GW Cyprus Youth Summer Institute : A memorable 10 days

Simply the idea of travelling to the United States this summer was beyond exhilarating; from the nine-hour transatlantic flight to holding dollars in my hands, this trip unlocked a different reality that had, until now, seemed unreachable. The people that were part of it helped make it truly unforgettable; whether it was a class, an afternoon excursion, or simply hanging out on campus, I always felt surrounded by friends and people who shared my enthusiasm for the things we did and learned.

One of the most amazing parts of this ten-day program was visiting two incubators, 1776 and Halcyon. The concept of an incubator was completely unknown to me before this trip and upon encountering it I was filled with awe and amazement. To me they seemed like “the birthplace of ideas”, areas that inspired, provoked and challenged younger and older people alike to put forward their own vision. Haphazardly, yet beautifully, decorated and furnished, these places were not only the workspace of all these entrepreneurs but also their home. It was amazing seeing those people working towards something with so much dedication and passion without the least bit of guarantee that they would succeed. I felt truly inspired by the story of one of the members of the Halcyon group; he had launched multiple ventures, one of them seeming particularly successful, but they all ended up closing down. Yet he stood there alive and full of energy, ready to convey his passion for entrepreneurship and how it is a way of life that easily knocks you down, yet it is up to you to stand up and smile.

Another more abstract aspect of the trip that really intrigued me was the way our morning classes were carried out. Coming from a school which adheres to the British educational system, being exposed to an American style of teaching felt very refreshing and unique. With the guidance of the amazing Professor Stuart Levy, we explored the world of business, and particularly social ventures, through a series of very engaging and interesting classes while also developing our own social venture concept along the way. We also had the chance to listen to and talk with some very accomplished entrepreneurs, namely Monica Flores of Changemakers.com and Monica Kang of Innovators Box, who helped answer questions as to how to develop our ideas. Presenting our projects felt like the fruit of a very long and productive week that gave us so much food for thought.

This trip is definitely something to remember and refer back to.

Despina