FFI GLobal Program
August 7-20
Seventeen young leaders from around the world are coming together for one of FFI's most challenging leadership experiences. Representing countries such as Japan, Egypt, Canada, Peru, and beyond, participants will spend the year developing resilience, communication, empathy, and leadership skills through virtual learning, an immersive experience in Northern Ireland, and the creation of a Community Action Project designed to strengthen their home communities.
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Camila, Peru
Camila is a creative and community-minded young leader who enjoys exploring new ideas, connecting with others, and finding ways to make a positive impact. She brings enthusiasm and curiosity to everything she does and values opportunities that allow her to learn, grow, and contribute to something larger than herself.
She was drawn to FFI because it combines leadership development, cultural exchange, and community engagement. Through the program, Camila hopes to strengthen her confidence, expand her worldview, and build meaningful relationships with people whose experiences differ from her own.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I would like to learn how to address systematic issues like educational gaps in my country."
Dariya, Kazakhstan
Dariya is an energetic and driven young leader who enjoys challenging herself through academics, leadership opportunities, and community involvement. She values resilience, teamwork, and personal growth, and is always eager to learn from new experiences. Her determination and positive outlook help her tackle challenges with confidence.
She joined FFI because she wants to connect with other young leaders and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and perspectives. Through the program, she hopes to become a more confident communicator and develop the skills needed to create positive change wherever she goes.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to ensure that the voices of women are heard and respected."
Ella, Canada
​Ella is a curious and adventurous young leader who enjoys exploring new experiences, meeting new people, and discovering different ways of thinking. She values creativity, teamwork, and stepping outside her comfort zone, and she approaches challenges with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
She was drawn to FFI because it offers a unique opportunity to learn alongside a diverse group of young people while developing leadership skills through real-world experiences. She hopes to strengthen her confidence, gain new perspectives, and build friendships that extend far beyond the program itself.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to create a safe space in my community where anyone can learn anything from one another. I want to strengthen community bonds, reinforcing the idea that nothing is stronger than genuine human connection."
Husnain, Pakistan
Husnain is a motivated and community-focused young leader who enjoys learning, collaborating with others, and finding solutions to challenges. He believes leadership begins with service, empathy, and a willingness to listen, and he is passionate about using his skills to help others succeed.
He joined FFI because he wanted an opportunity to learn from people with different backgrounds while developing the confidence and leadership abilities needed to make a meaningful impact. He hopes to return home with new ideas, stronger communication skills, and a broader understanding of the world.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to do something that makes a positive impact on the life of others, no matter how small or big. Perhaps something in relation to journalism or the United Nations, where I can amplify the voices of the underprivileged."
Kero, Egypt
​Kero is a passionate youth advocate who believes deeply in the power of education, mental health awareness, and community action. He founded Be Wa3y, a youth initiative focused on raising awareness about mental health and social issues, and enjoys creating projects that empower others to reach their full potential. His interests in psychology, leadership, and service are matched by his optimism and commitment to helping others thrive.
He joined FFI because he wants to collaborate with young leaders who share a passion for making a difference. Through the program, he hopes to strengthen his leadership skills, exchange ideas with peers from around the world, and gain new tools for creating positive and lasting change.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I discovered a deep gap in Egypt — most children and teenagers struggle with poor mental health and face challenges that go unaddressed. That's why I founded my initiative Be Wa3y — to empower children and teenagers through mental health awareness and self-development, building healthier minds for a better future."
Meli, Peru
Meli is a creative entrepreneur and community advocate who is passionate about expanding educational opportunities for young people. As the founder of Sparks Lab, she helps students discover opportunities, develop confidence, and pursue their goals. She enjoys drawing, innovation, leadership, and creating spaces where others feel empowered to grow.
She joined FFI because she believes leadership is strengthened through connection, collaboration, and meaningful experiences. She hopes to learn from people with different backgrounds, develop new leadership skills, and bring fresh ideas back to the communities she serves.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to bring everything I learn, about innovation, about business, about building systems, back to Peru. I want to help the entrepreneurs in my country, especially those in informal markets, turn their hustle into something sustainable. I want to develop innovative solutions that actually work for Peru, not copied from somewhere else, but built for us, by us."
Ramazan, Kyrgyzstan
​Ramazan is an entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and youth leader who enjoys turning ideas into action. He has launched projects focused on environmental awareness, education, and youth development, and is passionate about helping young people realize their potential. His experiences as an exchange student have strengthened his appreciation for cultural exchange and collaboration.
He joined FFI because it combines leadership, service, and global connection. He hopes to strengthen his ability to lead diverse teams, exchange ideas with peers from around the world, and discover innovative approaches to solving community challenges.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to impact local students, community members, children and international students in my community, especially those from Pakistan or Africa who come to Kyrgyzstan to study and build their future but often face unfair or disrespectful treatment. My goal is to help locals better understand different cultures ,and international students to feel welcomed and comfortable in our schools and communities.”
Sado, Turkiye
Sado is a globally minded young leader who is passionate about environmental sustainability, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. He enjoys chess, film, community service, and exploring different perspectives through meaningful conversations. His experiences living and studying in different environments have strengthened his curiosity about the world and his commitment to bringing people together.
He joined FFI because he believes understanding different perspectives is one of the most important skills a leader can develop. Through the program, he hopes to deepen his leadership abilities, learn from others, and continue growing as a global citizen.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to impact school kids in need, especially in rural areas, because they shouldn't be facing these difficulties at such a young age. Children living in rural areas are don't have the same opportunities as their peers that lives in urban areas."
