Since foundation of GYLA, over 1200 participants from about fifity universities have graduated from GYLA programs. Some of the GYLAers have worked as interns in the United Nations agencies. Today, we are pleased to introduce some of outstanding GYLA graduates who worked or have been working in the UN agencies, particularly, share with you what they thought about GYLA and impact on their growth and career development over the past years.
"GYLA has not only enlightened me with knowledge of SDGs and global communities, but has also given me a clear view about UN agencies and UN systems. My 21-day stay at UN campus in Turin, Italy has transformed mindset and increased my sense of responsibility. What's more, I had a clearer I view of the future of the globe. Thanks to GYLA inspiration and empowerment, I was able to have the opportunity to work as an intern in the UN agency." -Naiqian Zhang, participant of GYLA 2019, intern at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
"The 2018 UN summer program provided us with a comprehensive picture of a wide variety of UN agencies in terms of its values, mandates and actions for me. If “UN” and “me” could mean broader career path greater achievements individually, “UN” and “us” may signify a greater role and a louder voice in international governance for China as a whole, which was, is and will always be the fascinating objective for me to strive for."- Rufan Yuan, participant of GYLA 2018, intern at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
"To me, the United Nations always holds an intangible and prestigious image, but in GYLA, I have never been so close to the UN. Through the courses given by the UN officials and the university professors, I learned how the UN system works and what we must focus on to make a better world, but more importantly, I learned how to think in the way the UN does, which helps me live a fulfilling life. Besides, I have made many friends in GYLA who also have great ambitions and are willing to devote themselves to the better world. I believe that GYLA will attract more excellent young people in the future for its uniqueness, professional devoting, and foresightness." -Xiaotong Yang, intern at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
"To adapt to and thrive from the challenges we face in these tumultuous times, sustainability and success must reinforce one another in any aspect, especially for personal growth, and for me GYLA is where I got help from to start achieving that goal. One year ago I was part of the very first GYLA and felt honored to be apart of it, because it was the first time I learned the UN 2030 Agendas for Sustainable Development, and enhanced my ability on leadership and multicultural communication systematically. I've been fortunate to meet many amazing people full of inspiring stories and cool ideas. GYLA in my mind, is one of the best programmes for the youth to learn about social development trends regardless of what kind of professional career they decide to pursue in the future. Global, Young, Lovable, Academic-That's how I want to describle GYLA" - Chen Han, participant of GYLA 2019, intern at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
"Participating in this splendid GYLA program, for me, is like taking an adventure and makes me realise that I have locked myself inside a comfort zone for quite a long time, but there are more potantial roles I can play in the globalised world. Students majoring in languages often joke that we should know something of everything and experts should know everything of something. Thanks to GYLA summer program, I know more about everything and decide to explore more about something, especially in the field of education, to contribute to achieving SDGs." - Chen Lin, participant of GYLA 2018, intern at the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
"Working for international organizations like UN has always been my dream. It used to seem far away, but GYLA just made it closer. I cannot be more grateful for this chance to engage in the program, learning earnestly, communicating deeply, interacting actively and experience genuinely. I sincerely wish greater success and development for the program and that more youth with enthusiasm and passion can benefit from it." - Xin Guan, participant of GYLA 2018, intern at the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC)
