The Future of Iraq

As many of you may know I am a person who loves to talk about leadership, skills and etc. Robyn insisted that I created a post regarding my employment. I’m sure many of you are wondering what type of job that I had. Well, I served as junior facilitator to this organization called World Learning contracts with the School for International Training to provide international youth exchanges. This organization with the help of the U.S. Department of State and fund youth leadership programs. This program brings youth from a country and allows them to utilize, enhance, and learn their leadership skills. For the months of July-August, the program brought youths from different regions in Iraq.

I can remember as if it was yesterday when all of the students arrived completely tired from their long flight from Turkey and a 6 hour drive from New York to their destination. In the dark of night, I met the students who I would be living with for the next week or so. Although they were completely exhausted from traveling for such a long time the students had a smile upon their faces anxious for what the next day would bring. I may have been highly excited with “pre-program jitters” because I was unable to get to sleep until 3am. Surprisingly, I got up fairly early and met the students who I would be training. They seemed unbelievably fun and ready to learn.

I then accompanied them to their first workshop which featured a series of circles (we love circles since they are inclusive 8-) and teambuilding activities. I watched in sheer amazement as the students came together with their American counterparts to engage in laughter, joy, and loads of positive energy eager to meet each other. As I watched the students come together there was not any type of anger or hatred among any of the students. In fact, they were engaging in some of the healthiest conversations that I have seen in years. I must tell you that Benjamin Franklin’s quote: “Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear” applies to this situation. It was then that I knew the American media had sadly let its viewers down by portraying Iraq as some war torn country that hates America, which in fact it is trying to rebuild itself despite such negative stereotypes.

The students here were some of the brightest students I have ever seen with English proficiencies that sounded as if they were native speakers. I watched as students different cities, countries, shapes, sizes, colors, and religions came together to unite and become leaders. They were all eager to learn and discuss their past interests and their future dreams. Unfortunately, time progressed and the week flew by filled with experiences that many of us will never forget from drumming, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, ice cream, songs, campfires to public speaking, environmental issues, equal rights, and etc. Each day was filled with cross-cultural communication. Each day was life changing.

This experience reaffirmed in me as to why Robyn and I created “Breaking Perceptions” which is to “Educate. Challenge. Change. Unite.” Upon the departure day at an airport where they went to their different cities to continue the program, I could not help but think about the future of Iraq. I can safely say that the future of Iraq is very bright!

~Cortez Alexander