After a week long adventure to the U.S, 10 CCF students have returned from the Tony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) having had an experience of a lifetime. The summit, which spanned over four days, gave students a unique opportunity to learn the skills they will need to take on leadership roles
From breaking wooden boards to Disneyland and even a suspected case of dengue fever, there was never a dull moment for the 10 students. As they excitedly share their experiences, the words ‘amazing’ ‘friendship’ and ‘confidence’ are repeatedly woven throughout their stories.
Students from 34 countries gathered at the summit, providing the CCF students with their very first challenge: forming friendships in English. Whilst the students had prepared by taking intensive English lessons, meeting groups of new people still posed an obstacle to overcome.
Fearing that his accent would make it difficult for people to understand him, Raksmei, aged 16, said “The thing I learnt the most about was communication.”
During the evenings at GYLS a debrief of the day’s events would take place, allowing participants to share their thoughts from the day.
It was during this time that Raksmei was able to share his concerns, he said “I told them I was afraid to say what is on my mind but they encouraged me to share...They gave me the floor to speak. It was my magic moment and it inspired me a lot.”
For one of our students however, the GYLS trip took a slightly different path. Upon arriving in San Diego, Rachany,16, felt unwell and was taken to hospital with a suspected case of dengue fever. Fortunately it was not dengue, but she was admitted to the hospital for care.
Despite this, Rachany managed to take part in most of the events at the summit and reflects positively on her time there; “Even though I was quiet because I felt sick, if I saw one person who was quiet I would go to them and help them, I think I showed my leadership skills.”
On the final day Rachany joined her fellow CCF students in an day trip to Disneyland, where the students faced their fears in a slightly different way by braving to go on the thrill-seeking rides.
Friendship and overcoming fears came hand-in-hand during the summit. Taking part in group discussions and leadership simulation exercises, the students were put to the test. One exercise in particular proved to be a CCF favourite: the Board Break.
The Board Break is an exercise designed to help overcome fears. The students wrote their challenges on a wooden board which they then had to break by hand with one impressive hit. It is a physical and emotional metaphor for overcoming barriers in life and it resonated with the CCF students.
“At first I thought I am so small, I cannot break it,” said Sathea, 14. “I was nervous but I had to be brave and challenge myself. Now I know I can change because I can break it”
‘It was a connection between heart and mind,” recalled Vireak, who alongside breaking the board on his first try, was also the proud recipient of a GYLS Leader of the Week award.
Like his fellow CCF students, Vireak has big ambitions for the future, “I want to be a civil engineer. I want to make my country have growth,” he said.
Rothanak, 16, says he wants to work in IT and GYLS has inspired him to “step up” to his goals.
The students aspirations have been only been strengthened by GYLS experience; they have gained confidence and a greater understanding of leadership.
Boran, 17, a GYLS alumni who attended the event for the second time, said, “I want to be a leader. I want every single person to share the feeling, to feel like you are confident and to become a leader. Not because you lead the other people but because you lead yourself and have your goals and aims to be a good person, to help your community and to be a role model for others.”
Now they are back in Phnom Penh they are eager to share their experiences with students who did not get to attend GYLS. The students will be designing their own leadership activities, showcasing the skills they have learnt and putting them into action.
Their advice for students hopeful to attend next year's summit? Prepare.
Raksmei gives these words of wisdom, “… don’t be afraid. Do not be afraid about speaking English or your accent, It is about leadership.”
“Have confidence and be prepared. You have to study hard, be a good student and be open minded and confident at the event. Smile, we are all new together and you have to make friends and enjoy the moment,” said Boran.
With the help of the Tony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) and the CCF Leadership Program, CCF prepares students to be the new generation of leaders in Cambodia and equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to make a positive impact on their community.
Alice Brown/CCF
From breaking wooden boards to Disneyland and even a suspected case of dengue fever, there was never a dull moment for the 10 students. As they excitedly share their experiences, the words ‘amazing’ ‘friendship’ and ‘confidence’ are repeatedly woven throughout their stories.
Students from 34 countries gathered at the summit, providing the CCF students with their very first challenge: forming friendships in English. Whilst the students had prepared by taking intensive English lessons, meeting groups of new people still posed an obstacle to overcome.
Fearing that his accent would make it difficult for people to understand him, Raksmei, aged 16, said “The thing I learnt the most about was communication.”
During the evenings at GYLS a debrief of the day’s events would take place, allowing participants to share their thoughts from the day.
It was during this time that Raksmei was able to share his concerns, he said “I told them I was afraid to say what is on my mind but they encouraged me to share...They gave me the floor to speak. It was my magic moment and it inspired me a lot.”
For one of our students however, the GYLS trip took a slightly different path. Upon arriving in San Diego, Rachany,16, felt unwell and was taken to hospital with a suspected case of dengue fever. Fortunately it was not dengue, but she was admitted to the hospital for care.
Despite this, Rachany managed to take part in most of the events at the summit and reflects positively on her time there; “Even though I was quiet because I felt sick, if I saw one person who was quiet I would go to them and help them, I think I showed my leadership skills.”
On the final day Rachany joined her fellow CCF students in an day trip to Disneyland, where the students faced their fears in a slightly different way by braving to go on the thrill-seeking rides.
Friendship and overcoming fears came hand-in-hand during the summit. Taking part in group discussions and leadership simulation exercises, the students were put to the test. One exercise in particular proved to be a CCF favourite: the Board Break.
The Board Break is an exercise designed to help overcome fears. The students wrote their challenges on a wooden board which they then had to break by hand with one impressive hit. It is a physical and emotional metaphor for overcoming barriers in life and it resonated with the CCF students.
“At first I thought I am so small, I cannot break it,” said Sathea, 14. “I was nervous but I had to be brave and challenge myself. Now I know I can change because I can break it”
‘It was a connection between heart and mind,” recalled Vireak, who alongside breaking the board on his first try, was also the proud recipient of a GYLS Leader of the Week award.
Like his fellow CCF students, Vireak has big ambitions for the future, “I want to be a civil engineer. I want to make my country have growth,” he said.
Rothanak, 16, says he wants to work in IT and GYLS has inspired him to “step up” to his goals.
The students aspirations have been only been strengthened by GYLS experience; they have gained confidence and a greater understanding of leadership.
Boran, 17, a GYLS alumni who attended the event for the second time, said, “I want to be a leader. I want every single person to share the feeling, to feel like you are confident and to become a leader. Not because you lead the other people but because you lead yourself and have your goals and aims to be a good person, to help your community and to be a role model for others.”
Now they are back in Phnom Penh they are eager to share their experiences with students who did not get to attend GYLS. The students will be designing their own leadership activities, showcasing the skills they have learnt and putting them into action.
Their advice for students hopeful to attend next year's summit? Prepare.
Raksmei gives these words of wisdom, “… don’t be afraid. Do not be afraid about speaking English or your accent, It is about leadership.”
“Have confidence and be prepared. You have to study hard, be a good student and be open minded and confident at the event. Smile, we are all new together and you have to make friends and enjoy the moment,” said Boran.
With the help of the Tony Robbins Global Youth Leadership Summit (GYLS) and the CCF Leadership Program, CCF prepares students to be the new generation of leaders in Cambodia and equip them with the tools and knowledge they need to make a positive impact on their community.
Alice Brown/CCF
