Wrapping It Up

September 7, 2006 by Mike • Portland, USA

The IOU Respect program was full of emotion! We had fun, we enjoyed each other's stories and learning about each other’s countries and their history. We laughed, we cried, we got frustrated, but at the end of everyday, we respected and understood each other a little bit more. I think the group grew from knowing each other.

This program was filled with great excursions and activities that brought us together, and workshops/training focused on giving us the skills to work toward our one common goal – PEACE!

This exchange changed our lives. It challenged us think more, to be better listeners, and to be a friend to someone. We built strong bonds and forged lifetime friendships. Even though we disagreed on some things and debated others, there was one thing we all believed in … that success is in the journey, not the destination! We learned to stand up, and be heard. We can make a difference – and we will!

Closing Program

August 4, 2006 by Megan • Chicago, USA

After spending the morning preparing for our closing program, we welcomed many important guests to HI-New York. We heard inspiring messages from Russ Hedge, CEO HI-USA, Glenn Azuma, President HI-USA, Gail Hesse, International Youth Hostel Federation, The Honorable Charles B. Rangel, U.S. Representative, Gerhard Koller, Vice President, Deutches Jugendherbergswerk, Erik Holm-Olsen, Program Officer, U.S. Department of State, and Mr. Ali Ben Said, First Secretary, Embassy of Tunisia. The painting teams presented their works of art, the declaration team read their meaningful statements, and the documentation team presented a great video and slide show of the exchange experience. After this, participants exchanged gifts, took photos, and gave hugs. We concluded the evening with a great group dinner at Carmine’s where we had many toasts and laughed a lot!

Expressing Learning and Thanks

August 3, 2006 by Megan • Chicago, USA

Back to New York! Once we were back in the city, we completed our team project work. After dinner, we engaged in a powerful session. We expressed our feelings toward one another through a moving activity and spent time looking into each other’s eyes to reflect on what we all mean to each other. We discussed what lessons we learned and what we will take home from this exchange. We shed many happy tears and exchanged many hugs.

Dining and Dancing

August 2, 2006 by Megan • Chicago, USA

It was another hot day at Ironmaster’s hostel, but the project teams persevered and worked together to sketch their paintings, draft the declaration, and gather material for documentation. After their hard work, participants took the bus to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We spent time shopping in gift stores, eating lunch, exploring the visitors’ center, and looking at the battlefields. Back at the hostel, the lucky Moroccans and Americans walked to the lake to cool off while the dedicated Germans and Tunisians prepared food for their “culture night”. We all enjoyed their delicious meal, a concert by Simon on his Alphorn, and dancing Tunisian-style.

Breakfast in America

August 1, 2006 by Mike • Portland, USA

Today we started the day with a wonderful traditional American breakfast at Ironmasters. We then proceeded to work in our team groups, which consist of an art team, declaration team and a documentation team. We all put our heads together so we can describe this experience as a whole. We spent the afternoon at the lake near our hostel enjoying the sun, swimming, and boating. We finished the night with a great BBQ and all sharing photos and stories with each other around the hostel here at Ironmasters.

IronMasters

July 31, 2006 by Bianka • Nürnberg, Germany

Today we went to Ironmasters. On the way we made a stop at Walmart and some of us bought the strangest things that you could imagine. At around 5 p.m. we arrived at Ironmasters and explored the house. Then we enjoyed playing or at least trying to play Volleyball and had Pasta for dinner. In the evening was the project work after which we just relaxed a bit around the site.

Religion and Politics

July 30, 2006 by Megan • Chicago, USA

We spent the morning in Harlem at Abyssinian Baptist Church. We listened to a spirited sermon and enjoyed the sounds of the choir. After lunch, we visited Ground Zero. This was a particularly difficult experience for the American participants, and enlightening for all. Back at the hostel, we engaged in an open and honest discussion about politics and war from different perspectives.

