited more than 10 countries including, Hungary, the United Kingdom, Peru, Guatemala, China, Malaysia, Honduras and many others. During each visit he acknowledges the importance for youth around the world to start appreciating cultural diversity and put in efforts to learn about global issues.
“With the advent of the internet, our world has become ‘smaller’, and every job, conversation and exchange of ideas that we have, are integrated with people from all around the world, from different cultures and backgrounds.” says Michael, “We need to promote the notion of being Global Citizens now among our youth, so that their ideas, skills and relationships can truly stretch beyond our local shores and open their minds to global opportunities instead. And cultural exchange is the answer to develop the youth to become Global Citizens!”
Michael has also been speaking to students in international universities in Peru, Malaysia, China and most recently here in the USA, about volunteering and cultural exchange.
Michael believes that with CHI’s well established international exchange programs, young people can explore cultures, learn about new ideas and concepts from foreign communities and be more holistic individuals through the leadership, internship and exchange programs that CHI has set up.
Michael is currently on a camping trip from Seattle to Vancouver, Canada as part of his campaign to promote environmental conservation among youth by hiking through the Canadian Rockies and camping out in the wilderness for two weeks, with all his adventures filmed on camera.
CHI wishes Michael all the very best in his future endeavors, and hopes he continues to be a great global youth ambassador!
