2020 Seniors Reflect on their CISV Experience

CISV has been a huge part of my world. Each program is life-changing. The family I’ve made and the  activities I’ve participated in have contributed to my outlook on pretty much everything. I can’t express how much being a part of this community means to me.

I’d just like to thank everyone involved for helping me find similarities in our diversity and pushing me to grow and find my heart. CISV is something I think everyone should experience just once. If that could happen, nobody would hate our differences- everyone would love the way we were made to.

     – Ellie, an alumni of CISV Village in Italy, Step Up in Canada, and Junior Counselor in Guatemala

I enjoyed every moment of being in CISV.  It gave me
new insights and passions.“

– Julia, a veteran of France Interchange  and 3 years on the CISV Jax Junior Branch Board.

Julia graduated from Bolles and will be attending Florida State University.

“I have been a part of CISV Jacksonville since I was 11, and it has been one of the most influential parts of my life.  From making new friends and learning about different cultures
to activism to making a change in my community, I will keep the CISV spirit with me in college.
I will never forget the family I  have made in the past 7 years, and I have learned so much about sustainability that I hope to use in my future.”

– Anya, a graduate of Bolles
who will be attending the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Her CISV experience includes 4 years on the Junior Branch Board, include as Local Junior Representative (i.e., President), Village to New York 2013,  Youth Meeting to Switzerland 2014, Step Up 2015 to Canada, Step Up 2016 (chapter share with the DC chapter), and Fortnight 2018.

“CISV has been a defining part of my life for the past 5 years. CISV has also inspired me to be
both more aware of  what is happening in the world as well as how my actions can create an impact. JB in particular has given me the opportunity to make lasting friendships and to be an active participant in my community.

I am forever grateful for my CISV experiences.”

– Eesha, who attended an Interchange to France 2016 and served for 2 years on the CISV Junior Branch Board.

Eesha graduated from Stanton and will be attending the University of Florida.

“CISV made me a more independent and global person and allowed to me make lasting friendships with people around the world.

In the future, I may apply to be a staff member at a village
or seminar camp at CISV. Also, my participation in the organization has led me to consider study programs in different countries
when I am in college.“  

– Shaan, Junior Counselor to of Austria Village 2018 and Seminar Camp delegate 2019 to Italy.

Shaan attend Florida State University.

“Spending a summer in Sweden with CISV not only introduced me to new cultures, but also taught me to be innovative and creative in building relationships.  It further nurtured my love of travel and exploration,
something I will take with me as I plan to pursue a career in International Business.“

– Mabel, an alumni of CISV Interchange to Sweden.

Mabel is a graduate of Episcopal and will be attending the University of Virginia.

“I’ve carried my CISV Village experience with me everyday since we left our camp in Italy.  It fostered in me a love of travel and a deep desire to understand and connect with those who are different from me. Instead of starting college right away, I’m taking a gap year to do a 9 month mission trip called the World Race Gap Year.  I will be going to Swaziland, South Africa, Ethiopia and Cambodia to participate in several kinds of missions.  I don’t think I would have had the courage to do it though, had I not been a part of CISV.  The year after I hope to attend the University of Florida to double major in criminology and sociology. I would absolutely recommend CISV to anyone who is considering it.  It is a life-changing experience.”

– Madison, Italy Village alumni

Madison will participate in a 9 month mission trip with World Race Gap Year.

“CISV was the best thing that could have happened to me. Not only did it give me an opportunity to grow my leadership skills and explore other cultures, it provided an accepting environment to be myself and make genuine friends. Through the JB, I was able to hone my communication, planning, and time management skills through planning minicamps and local activities, and in turn, I had to dive deep into human rights issues and sustainable development to gain an understanding beyond the surface level. I will never forget the many memories
I made in CISV and I will carry CISV values with me for the rest of my life.“

– Kristin, a graduate of Episcopal
will be attending
Wake Forest University.

Her CISV experience includes 4 years on the Junior Branch Board, including serving as Local Jr. Representative (i.e., President), Village to Italy 2013, Interchange with Italy 2014, Youth Meeting to Peru winter 2014, Interchange with Sweden 2015, winter Step Up 2016 to New Zealand, winter youth meeting to Portugal 2017, Junior Counselor Detroit Village 2018, winter Youth Meeting to India 2018 and winter Seminar to Guatemala 2019.

“I went to camp not knowing anyone, and I left knowing many people from seven countries…I got to create who I wanted to be, and I liked being her…. I feel comfortable with who I am, and I can create a friend anywhere I go. This experience not only helped to love myself, it taught me that I can love people from all different backgrounds.”

– Serena Rakov attended Step-Up Madrid in summer 2017.

Serena graduated from Bartram Trail High School and is attending Florida Gulf Coast University.