Cultural Night with Birthday Surprises

July 29, 2006 by Bianka • Nürnberg, Germany & Kenza • Marrakesh, Morocco

After having a very emotional session about stereotypes we had to relax because this was really challenging. Then the cultural night of Morocco and the U.S. was prepared and Germans and Tunisians had free time. Awesome, hilarious, fantastic, glorious.... Those are words to describe the cultural night for both Moroccans and Americans. So much fun with cooking. Poor men had to wash the dishes so that we can make it fair. Then the party got started: food, dancing and the surprise for our two adorable Tunisian girls Marwa and Nadia who had their birthday.

Spirtuality and Cultural Exchange

July 28, 2006 by Soumaya • Casablanca, Morocco

Friday was full of spirituality. All the girls had to dress up modestly and put on headscarves. At noon we went to the mosque in NY to see how Muslims practice their faith and pray. After the prayer ended we had discussion with the 'imam' and other muslims about Islam and the issues related to the Arab and Muslim community in the USA. After that we visited the Egyptian church in New York. We were infomed about Christianity in the Middle East especially in Egypt by the church priest. After that we had dinner in a Lebanese restaurant where we met with Arab community leaders who spoke about their concerns and the difficulties they encountered after the 11th of September.

A Trip to the UN and a Visit to the Statue of Liberty

July 27, 2006 by Mike • Portland, USA

The day was started with our usual great breakfast in the courtyard and then off to our next adventure, the UN here in New York. We split up into two groups and then it was easier to see a good portion of the UN facility. As we walked to different rooms where the delegations meet, reality set in. Mr. Idris (an active member of the UN) explained the variety issues that have become the goals of UN, and it began to make sense to us and left us hopeful. It was a peaceful feeling for us to know that even though it takes time, the UN is trying to move forward instead of backwards on the journey to a world that is in sync with each other.

We ended the day with a wonderful trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Our eyes were opened to the walk the immigrants took to have their dream of improving the life for themselves and the people they loved. Many of us were touched, moved and even realized that if it was not for the immigrants from so many countries, their leap of faith, and with that faith; it allowed many us, for a moment to walk in the shoes of those who gave us the opportunity to continue the dream. Like our Grandparents and Great Grandparents to be standing there on July 27th having this experience was a very memorable moment.

Coffee, Bagels and the Love of Singing

July 26, 2006 by Bianka • Nürnberg, Germany

On this Wednesday we also did a lot. After having our bagels and good morning coffee we went to two community gardens which both were in their different ways very nice and important for their community. After that, some time off. At lunch we worked very hard on different serious topics with a lot of reflection work. We first got into active listening and then practised it in talking about holidays in our countries, family and religion in small groups. After that we finished up with talking about our identities and that made us understand our journey better. We had a wonderful dinner at Janet's and Malcom's home where we also discoverd our love for singing.

Commmunication Exercise plus the New York Mets

July 25, 2006 by Hedi • Hammam Sousse, Tunisia

The program was consisted of: Community visit to self-portrait Graffiti exhibit. It was interesting especially that this kind of art started in the streets and now is being recognized by a broader public. After lunch we did an activating ‘Photo Scavenger Hunt’ in which we had to take funny pictures with a beautiful gnome. Then we talked about the program of the actual week and set the stage through hopes, expectations and concerns. So we determined some guidelines for our coming communication. (e. g. clarity, sticking to the thing, identifying the problem, …) We always used exercises to reflect on communication. (e.g. talking about responsibility, fear, trust, corporation and team spirit, etc.) Finally we went to the New York Mets game and enjoyed the dinner at ball park.

The Ice-Breaker

July 24, 2006 by Bianka • Nürnberg, Germany

We started with ice-breaker exercises getting to know each other (Grouping activities, ‘name origin’, ‘How I got here’, ‘Tut-tut game’). At lunch, we were welcomed by Russ Hedge, the CEO of HI-USA. Each country prepared a presentation about its own country using visual aids with traditional music, decoration and pictures. At night, we had free time to discover NY city and had dinner in town.

Our expectations were really similar to each other because we all think that it’s important to make friends around the world and get to know each other's cultures to get rid of stereotypes. We can start to act openly without any prejudices.

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