Kenisha:
Before I applied to the HundrED Youth Ambassador Program (YAP), I spent a lot of time debating whether I should. Not because I didn’t care, but because I wasn’t sure I belonged in a space like this. I had interest and motivation, but I also had questions I couldn’t answer yet–about what kind of impact I wanted to make, and whether what I had done so far “counted.”
Looking back, I realize how common that uncertainty is. At the time, though, it felt personal, like a sign I wasn’t ready. Writing this article is a way to speak honestly about that stage, before confidence, before clarity, before things start to un-fog and make sense. Not to oversimplify it, but to name it.
I wanted to write this with my fellow Youth Ambassador, Beyza, because advice from people who are just a few steps ahead can matter. It can make applying feel less intimidating and the process can feel more natural.
Beyza:
Honestly, this article is for anyone who comes across it; whether you want to apply to the YAP or are just looking for a sign to create change in your community, this is for you. No matter your age, background, race, or gender, if you are reading this article, it means that we have one thing in common: passion for change.
It is normal to feel lost in what your passion or purpose is, so through this article, Kenisha and I hope to give you a sense of direction and inspiration to help begin or continue your changemaking journey. We hope to provide you with useful and beneficial advice that our past selves would have greatly appreciated. Therefore, even just inspiring one person to step outside of their comfort zone or lighting a spark in someone who had previously never thought about changemaking would be truly an honor. We hope that you take this article as your sign to take risks and find your “why.”
Kenisha's Advice: Before You Apply & When You Say Yes
1. Finding the Courage to Apply
You don’t need to feel ready to apply. Most people don’t. Readiness is often something we expect ourselves to have in advance, when in reality it develops through the experience itself. Regrettably, doubt does not go away upon being accepted. Many selected participants still wonder if they are meant to be there, particularly at the beginning. It does not imply that you made a mistake in applying–it mostly signifies that you care and you’re diving into something new. Changemaking programs are learning environments. They are tailored for the people who are still in the process of figuring things out, not only for the ones who have already formed ideas or have clear plans.
2. Letting Go of Misconceptions
One of the greatest misconceptions I had was that I needed to start something of my own. I used to think that the whole matter of changemaking revolved around project launchings or initiative standing. Over time, I realized that change happens in several roles. You can contribute by supporting others, advocating within your existing systems, collaborating across differences, or simply asking better, meaningful questions. Not every impact is visible or immediate. You don’t need a fancy title, a loud platform, or a “big idea” to matter. How you show up and engage often matters more than what you build instantly.
3. What to Expect When Entering a Program
There is no ‘usual’ or ‘standard’ experience. Some people arrive with clear goals, others with uncertainty. Some move swiftly, others take time to find their direction. Comparing yourself to others can make it harder to notice your own progress. It’s easy to assume that confidence equals competence or that clarity means success. In reality, everyone is navigating through their own challenges, even if you can’t see it. Your experience doesn’t need to look impressive to be meaningful.
4. Being Open From Day One
Openness makes a difference. Being open to unfamiliar perspectives, cultures, and ideas can shape your experience more than any neatly bulleted plan you bring with you. Some of the most important moments come from conversations you don’t expect or people you didn’t think you would relate to. Staying curious allows those moments to happen. Trying to control the experience with a tight grip can limit what you take away from it. Letting yourself explore without needing everything to make sense right away–creates more room for learning.
Beyza's Advice: Making The Most of the Experience
1. You get out what you put in
When I first joined the HundrED Youth Ambassador Program, I quickly realized that what I would get out of this opportunity was in my hands and my hands alone. While there are many mentors, coordinators, and speakers that you can constantly turn to for support, ideas, and opportunities throughout your journey, at the end of the day, it is up to you to make the most of this privilege to learn, grow, and evolve as a changemaker. Your drive, motivation, and passion are what will push you to connect with other youth ambassadors, discuss SDG-related topics, and maybe even start your own project! But this all comes from within you, not from an outside source. Therefore, use this rare opportunity to light that spark inside of you and take ownership over your learning and growth to create change!
