“I might never forget the debate we had over GMOs in Environmental Issues — how heated the debate was and how much I learned about the different perspectives that I need to examine about an environmental issue.
I also loved all the diversity chats after school on Mondays. Chewonki provided a safe space for everyone to share their opinions and ideas. I especially appreciate that everyone is open-minded and excited to learn from what others have to say. Even though I considered myself as well-educated on many topics, I gained more understandings on issues from others’ perspectives during the chats.
At Maine Coast Semester, I started becoming more confident in raising my voice. My semester allowed me to see the impacts that I could make when I share my voice – showing my poster at the Climate Justice Rally in Augusta, chanting at the #Blacklivesmatter rally in Portland, talking about diversity issues with everyone at Chewonki… Maine Coast Semester made me eager to share my thoughts, my concerns, and my beliefs with everyone. I became more vocal at my school after I came back and I am determined to make more changes.”
Hans, St. Mark’s School, Southborough, MA; Hometown: Hangzhou, China