We are thrilled to share highlights from our 2024 GCI Summit, which took place in St Andrews, Scotland from July 20 to 28. Please stay tuned for updates on the 2024 Fellowship!
Saturday, July 20: Arriving in St Andrews and Getting to Know Each Other
We were so excited to welcome our 2024 Fellows as they arrived in St Andrews, Scotland! Arrivals day is always an exciting and eventful beginning to our 9 days.
The Fellows were met by our fabulous team of Teaching Assistants (TAs), all of whom were once Fellows themselves and fondly remember the first day of their Summit. After unpacking and settling in their rooms, the Fellows explored and participated in activities led by the TAs, including walks along the beach, lunch with GCI Founder and Chair Yumi Kuwana and Summit Director Molly Simmons, and icebreakers.
After dinner at John Burnet Hall, our residence and home for the Summit, the TAs led the group in expectation-setting activities and reviewed GCI’s rules and regulations to ensure all Fellows have an enjoyable and safe experience. It was only the first day and already we could see connections emerging, friendships forming, and everyone joining forces for a transformative experience!
Sunday, July 21: Outdoor Team Building
We were so excited to welcome our 2024 Fellows as they arrived in St Andrews, Scotland! Arrivals day is always an exciting and eventful beginning to our 9 days.
The Fellows started the day with a talk from GCI Founder and Chair Yumi Kuwana, who shared her story and journey of creating the organization. Afterward, they explored Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve, about 10 miles outside of St Andrews. The Fellows participated in a series of team building games and exercises designed to help them get to know each other, break down barriers, and build up trust that will invite our best learning together during the program. After lunch, the Fellows continued to implement their budding team dynamic, while also connecting with the natural ecosystem of this area of Scotland, through a collaborative art-building exercise.
Monday, July 22: Design Thinking
Day 3 of the Summit was all about Design Thinking! Returning GCI Faculty Aybike Oğuz facilitated a morning session about what to expect as the Fellows begin to design their Glocal Service Projects (GSPs) over the next several days. Then we traveled to Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, where the Fellows participated in a Design Thinking workshop with University of Glasgow’s Lee Carlton and Jennifer Robertson.
Tuesday, July 23: Harkness® Academic Sessions and Glocal Service Projects
Tuesday was the first day that Fellows participated in Harkness® academic sessions– student-centric discussions that honed their skills in ethical leadership, effective communication, and critical thinking–facilitated by our dedicated GCI Faculty from Phillips Exeter Academy. Discussions took place. Arguments were presented. Topics were analyzed. After these sessions, students walked out of their classrooms with a new perspective on education and learning styles, remaining engaged with ideas that were discussed throughout the rest of the day.
The Fellows also started to work on their GSPs, using Design Thinking to identify and address global issues at the local level. After the Summit, they will continue to develop their GSP with their Mentors and take their projects to the next level in their local communities.
Wednesday, July 24: Harkness® Academic Sessions and Ceilidh Dancing
Wednesday’s academic sessions were much like the first, but the discussions were more enriched and the connections amongst Fellows seemed deeper. In the evening, all Fellows and TAs gathered for a ceilidh (the Gaelic word for party or gathering), led by renowned instructor Joyce Anderson. They had a blast learning several traditional Scottish dances!
Thursday, July 25: Social Entrepreneurship Panel and GCI's First Olympic Games
In the evening, the Fellows heard from a panel of speakers on social entrepreneurship. Our panelists spoke about change-making and entrepreneurship, discussing how their work for social good has been shaped by their core values. The speakers also provided the Fellows with an opportunity to learn about some different career paths and options.
In celebration of the Olympics taking place this summer in Paris, France, the Fellows and TAs took part in the first ever GCI Summit Olympic Games! Between blindfolded and relay races, soccer, synchronized swimming, and charades, they had a great time working together and cheering each other on to victory.
Friday, July 26: Ethics and Team Building
At GCI, we are lucky to welcome global thought-leaders and experts to speak at the Summit. One of these speakers was Dr. Shelby Clark, Principal Investigator & Project Director at The Good Project at Harvard's Graduate School of Education. She led a discussion with Fellows on how to think about and address ethical dilemmas while working on their GSPs.
The Fellows also heard a panel featuring this year's TAs, all alumni of GCI. The panelists inspired our future change-makers with reflections on GCI's positive impact on their lives, career paths, and the world around them. Afterward, the Fellows embarked on another team building and place-based learning activity as they explored more of the history and identity of St Andrews.
Saturday, July 27: GSP Presentations and the Haydn Robarts Celebratory Dinner
After days of dedicated and thoughtful effort, the Fellows presented their GSPs during the morning Exhibition and afternoon Presentation sessions. We could not have been more proud of all of their hard work and cannot wait to see how their projects continue to develop.
The Fellows then celebrated their achievements and new friendships within our GCI community at the Celebratory Dinner, which included remarks from two Fellow representatives, our two Head TAs, and GCI's Founder and Chair Yumi Kuwana. The special speaker was John Primrose, Deputy Director - International Division, Scottish Parliament, who spoke to the power and purpose of international education.
Sunday, July 28: Goodbyes and Departures
The Fellows began their journeys home–whether they were picked up by their parents, took a train to another city in the United Kingdom, or flew out of the country altogether. We wish them all nothing but safe travels and an exciting, fruitful year ahead!
Huge congratulations to our Fellows for completing the first big step in their Fellowship journey! We're so glad you are a part of our community!
Comentários