2. Learn actively, not passively
Joining a Zoom call with people you have never met before can be very nerve wracking. At least for me, every time I wanted to ask a question or give an idea, my heart would start beating faster, but no matter how nervous I was, I would still click that unmute button and give my input. And I noticed how the more I asked questions and gave my ideas, the less my heart would beat each time I clicked the unmute button. These “risks” are what enhanced my experience in the YAP and are what helped unlock the changemaker within me. Rather than waiting for someone else to unlock it for me, I did it myself by seeking mentorship instead of waiting for it, asking questions early and often, and documenting my learning throughout the program. Therefore, no matter how scary or nerve wracking it may be to talk to people you have never met before and speak up, remember that everyone is there for the same reason: to meet like-minded youth and make change in the world.
3. Take risks, but care for yourself
I came into the HundrED program being a very passionate person, but I did not know about what necessarily. But I took risks by connecting with people I had never talked to before, learned about issues I was not aware of before, and joined projects that I never would have imagined myself being involved in before the program. At the end of the day, these risks are what shaped my YAP experience and are what helped me discover a passion for women’s rights. If I had not taken any of these risks, I would not be teaching English to girls in Afghanistan right now, which has become something that I cannot imagine my life without. This risk I took is what helped me find my passion, my “why”, and most importantly, myself.
While it is important to be engaged throughout the program and take risks, what’s more important is yourself. As changemakers, it is so easy to get caught up in a large pile of work and high expectations, which is why it is crucial to take time off for yourself and your own mental health. Please remember that burnout does not make you a better changemaker and that you should always be your biggest priority - after all, changemaking starts with you and your mindset as an individual.
4. Community, joy, and global connection
There is one thing that we have not mentioned yet and is unfortunately often overlooked: having fun! This fourth-month program flies by faster than you think, so remembering to live in the moment and enjoy time with your fellow youth ambassadors is essential as it is truly the best part of this experience. While taking action is still very important, we sometimes forget that relationships can be just as impactful as projects, highlighting the importance of building meaningful and lifelong friendships throughout the program.
Remember that this is a rare privilege to meet people from all around the world, and as someone who has completed this program, I can now comfortably say that I have a home almost everywhere around the world including Australia, Georgia, Argentina, India, Hong Kong, Viet Nam, and many more. Online or in-person, the inspiration, beauty, and humbleness these people have do not change, emphasizing how special and enriching the HundrED community truly is. Therefore, meet new people, enjoy the program, and make the most of this one of a kind community as while you may not believe it now, the four months will end in the blink of an eye.
Conclusion: Looking Forward & Giving Back
Kenisha:
What I wish I had known earlier is that changemaking isn’t a fixed identity. It’s not something you either are or aren’t. It’s a set of choices you make over time–how you listen, how you learn, how you react to others–that are given the rewarding title of ‘changemaker’. Coming out of the HundrED Youth Ambassador Program, my understanding of impact has shifted. I now see it less as individual achievement and more as shared effort. Less about having answers at the drop of a hat, and more about staying engaged even when things feel uncertain. If I could go back, I wouldn’t tell myself to be more confident. I’d tell myself that uncertainty doesn’t mean you don’t belong–it often means you’re exactly where you need to be.
Beyza:
The truth is, finishing the YAP does not mean that our changemaking journey has ended, and in fact, it signifies a beginning. One of the best parts of being involved in such an incredible community is the privilege to pass on the knowledge and insights we have gained to new youth ambassadors and other people in our local community. Providing them with the support and information that we wish we had had as previous youth ambassadors is the beauty of the changemaking cycle: we learn, we grow, and then we give back - that’s how we grow into an even bigger and more impactful community. Therefore, rather than seeing changemaking as something that starts and then ends, viewing it as a cycle of learning, growing, and giving back can amplify what we get out of it, the impact we make, and the change we create. And that’s the beauty of changemaking - it never ends.
Interested in joining the Youth Ambassador Programme? Applications for the next cohort are open until January 13th, 2026! Apply now!
