Our 2024 Teen Ambassadors shared their favorite moments and reflections from their I Want to be an Ambassador experiences, highlighting the camp’s impact on their lives. From engaging with diplomats and business leaders to developing essential skills in communication and leadership, each camper walked away with a deeper understanding of global issues and cultural exchange. Here’s what they had to say:
Ashok:
Hi my name is Ashok, I am going into 9th grade at North Allegheny. I experienced so many new things such as visiting the offices of the vice president, going to the Luxembourg embassy, and going to the capitol building. These things really shaped this camp for me. I’ve learned a lot at this camp that I never thought I would. All the friends I’ve made here enhanced this camp to a whole new level. Learning how to present myself properly, inclusion, culture, and diplomacy are life skills I can take with me outside of the camp. At first I thought this camp would be like school, but clearly I was wrong. This camp has changed the way I view how people communicate and work together as a whole, and made me look at a bigger picture and not just through my perspective. Being able to carry what I have learned from this camp will help me in any career I pursue, and I look forward to that. This camp has had one of the best impacts on me as a person and a hopeful ambassador. I hope everyone here has had the same good experiences I’ve had, and for us all to be very successful. To end this off I want to say thank you to Michael, Deb, and Hilda for giving me this opportunity and for all the fun.
Ben:
Hi. My name is Benjamin. I am a 17-year-old student from Fox Chapel Area High School. This camp was very fun and exciting. I met a lot of nice people and made some friends. We met with many important diplomats and ambassadors. We learned skills about speech and debate and many different cultures from this camp, and we had so much fun. I also got the chance to share something from my hometown with other people. It was a great experience for me. I could tell that it made me a more open-minded person. I believe this camp will be an interesting memory for all of us.
Ziyad:
My name is Ziyad and I am a rising sophomore this fall. This camp truly changed my outlook on professionalism, diplomacy, and every other form of building connections you can possibly imagine. What this camp did for me was tremendous, in the way that it introduced me to the very real world of foreign affairs. From meeting Ms. Nicole, the ambassador of Luxembourg to the United States, Mexico, and Canada, who showed us the importance of traveling throughout the world to comprehend various cultures; to the officials in the embassy of Singapore, who made me want to dive even further into how such a newly independent nation is able to thrive culturally, financially, and everything in between. Finally, Trinidad and Tobago, with their cozy yet vibrant atmosphere, emphasized the strength of unity, whether it’s between two islands in the Caribbean or different religions, races, ethnicities, and nationalities. The tours of government buildings, like the White House and Capitol, gave me an unreal feeling. Being in the Senate room, a place that I’ve watched the State of Union Address take place for as long as I can remember, or meeting the people that work in conjunction with our Vice President showed me that childhood dreams come true and it is possible to change the world through collaboration and diplomacy. The Pittsburgh portion laid the groundwork for me to succeed in DC, showing me different elements of communications or different solutions to various situations. All of this was great, but most importantly; there wasn’t a single day where I didn’t tell my parents how good the food was. So thank you teachers, students, speakers, officials, and our bus driver Kevin for making this experience one of a kind.
Mack:
Hi, my name is Mack. I am 17 and attend Winchester Thurston. Before I started this camp I had no idea what to expect from it other than the fact it was related to being an ambassador and that we were going to DC. For me this camp has been a learning experience that has let me grow in many ways like making me a stronger speaker and learning about different cultures I would have never known about. Even though the camp was only a week, I have been able to learn so much and meet many people from different backgrounds and cultures that have given me a broader perspective of the world. My favorite part of the camp in Pittsburgh was the cultural rooms at the University of Pittsburgh which showcased a variety of different cultures and architecture from around the world. My favorite part of the DC trip was being able to meet the staff of the Vice President and being able to hear what they had to say was awesome. This camp has been an experience like no other for me, and I have enjoyed my time here and all the friends I have made along the way. Thank you.
Shehad:
Hello my name is Shahed and I’m 16 years old. Attending the “I Want to Be an Ambassador” camp was an amazing experience, bringing together people from many different countries and cultures.
