Nur Ezzatul Zawani binti Haji Hussin described her participation in the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellowship from August 21 to September 25, 2024, as a transformative experience.
The five-week Environmental Issues program in the United States, supported by the US Embassy in Brunei, provided Zawani with valuable insights and skills. A teacher at PGGMB School Kampung Sungai Akar, she described the experience as a profound journey of self-discovery enriched by meaningful conversations.
“I experienced growth in public speaking, engagement, leadership, and self-reflection,” she said. “The program sharpened my critical thinking and allowed me to learn alongside some of Southeast Asia’s brightest minds.”
She thanked the East-West Center program staff for their exceptional support and credited her fellow ASEAN participants for their contributions and shared memories that left a lasting impact.
During the fellowship, Zawani engaged with inspiring guest speakers, including Senator Chriss Lee, and immersed herself in Hawaii’s rich culture through traditional activities like hula dancing and taro preparation. Study tours showcased coastal management, marine conservation, and waste management innovations such as the H-Power waste incineration plant.
Her journey also included an entrepreneurship program at the University of California, Berkeley, and visits to the Golden Gate National Park and Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex to learn about innovative waste management practices. In Washington, D.C., she explored the Lincoln Memorial, the Anacostia River, and the Water Pollution Control Plant.
Zawani hopes waste management solutions like those at the Davis Street facility and H-Power plant could be explored in Brunei to promote advanced green technologies.
Inspired by her experience, she has proposed a community initiative, NEXUStartups, to address water, food, and energy issues in Southeast Asia. Leading the logistics team, Zawani aims to foster collaboration among YSEALI alumni and fellows to develop solutions for local communities.
“This experience was more than travel; it was rich in conversation and meaningful discussions that enhanced my critical thinking,” she said.
YSEALI is a US government-sponsored exchange program supporting young leaders in Southeast Asia. It offers opportunities for undergraduate students and young professionals aged 18-25 to participate in academic programs in the United States.
Zawani looks forward to applying the environmental and leadership lessons she gained to future endeavors, confident that they will contribute to her success and benefit her community. – LYNA MOHAMMAD
