There was an unusual buzz in the room as I was making my all too familiar turkey and swiss sandwich, I heard that there was going to be a presentation that day over lunch. I sat down and began to eat my sandwich quickly as I knew I also had to go to church that day, it was All Saints Day! I was sitting in the Parlor of the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, in the heart of Washington D.C., a semester school that I attended my junior year, which brings together highly motivated students from across the country. As I started to munch on my sandwich my 20 classmates and I settled into our seats as the presentation begun. Conor explained in detail to us options available to us on graduating high school, which would include adventures in Ecuador, Senegal or Brazil, host families and apprenticeships to gain a new understanding of the country that we were placed in, this was going to be my first introduction to Global Citizen Year. I was hooked; all I can say about that day is that a seed was planted. This seed caused my visions of going straight to college to come to a screeching halt. As you may have guessed, I did end up applying and subsequently being accepted to Global Citizen Year. The seed that Conor planted within me, nearly two years ago, has now blossomed here in Cuenca, Ecuador. I can’t wait to share this journey with you. And despite my great intentions, I never did make it to church that day. But now, looking back, I think my parents will forgive me!
A Seed.
About Emily Brett
Hailing from Derby, England, Emily has had a life filled with adventure ever since she can remember. Now living in Cleveland, Ohio, Emily attended Laurel School where she was the President of the Model United Nations Delegation and the Awareness Alliance. Her intense curiosity about sustainable international development and budding economic regions led her to study in Washington D.C. at The School for Ethics and Global Leadership (SEGL) her junior year. Through SEGL, Emily traveled to Rwanda in the July of 2012 to study genocide prevention and restorative justice. During her time in Ecuador in the coming year, Emily hopes to gain Spanish fluency as well as truly immerse herself in the culture and lifestyle of the country.