Jordanian Youth in Austin, July 2011

 

Introduction: A group of 8 young Jordanians ages (14-17) visited Austin, Texas for a Relational-Leadership101 workshop. They stayed with host families, met and interacted with American youth, visited many sites, and took formal training in Relational and Leadership Skills.

 

Objective of the workshop: To increase self-awareness among the group members, to gain exposure to a different culture and learn to understand and accept differences, to understand their own relational needs and those of others, to learn how to meet these needs, and identify and adopt leadership skills.

 

Places and visits: The capital building and City Hall, The University of Texas, Texas State University, The Ridge Fellowship, North Austin Muslim Community Center, Six Flags, Schlitterbahn water park, Round Rock Express baseball game, Lady Bird Johnson museum, and other tours around town and downtown.

 

Formal training topics: Increased self-awareness, building and maintaining meaningful relationships, relational need and meeting other relational needs, developing leadership skills, how to empty my emotional cup, the team of life, problem solving methods, giving first and outreach, be the change you want to see in others, interfaith reconciliation.

 

 “This was the best learning experience and most fun I have had in my life, I would do it every year if I had the chance!”  Aya Tantash, Participant