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After a stringent process, 12 talented Bahraini young professionals and students have been hand-picked for the 45-day adventure starting next week, as Bahrain’s fourteenth delegation to the annual Ship for World Youth (SWY) programme.
The team is comprised of nine delegates: University of Bahrain students Noor Albasri and Bader Albader; civil defense officer Hamad Najem; film maker Yousif Abdulla; civil engineer Marwa Hussain; humanitarian Eman Faqihi; youth activities specialist Reem Almuraikhi; teacher Siddiqa Alnamlaity and scientist Zainab Abdulrahman.
Three leaders will head the team, including former SWY23 participant and national SWY leader Budoor Kamal, assistant national leader and artist Jumana Khorrami and second assistant national leader and law school graduate Mohamed Alsaffar.
Budoor commented: “Having participated in this programme before, I have many fond memories of the programme and I can attest to the dramatic change every participant goes through, as they spend 45 entire days, 31 of which are with very limited access to phones or the internet, mingling with new friends and pen pals from every corner of the world.
“And the fantastic part is that it’s an on-going network they join. There are annual reunions and conferences, so this 45-day trip may be the start of a lifelong journey for many of them!”
Participants will spend about 31 days sailing through the Pacific Ocean, including short stops in Hawaii and an extended stop in Ensenada Mexico.
They will engage in multilateral exchange activities on land and shore, studying and discussing common issues, capping off their sea adventures with a brief period in Japan spending time with Japanese host families and visiting cultural, educational and business institutions, including the facilities for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics games.
Noor, who studies English literature at UOB said: “I am excited to represent Bahrain and take to the seas for this programme, even though I sometimes get seasick! I want to explore Japan’s beautiful views, meet the polite people there and of course, enjoy the cuisine. I am also looking forward to get to know the people from all the various countries who will be joining us for the trip!”
The Kingdom of Bahrain has been invited to participate in the SWY programme fourteen times including this year’s delegation joining the SWY Programme in its 32nd batch.
The purpose of the SWY programme is to broaden global views, promote mutual understanding and friendship, foster leadership abilities, and establish social and professional networks among youth from around the world through cohabitation and teamwork opportunities.
Bader, who studies chemical engineering at UOB added: “Even though this is my third exchange trip, it’s my first time going on-board a ship and that too, for 31 days! I have goose bumps but I am looking forward to learning as much as I can about samurais, sushi and modern Japan, while making many new friends.”
