By Jinwon Ahn ’18, News Reporter
In the spring of 2015, on a sunny day with warm breeze, squirrels, and the smell of manure, I was in my room, too nervous to enjoy the outside. I was waiting for the results of the symposium selection that would send six student representatives to Worms, Germany. I nervously checked my email every 30 seconds. When the results finally came out, I jumped around with joy to find out that I had been accepted. Looking back at the four years I spent in Mercersburg, deciding to apply to the symposium — after a class meeting on it — was one of the best decisions I made. It is with sadness that I write after hearing that Mercersburg Academy will no longer participate in the symposium.
Why was this so important for me? As a result of that trip, I really developed my interest in refugees (the topic of the symposium that year), politics, policy and international relations. During the symposium, we met representatives of different international NGOs, actual refugees who shared their stories, and other students from around the world who made fascinating contributions to the discussions.
Due to the symposium, I was inspired to get more involved. I did community service related to refugees back at home and pursued studies in political science. Today, I major in Politics and Government at Sciences Po in France, and plan on continuing in that direction when I go back to Columbia University. Last summer, I worked as an intern for an NGO that gives refugees legal advice and helps them find jobs, housing, food, and healthcare. Although I had this interest before the symposium, my time in Germany was pivotal in making mere interest something bigger for me.
This is not the only reason that I think of the symposium as personally important. During the symposium, I made valuable friends from across the world: from England, Germany, China, Oman, and Texas. During breaks at the event, usually after a day full of discussion, we talked often about our cultures, making not only for meaningful learning experiences but also great joy. After four years, I still keep in touch with some of the friends I made there.
The expenses for the symposium were fully backed by the school, for which our team was very grateful. Plane tickets, meals, housing, and other transportation costs were generously covered. We even received some pocket money to spend on souvenirs. The school took charge of the financial concerns, allowing equal opportunity for all students. Without a doubt, participating in the symposium is very costly. However, it can make a huge impact on an individual level as it did for me. Most importantly, the school’s participation shows commitment to the value behind the symposium: developing students’ global awareness and understanding of other cultures.