My journey in YYGS began on a momentous day—August 10, 2023. Here’s the rundown: I was scrolling through the Applying2College subreddit when—wham!—this program post appeared right up front. It was like destiny knocking at my virtual door. “Apply!” it whispered.
Decision day came, and, well, surprise, surprise—I got a hefty financial aid! Yale, you’re the real MVP! Money shouldn’t have a say in chasing dreams, and YYGS gets it. Also, just think about this whole application rigmarole as an FYI into the wild college admissions world. Consider it practice for the big leagues.
I was thrilled to be part of the SGC —Solving Global Challenges—track, where both my curiosity and passion for problem-solving were fully charged. This track was somewhat of a rollercoaster of interesting seminars: politics, green technologies, architecture, law, and medicine. It’s like a playground for brains that gives a taste of what goes on in each area without being pressured into the choice of major just yet.
One of the highlights was our green tech seminar with Professor Daniel Prober, who handed out those cool diffraction glasses with a warning not to look at the sun through them. Being my family, we all said, “Well, we have to try it!” But, honestly, we were too chicken to actually look at the sun. It was one of those moments that made me laugh and reminded me that learning can be as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Meeting people from all corners of the globe was a blast! Hanging out, grabbing lunch, and exploring the campus. It’s astonishing how much we can bond over our love of food and curiosity, even if our daily lives look like they’re straight out of different TV shows. We’ve spent countless hours debating everything from the best pizza toppings to the most interesting lecture. Coordinating showers and bathroom time with my floor mates has become an epic team sport. Who knew global camaraderie would include a shared appreciation for the art of the communal restroom?
The best part about YYGS was seeing students shine through events like the Speaker Series and the Talent Show. I threw my hat in the ring for the Speaker Series audition, and let me tell you, it was like watching a parade of confidence and charisma. There were so many incredible speakers that I half-expected someone to come out juggling flaming torches!
But guess what? Amidst all this awesomeness, I somehow managed to snag a spot in the Pierson Speaker Series. I’m still not sure how it happened—maybe I dazzled them with my umm…. well, let’s say enthusiasm and humor. Either way, it was an epic moment that made me feel like I’d just won a ticket to the coolest show in town.
The Talent Show left me utterly amazed. Seeing my fellow floor mate sing with such an incredible voice was jaw-dropping. So much so that the eight of us on my dorm floor would gather together around 10 PM before heading to bed, and we asked him to sing a song for us during the suite check.
I’m incredibly grateful for my amazing family, and while I’m sure everyone feels the same way, I have to give a special shoutout to my family instructors, Mitchell and Yulia. They brought us all closer together—Family 10, you rock! I was fortunate to have Mitchell for my capstone project, along with Mio. Both of them were incredibly sweet, kind, and helpful throughout the entire process.
With all this in mind, for future students applying to YYGS: this program is an incredible experience, so don’t stress too much. Start socializing the moment you step onto campus and dive into everything the program has to offer.
The last day can be especially emotional—I was in tears, dreading the idea of not attending lectures, seminars, family time, and hanging out with my dorm mates. All I could say to myself was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line: ‘I’ll be back.’ Indeed, with all the incredible experiences, connections, and Life360 accounts, I know I will carry YYGS with me always.
Shriram, YYGS 2024, Bangkok & Thailand