With the recent launch of the Inaugural year for the United Planet Alumni Council, we would like to take this opportunity to let you get to know the first Executive Council members! This week we would like to introduce you to the innovative and hard-working Vice President, Amy, who is more than ready to take on the challenge of providing future and current Alumni with a wonderful and fun Alumni Network.
Amy went on a Quest with United Planet in mid 2010 to beautiful Nepal, where she dedicated 2 weeks to a Counseling Centre in Kathmandu. Here Amy shares with us how her experience changed her, and what she envisions for the Alumni Council’s future!
Amy with some of the adorable children she met in Nepal
Amy’s time in Nepal allowed her to make a change in her life. “I felt balanced and re-focused with a renewed sense of priorities and purpose. It was a very humbling experience.” She spent her days playing with the children and practicing English with them, and enjoyed interacting with the local population in Kathmandu.
Amy fell in love with the children she worked with and is interested in sponsoring at least one of them with ongoing education. Amy says of her most cherished memory of her time in Nepal: “playing in the rain and going to various temples with the girls. They were so excited to share their traditions, and it was beautiful to observe.”
When Amy returned from Nepal she was looking for a way to reconnect with United Planet as well as her host country, and how to spread the word of United Planet. These reasons are why she accepted the position as Vice President for the Alumni Council.
Some more awesome kids at the orphanage
Some day she hopes to find a career in the world of non-profit organizations. Amy is hoping that this meaningful journey will bring with it some amazing opportunities. She has many ideas for the Alumni Council and how she could be able to help create a powerful network for the Alumni of United Planet, “I hope to create a more cohesive family of UP alumni and create ways for everyone to share their experiences with both alumni and future volunteers.”
For the future of the Alumni Council, Amy visualizes an annual Alumni conference for the Alumni that are interested in reconnecting with other volunteers, future or past. She explains, “I would also envision a program to help alumni stay connected to either their host country or host program/family.”
We wish Amy luck in her role with the United Planet Alumni Council, and we’re certain that her dedication and love for the cause will bring with it some wonderful developments for the future Alumni of United Planet!
Good luck Amy!!
Amy leaves us with her favorite quote;
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement”. ~ Foster C. McClellan
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
