We asked Kristen, Tara and Marjan to send us a paragraph to introduce themselves and to let us know what this exchange opportunity means to them. As you can see by their responses below, we have no doubt that these 3 young leaders will excel at YMCA Camp Artigas in Uruguay this winter!
Kristen Schmidt, Winnipeg
Hello everyone! My name is Kristen Schmidt and I am very grateful to have been chosen for the 2012 Uruguay International Exchange. I have participated in various Y programs since I was very young, and have been employed at the Downtown Y since May 2003. I currently hold the position of the Aquatic Program Coordinator at the Downtown branch. This past June I graduated from the University of Manitoba and received my Bachelor of Arts degree with an advanced major in Spanish and a minor in French. The Y has guided me, and continues to influence me as a leader. I am ecstatic to work at Camp Artigas in Uruguay because I know it will be a rewarding experience. I look forward to helping build leaders in a camp environment, as well as growing as a leader myself. This exchange will accommodate my passion for other languages and cultures. I look forward to experiencing Uruguay, practising Spanish, and building friendships and memories that will last me a lifetime.
Tara Molson, Regina
Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, I began working with children at the age of 15 at a residential children’s summer camp. After this, I became camp director, and currently, I am the Programming and Planning Chair for the Camp’s Board of Directors. The knowledge and understanding that I have gained throughout these experiences is invaluable; I now continue pursuing my passion of working with children at the YMCA of Regina, where I am the Director of School Based Programs, overseeing programming in 19 Regina schools.
I could not pass up the chance to apply for this exchange opportunity. I am very interested in the work that the YMCA does internationally; and feel that this experience will give me a unique perspective on the YMCA’s global impact. Furthermore, this experience will allow me to bring back practices and ideas to the programs that I manage. As the Director of School Based Programs, I believe that an exchange experience such as this will impact the staff team that I lead, the programs that I develop and the department that I work with.
Marjan Mogharrabi
Hi! My name is Marjan, and I currently live in Guelph Ontario. I am very excited to have been selected for this exchange to Camp Artigas in Uruguay! For the past 3 years, I have been working at the YMCA/YWCA of Guelph, working in a variety of children and youth programs. This past summer, I was the Director of our YMCA summer camps, which was a really fun experience that allowed me to both create and facilitate programs, as well as be involved in the camp by participating in daily activities with the children. Through my years of work experience at the YMCA, including my recent camp experience, I have developed skills that I think would be an asset to Camp Artigas. What is most interesting to me about this exchange opportunity is the chance to gain some unique perspectives and camp practices that may not be common here in Canada. My current experiences have been solely based in North America, and I am interested in broadening my knowledge in terms of camp and recreational activities for children. By participating in this exchange program, it is a great chance to learn, while also building relationships with other participants at the camp.
I am currently reading a lot of Spanish books and listening to Spanish CDs to help prepare for the exchange! I am excited to be able use what I have learned soon, and to meet the other 2 girls going to Uruguay! Hope to talk to everyone soon!
As we celebrate Peace Week 2011, the International Working Group encourages you to explore how the YMCA and the YWCA serve the various communities they work in across the globe!
Kristen Schmidt, Winnipeg
Hello everyone! My name is Kristen Schmidt and I am very grateful to have been chosen for the 2012 Uruguay International Exchange. I have participated in various Y programs since I was very young, and have been employed at the Downtown Y since May 2003. I currently hold the position of the Aquatic Program Coordinator at the Downtown branch. This past June I graduated from the University of Manitoba and received my Bachelor of Arts degree with an advanced major in Spanish and a minor in French. The Y has guided me, and continues to influence me as a leader. I am ecstatic to work at Camp Artigas in Uruguay because I know it will be a rewarding experience. I look forward to helping build leaders in a camp environment, as well as growing as a leader myself. This exchange will accommodate my passion for other languages and cultures. I look forward to experiencing Uruguay, practising Spanish, and building friendships and memories that will last me a lifetime.
Tara Molson, Regina
Growing up in Regina, Saskatchewan, I began working with children at the age of 15 at a residential children’s summer camp. After this, I became camp director, and currently, I am the Programming and Planning Chair for the Camp’s Board of Directors. The knowledge and understanding that I have gained throughout these experiences is invaluable; I now continue pursuing my passion of working with children at the YMCA of Regina, where I am the Director of School Based Programs, overseeing programming in 19 Regina schools.
I could not pass up the chance to apply for this exchange opportunity. I am very interested in the work that the YMCA does internationally; and feel that this experience will give me a unique perspective on the YMCA’s global impact. Furthermore, this experience will allow me to bring back practices and ideas to the programs that I manage. As the Director of School Based Programs, I believe that an exchange experience such as this will impact the staff team that I lead, the programs that I develop and the department that I work with.
Marjan Mogharrabi
Hi! My name is Marjan, and I currently live in Guelph Ontario. I am very excited to have been selected for this exchange to Camp Artigas in Uruguay! For the past 3 years, I have been working at the YMCA/YWCA of Guelph, working in a variety of children and youth programs. This past summer, I was the Director of our YMCA summer camps, which was a really fun experience that allowed me to both create and facilitate programs, as well as be involved in the camp by participating in daily activities with the children. Through my years of work experience at the YMCA, including my recent camp experience, I have developed skills that I think would be an asset to Camp Artigas. What is most interesting to me about this exchange opportunity is the chance to gain some unique perspectives and camp practices that may not be common here in Canada. My current experiences have been solely based in North America, and I am interested in broadening my knowledge in terms of camp and recreational activities for children. By participating in this exchange program, it is a great chance to learn, while also building relationships with other participants at the camp.
I am currently reading a lot of Spanish books and listening to Spanish CDs to help prepare for the exchange! I am excited to be able use what I have learned soon, and to meet the other 2 girls going to Uruguay! Hope to talk to everyone soon!
As we celebrate Peace Week 2011, the International Working Group encourages you to explore how the YMCA and the YWCA serve the various communities they work in across the globe!