Sarah, Pakistan
​Sarah is a thoughtful and compassionate young leader who values empathy, creativity, and community service. She enjoys badminton, clay art, creative expression, and learning about how communities function and grow. Through volunteering at an eye hospital and teaching English to children with limited access to educational opportunities, she discovered a passion for helping people feel supported, valued, and heard.
She joined FFI because she wants to strengthen her confidence, communication skills, and ability to bring people together around meaningful causes. She hopes the experience will help her become a stronger leader while learning from people whose backgrounds and perspectives differ from her own.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to assist people who face food shortages and homelessness… I aim to show people how to practice small acts of kindness because these gestures can create important social changes. I will help my community learn to identify and assist their neighbors who need help through building greater community compassion.”
Sofia, Peru
Sofía is an energetic and creative young leader who is passionate about education, service, and empowering young people. She volunteers as a youth guide and speaker, mentors students, helps organize community initiatives, and balances these commitments while supporting her family’s small business. She enjoys photography, swimming, folkloric dance, figure skating, and finding creative ways to help others succeed.
She was drawn to FFI because it offers a chance to experience leadership on a global scale while connecting with young people from diverse backgrounds. She hopes to become more confident taking risks, strengthen her leadership abilities, and gain new perspectives that will help her pursue her goal of expanding educational and healthcare opportunities for underserved youth.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I would like to know how to fund a library or create prostheses for kids near my district. I think my biggest roadblock is not knowing how to convince others about how to take on so much responsibility, as I think I need a team, or even telling them to invest on my initiatives."
Tae, Japan
​Tae is a curious and adventurous young leader who enjoys learning through experience, exploring different cultures, and watching films from around the world. Her interests in marine biology and environmental sustainability have inspired her to think deeply about how individuals can contribute to protecting the planet. She also spends time supporting younger children through tutoring and mentorship, helping them build confidence and new skills.
She joined FFI because she wants to broaden her perspective and connect with people whose experiences differ from her own. Through the program, she hopes to strengthen her communication skills, gain confidence in sharing her ideas, and learn how diverse groups can work together to create meaningful change.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "I want to impact people in my local community in Malaysia, especially those who rely on outdoor markets for their daily food. This is because many foods are exposed to heat, insects, and unclean conditions, which can increase the risk of foodborne illnesses. By raising awareness about food safety and promoting better hygiene practices, I hope to help reduce health risks and create a safer environment for everyone."
Caleb, USA
Caleb is a thoughtful and reflective young leader who enjoys debate, Model UN, cross country, reading, and exploring new perspectives. Since participating in his first FFI program, he has grown more confident in himself and enjoys finding ways to support his community through school and volunteer activities.
Returning to FFI gives Caleb the opportunity to continue expanding his worldview, strengthen his leadership skills, and connect with people whose experiences differ from his own.
How I Want to Impact My Community: "To help my local community, I have been showing up to community events and talking with people, even if it’s just a greeting. The biggest thing my community needs are more friendly faces, and I know I can help that.”
Hannah, USA
​Hannah is a passionate leader, Nordic ski team captain, and active community volunteer. She serves as president of the Animal Action Club, supports Best Buddies, and created Project Good Morning, a program that helps senior citizens maintain their independence and safety.
After discovering the power of resilience, empathy, and effort through FFI, Hannah is excited to return as an ambassador. She hopes to continue developing her leadership skills while learning from people from around the world.
How I Want to Impact My Community: “One issue in my community that I have taken steps to try and resolve is the safety of our senior citizens. In collaboration with my local fire department, I created Project GoodMorning, a call-in to aid our elderly community. Participants in the program call a non-emergency line every morning at a certain time to confirm that person is safe and well.”
Laraine, USA
Laraine is an optimistic and outgoing leader who enjoys meeting new people and helping others feel included. She is involved in Environmental Club, Student Council, National Honor Society, Yearbook, and several other school activities. Outside of school, she works as a Starbucks barista and enjoys writing, badminton, and automotive work.
As a returning participant, Laraine is eager to continue building her confidence and leadership skills while representing FFI in her community and abroad.
How I Want to Impact My Community: “In our community, I think there’s a bit of a homeless issue. I’d address this by going to city council meetings and advocating for better housing opportunities for them.
Ramashish, USA
​Ramashish is a curious and thoughtful student who enjoys chess, piano, Rubik's cubes, biking, and problem-solving. He is active in his school's Chess Club and National Honor Society and works as a chess coach trainee.
After his first FFI experience helped him become more comfortable interacting with others, he is excited to continue growing as a leader, strengthening his communication skills, and taking on new challenges.
How I Want to Impact My Community: “Traffic and managing population growth are two very big problems in my city. I could raise money to buy drones for the city, so that the drones collect data to better life for the inhabitants.”
Program Snapshot
Program Focus
Global leadership, cultural exchange, communication, community engagement, and personal growth
Number of Participants
15
Number of Leaders
4 (includes FFI Staff and Alumni)
Ages of Students
17-18
Team Interests
Leadership, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, community service, education, mental health advocacy, science, arts, photography, film, sports, and cultural exchange
Dietary Restrictions
Plant-based (Vegan)
Allergies
none
Nations
Egypt, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Peru, Türkiye, and the United States
Every Student Attends Tuition Free
$5,000 per student
In order for FFI to make these programs 100% tuition-free for accepted applicants, we rely upon individuals, companies, and foundations to donate towards scholarships. If you would like to do so, please click the button below for an online gift or mail a check to our Headquarters at 1 Morgan Way, Durham, NH 03824. Please be sure to include a note directing your funds.
One full scholarship equals $5,000, but gifts of all sizes make an impact on the lives of the youth participants.