My visit to the Embassy of Luxembourg taught me how important it is to have diversity. Talking to the ambassador and seeing their multicultural environment showed me how different perspectives can lead to better ideas and stronger international relationships.
I learned about different traditions, beliefs, and ways of life, which enriched my understanding. These experiences highlighted how our differences can unite us and create a richer, more inclusive community. I am thankful for the chance to learn from everyone’s unique experiences, which has really shaped how I see the world and my future goals.
Anisten:
Hi! My name is Anisten, I’m 16 years old, and I would like to tell you about my experience at this camp. Before I showed up to the camp, I was incredibly nervous. I assumed that this camp would be a stricter version of school, but I was quick to find out that this camp is far from that. Luminari’s “I Want to be an Ambassador” camp has been an incredibly transformative experience for me. Through this camp, I have learned skills that will serve me for a lifetime.
The camp’s workshops and activities taught me the importance of effective communication, diplomacy, and cultural awareness. I now understand how to navigate complex conversations, negotiate with confidence, and appreciate the diverse perspectives that make our world so vibrant.
Our field trip to Washington, D.C. was a highlight of the program. Visiting the heart of our nation’s government was inspiring and eye-opening. We had the unique opportunity to tour the Capitol, meet with diplomats, and explore the embassies of Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, and Luxembourg.
My biggest take away from the camp was learning that being an ambassador is not just about representing others, but about leading with integrity, empathy, and a commitment to making a positive impact. I am grateful for the friendships I made and the mentors who guided us throughout this journey.
Lucas:
Hello, my name is Lucas, and I am going into my senior year in high school. When I originally signed up for Luminari, I had no idea what to expect. I chose to join this camp mainly because I was looking for ways to fill my summer. However, what I got out of this experience was much more than I could have hoped for. From foreign ambassadors to cookie activists, I was instantly amazed by the quantity of amazing people who we had the opportunity to learn from. I was able to get perspectives from people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds, and hear their varying experiences in America. From this, and from various other speakers, I learned about the challenges that come when two different cultures come together. When cultures collide, differences in customs, traditions, and language can result in tension and discrimination.
One of the speakers was an immigrant from Korea, and spoke about the bullying she faced when she came to America. To avoid discrimination like this, we must take the time to learn about the other culture. And this is what an ambassador does. An ambassador’s job is to build a good relationship with another country, and to do this they must show respect by understanding and taking part in the other country’s customs and traditions. When we went to the embassy of Trinidad and Tobago, we sang their national anthem, we hugged instead of shaking hands, and we danced on our way out of the embassy, all customs of Trinidad and Tobago. This was the main lesson that I learned: to avoid tension, and to build stronger relationships with other countries, we must spend time learning and understanding their culture. This is the crucial job and challenge of being an ambassador.
Julia:
My name’s Julia, I’m 15, and from Mount Lebanon. It’s such a privilege to stand before you today and share my experience at Luminari’s ambassador camp. It has truly been transformative and inspirational.
In February of this year I doubted whether or not I should apply to the Luminari scholarship; I’ve always shared a passion for the intersection of cultures and for the creation of community, however self-doubt of whether I was experienced enough was holding me back. I ended up taking a risk, applying, and being selected, for which I am forever grateful to Luminari for.
Throughout the camp, we learned not only about cultures around the world, but about cultural humility, public speaking, and peaceful compromise. It’s truly so much more than I could’ve ever imagined.
One of the most impactful moments for me was in the embassy of Trinidad and Tobago. Not only were they intently devout at listening and responding to our questions, but they emphasized that “each one of us is already an ambassador.” In this moment my entire perspective shifted to realize that we already proudly uphold our nation and work to unite it with others. Each day, we interact with diverse groups of people and embody the values we have as a country. Although we tend to think of ambassadors only as politicians with years of experience, in reality, we all uphold that responsibility as Americans.
On a final note, I honestly can’t say enough about the people I’ve met, both campers and staff—they’re all so smart, kind, and have amazingly bright futures ahead of them. Thank you so much to the Founder of Luminari, to Margaux, Deb, Mr. Reed, and Mrs. Schirra, and for all the people who made it so memorable and meaningful. Thank you!
