VISIONS is a community without borders that includes families future, current and past. It always warms our hearts to hear good news from alumni parents. They are the superheroes behind the scenes, raising teens into the next generation of leaders. At VISIONS, we’re honored to help their children understand themselves and connect genuinely with others, so we were thrilled to hear from Amy, mother of Lydia Ghozeil, Cambodia ‘18.

“After the life-changing experience she had in Cambodia last summer, Lydia changed her long-term goals to a career in diplomacy. She is hoping to work for the U.S. Foreign Service one day,” Amy said. “Her Visions experience gave her confidence in her own capabilities for living in a foreign country without her family.”

Lydia’s newfound confidence in herself and passion for cross-cultural connection propelled her search for opportunities to study abroad for a full year. We were thrilled to hear from Amy that Lydia has been named a Kennedy-Lugar YES Abroad Finalist for 2019-20, a full scholarship from the U.S. State Department, to study in India. This scholarship honored only 65 U.S. students, so a heartfelt congratulations to the Ghozeil family.

Like many VISIONS students, Lydia has a bright future. From what her Cambodia trip leaders had to say, she would make a great diplomat. “Lydia has great patience when it comes to difficult times. She was patient with herself when learning new skills or tasks associated with the worksite. She was patient with other students on the program, always hearing them out and responding with kindness.”

Amy said, “I hope you’ll share in our happiness for experiences that the coming year will bring Lydia as she stays with an Indian host family and studies alongside regular, local students in whichever city she is placed. Hers is truly a Visions success story!”

We are not only happy. We are thrilled!