Read a first hand account of what it was like for Legacy staff member, Amelia Hagen, working with our Saudi Young Leadership Exchange Program over the summer. 

SYLEP 2017: Summering With Saudis

“If you follow me on Snapchat, you probably noticed snaps that revolved around Saudi Arabia, international exchange, Virginia Tech, social impact, and Washington, D.C. throughout this past July. What was that all about? Back in April, I was selected as one of three facilitators/trainers/trip leaders for the US State Department-funded Saudi Young Leaders Exchange Program (SYLEP). Implemented by the NGO, Legacy International, this program brings 33 US Riyadh Embassy-selected Saudi university students to the US to develop and foster leadership and entrepreneurial skills.”

SYLEP 2017 Unicorns

Amelia Hagen was one of the Leadership Trainers and Trip Leaders for the SYLEP 2017 Program. A two-time TEDx speaker, Amelia has taught English and led international relations projects in Japan over 5 years on the JET Program, coordinated sustainable enterprise initiatives in England, and facilitated professional development seminars and workshops for CIMBA Italy Study Abroad Programs. More recently, she served as a coach and mentor for the Big Spoons Lasallian Social Enterprise Bootcamp in conjunction with the British Council and De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Amelia has a BBA in Process Management and Consulting from The College of William and Mary, an MSc in International Event Management from the University of Brighton (UK), and an MBA from the University of Iowa Italy Program. An experienced traveler, she has visited over 80 countries, including Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, and United Arab Emirates in the MENA region.