A Life-Changing Experience at CISV Seminar Camp Paris 2024
    Between 1st July and 23rd July, 2024, I was given the amazing chance to attend CISV Seminar Camp in Maule, France. The 34 participants and staff assembled in this one of a kind three week program, and formed an atmosphere of diversity, dialogue and cultural exchange as they were all people of the world, just like the world was. What began as a leap into the unknown soon became an adventure of development, education, and memorable times. The camp presented challenges to me that I have never before been exposed to and it has brought me out of my comfort zone and molded me into a more confident, open minded and independent person.
CISV Seminar Camps are specifically created to empower youth so that they can be active global citizens. The program supports values that include leadership, intercultural understanding, empathy, and teamwork problem-solving, which are essential in the interdependent world today. My personal objective of the camp was to enlarge my world perception, to sharpen my leadership abilities, and to connect with other people who have the same interest in social impact and the desire to make a valuable contribution to society.
This was an experience that was very intense but at the same time rewarding. All days were subject to organized discussions, interactive games and thought-provoking debates that made us face the real life problems like social justice, environmental sustainability, human rights and the inequality in the world. The content of the sessions was not the most powerful since different members had varied perspectives they presented on the table. I understood the extent to which I could learn by just listening. Reading a story about a person, his or her culture, and how he or she perceives the world. This showed me how to be empathetic, respectful, and open, which are all required to have a real global conversation.
Among the most memorable moments of the camp, I should mention the fact that we were allowed to organize and facilitate our own discussions. As opposed to merely being participants, we were invited to lead and mold the program by engaging in issues that we were passionate about. This was exciting and intimidating to me. Being in front of a crowd of people who belong to other cultures and speak with confidence about my opinions took courage, however, it also made me develop significantly. I also got to know the significance of active listening, the need to develop on others ideas rather than wait until I can speak and that the need to find a point where there is agreement even when people hold different ideas. These are skills that I will always have with me way after the camp, and in my future leadership roles they will still be my guide.
Camp life was not only about disciplined activities, but also learning to be independent and responsible. Three weeks in the foreign country meant I had to look after things that I had never been able to do at home fully. Eating, washing dishes and maintaining order in our common living space were also routine tasks which demanded cooperation and responsibility. These may not be noticed by some as much, but these were some of the lessons that taught me to be self sufficient, to work with others, and to be responsible.
Another big challenge to me was travelling on my own to France. It was also the first time of my life when I had to travel alone, and I had to cope with airports, my time schedule, and adapt to a totally new environment, which was a challenge to my adaptability. Initially, the experience was overwhelming but it eventually provided me with a profound feeling of confidence and strength. I was taught to believe in my abilities, to remain calm in situations of uncertainty and to find the way out of unfamiliar situations quickly. This freedom was one of the most enabling facets of my experience.
In addition to the personal development, the other thing that made this experience never to be forgotten was the friends I made. My exposure to people of other cultural and social origins gave me an opportunity to establish life-long connections. We shared late-night talks, laughter and vulnerability. These friendships did not just end at camp but were a part of a worldwide group of young changemakers, all of us dedicated to building a better, more just, peaceful and sustainable world.
CISV Seminar Camp is, by all means, one of the life-altering experiences that teenagers can have. It does not only impart independence and self awareness but also instills a feeling of responsibility towards the world. It provides young individuals interested in leadership, cultural exchange and social impact with a unique opportunity to practice critical life skills including teamwork, communication, adaptability, and problem-solution in the real-world environment. It also provokes us to stretch our minds beyond our local realities and teaches us to regard ourselves as world citizens.
In retrospect, one of the most life-altering events in my life was the CISV Seminar Camp that I attended in Maule, France. It enlarged my perspective on the world, reinforced my personality, and taught me some skills I will bring into all the future projects. Above all, it reinforced my opinion on the strength of the youth in making changes. I not only left the camp with priceless memories and life long friends but also with a renewed determination to do more towards a brighter and more inclusive future. The CISV Seminar Camp is an experience that no teenager who wants an opportunity to grow, challenge themselves and really know what it means to be a global citizen should miss.
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