How the Global Issues Network Impacted Me by Cameron

How the Global Issues Network Impacted Me by Cameron - December 2019 Scholarship Essay

Two years ago, my father was reassigned with his job to Denmark. This move afforded me the wonderful opportunity to spend my junior year studying abroad at Copenhagen International School. Service and caring for others is a community priority in Denmark, since it is a large expat community. Moving from the small town of Clayton, North Carolina to Europe gave my such a different perspective on the needs of others outside of my community and even the United States. I jumped at the chance to join the Global Issues Network (GIN) club at my international school, and I made such an immediate impression that my peers elected me Vice President of the club! The goal of GIN was to raise awareness of social issues around the world to the community of Copenhagen International. Living and studying next door to the United Nations Headquarters, our club was able to partner with the UN to achieve our goals. Some of our projects included GirlUp, where we promoted the health, safety, education, and leadership of girls in developing countries, and raising awareness for Cyclone Idai in partnership with the UNHCR.
My proudest effort with GIN was to bring attention to Cyclone Idai, which devastated most of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi. I felt strongly to provide much needed aid to the affected, as this is a globally underdeveloped region and the recovery was predicted to take several months or longer. The cyclone destroyed over $1 billion of infrastructure, with over 100,000 homes destroyed and occupants displaced. I felt the call to action and as GIN Vice President, I knew it was my duty to lead the effort. In order to bring attention to the disaster to my fellow students, I organized a presentation for the school, showing videos of the destruction and impact to people in the region. Most students were completely unaware of the disaster and immediately felt the need to assist, so we organized a competitive fundraiser between each grade level.
After the fundraiser, we donated all the funds to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The UNHCR used all funding to provide food, water, shelter, hygiene kits, and restore sanitation in the affected areas. The opportunity to work so closely with the UN to achieve humanitarian assistance inspired me to want to do even more for those less fortunate or whose lives are impacted by poverty, natural disasters, or civil unrest. Being Vice President of the Global Issues Network brought me great satisfaction that I could use my voice to influence the student body and bring awareness to the international community. The seemingly small act to help these African regions made a big impact on me personally. It was proof that even as a young high school student, my leadership can drive others to get educated, get involved, and commit to serving others at home and around the world.