Global Careers and Education Panel with the Opportunity Network

Global Classroom had a wonderful experience working with the Opportunity Network, an after school career development program for talented and underserved public high school students in NYC (www.opportunitynetwork.org). Two panels of global guides met with the Opp Net students to share their international educational and work experiences. Here’s what two of the participating global guides had to say:

"As a fan of Global Classroom I am very excited to tell about my experience about the Opportunity Network workshop. This is a group of young high school juniors who are blessed to have this opportunity some other students may not have. I found them very open-minded and keen to learn a lot about other cultures and to travel to learn more. With no doubt, I could see that they act as global citizens."

Idrissa Mamane Rabiou
Nigerien Global Guide

“My name is Ali Elghrabawy, and I am a Fulbrighter from Egypt. When I was in Egypt I never imagined that I would talk about my country one day. Global Classroom gave me the chance to do so. I participated in the Opportunity Network workshop, which was an excellent opportunity to meet high school students in NYC. They were very bright and we have been told that they are the best students in NYC. In this workshop, my fellow Fulbrighters and I talked about our countries and answered questions from the students concerning everything about ourselves and our countries including culture, economy, people and traditions. By participating in such workshops I have also started to appreciate my own country, realizing that many things we used to take for granted are really great and unique, which made me more proud of my country.

In other global classrooms I not only talked about my country but sometimes also involved the students in some activities that can get them closer to Egypt. Almost all of these students have never been outside U.S.A. and I am sure they loved virtually visiting all the countries represented by me and by other global guides. In my opinion, correcting stereotypes is the most important benefit from this program because it will help American students to appreciate other cultures and create a global understanding.”

Ali Elghrabawy
Egyptian Global Guide