Sofiia:
My name is Sofiia and I’m 16. I was born in a small beautiful town called Kalush in Ukraine. But unfortunately, in February 2022, a war came to my country that took and continues to take innocent lives. Therefore, this camp is important for me personally, because it was here that I learned the first steps of diplomacy. The boundary of diplomacy is very fragile. It is the quality of diplomacy that determines the peace in the country you live in and beyond its borders.
With bad diplomacy, you can start a war, but with the help of wise diplomacy, you can put an end to any aggression. When we visited the Vice President’s office, I finally understood my career passion and the path I wanted to take. At the same time, I want to thank all the camp staff at Luminari, thanks to Deb, to Mr. Reed, to Heather, to Margaux and others, and especially Ms. Hilda, who founded this camp and who continues to give young ambitious people a chance to experience the responsibilities of an ambassador. Also, I’ve met a wonderful and supportive crew here which I will be forever thankful for.
Connor:
Hello, my name is Connor. I am a 16-year-old going into eleventh grade. For the past seven days, I have been in Luminari’s “I Want to Be an Ambassador” camp. It has been an unforgettable experience which has gone beyond anything I expected. I made friends here. I learned culture and speaking skills by playing games where we simulated different cultures interacting or reenacting the Cuban Missile Crisis. Coming in, I was expecting something overly formal, which only cared about image and how proper we were.
And while those things were still emphasized, what I got was far better. I got something that cared about us, the students. All around me I got the privilege to meet and grow with so many incredible people. Sincerely, I would like to thank Luminari and everyone involved with it for this opportunity.
Noa:
Hi, I’m Noa, and I’m a rising freshman. Luminari has been both an enriching and fun experience for me. I have enjoyed speaker activities, exploring new flavors, and meeting new friends. One of my favorite activities was in Pittsburgh, when we were split into the Alpha and Beta groups, each with our own languages and cultures. When we reflected on our interactions with one another, I learned how important it is to be open minded and inclusive. I also loved learning about Trinidad and Tobago, Luxembourg, and Singapore from experienced diplomats and even the Luxembourgish Ambassador herself. I learned how to formally ask questions, give thanks, and listen attentively. Luminari has helped me grow and has encouraged me to seek education or a job in foreign affairs. Also, a week ago I did not know any of the other students at this camp, and I have made great friends who share a passion for language and diplomacy with me. Plus, I found a new love of Ethiopian food! Thank you so much to all of the adults who helped fund and organize this camp! Thank you Mrs. Fu, Miss. Schirra, Mrs. Klein, Mr. Reed, and Margaux! Your amazing work taught me so much and I am so grateful for you all!
Zain:
Hello My name is Zain. I am 15 years old and a rising sophomore from Lower Merion School District. I joined the “I Want to be an Ambassador” camp hoping to learn about advocacy and public speaking. Little did I know that I would learn so much more about diplomacy, different cultures and countries.
One of the best experiences of the camp was to see the three Embassies in Washington D.C. and to step inside and talk to the diplomats, and to learn about how the day in the life of an ambassador really is which gave me an in-depth perspective about diplomacy. Every embassy I went to felt like I was really in that country, and I was able to grasp the diversity of the world in a way like no other.
I was introduced to important aspects of negotiations and conflict resolution through simulations on international crises. I also learned to use teamwork to solve problems, with everyone coming together with different perspectives, and to find a middle ground that can be agreed on. I was introduced to various cultures in unique ways that were hands-on, such as writing Chinese letters and using chopsticks to kneading and making dough to learning about Bulgarian baking. This taught me to look at traditions and cultures from around the world with an open heart and a new perspective that I had never seen before. I was treated to food from around the world, from Greek to Thai cuisines experiencing different cultures through taste.
Throughout the camp, I made long lasting friendships through the common hobbies we shared and the activities we pursued, and primarily, the middle ground of simply wanting to make the world a better place through solutions and negotiations. Luminari was a summer experience like no other, and the memories I made throughout the times in Pittsburgh and D.C. are times I will never forget.
***
Thank you to all our campers for their enthusiasm and insights. We can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll achieve!
