Algerian Youth Leadership Experience

Mohamed Foudil BOUADDA AKA FADO

Passionate about photography, videography and marketing

Active member in many scientific and art clubs in Medea

Co-founder of a small business “Effective Communications” 

Alumnus of Algerian Youth Leadership Program (AYLP)

Algerian Youth Leadership Program (AYLP) is an exchange program of 4 weeks in USA for Algerian high school students focused on civic education, diversity & inclusion, leadership, and community engagement.

Why did you choose AYLP?

AYLP was a great option for me back in 2017. I was young and I was passionate about learning leadership and helping my society. Once I heard about the program from a friend, I realized that's AYLP is exactly what I needed as it covered leadership, journalism and global citizenship training. And for teenagers between 14 and 18 years old there were few options but for me AYLP was the most complete.

What did you learn at the University of NEVADA, RENO?

At the University of Nevada, Reno, we had a full rich program and it was divided into two categories:

The first part was leadership: the amazing Todd Felt gave most of those sessions. We worked on ourselves, personalities and the way we see and interact with others, he always said and repeated many time that we should be leaders and not bosses and that remains one of the most amazing training I had.

The second part was about journalism: and specifically video journalism where the gifted Nico Colombant taught us all the necessary basics about video making and about journalism and the best part was that it was all hands on. We were filming our experience in the US while learning. 

What is the added value of this program in your career and life?

AYLP added so much to both my life and careers.

My mentor Fares Bouloudani taught us how to start our project and always motivated us to do well. AYLP helped me learn how to communicate with others, share ideas and accept different opinions and enjoy different cultures. It gave me boost to launch my career and to launch myself to start achieving all my goals and knowing that I have the needed support from my fellows AYLPers.

  

What kind of challenges did you meet? 

AYLP even though was a good program; it had few of it challenges. The schedule was really full and we had to do everything on time so it was hard for me to adapt at first.

But one of the biggest challenge that I'm still facing is the cultural shock, it was the hardest part of AYLP. Coming back from top class universities and the top country in the world to Algeria was hard. Adapting back to the corruption we face and to the harsh lifestyle we have was hard.

Could you tell us about the application process? 

So AYLP is like any other exchange program brought by the US embassy. The process has four different parts:

First, you will fill out an application form and answer the questions required then you attach two recommendation letters (usually your English teachers or mentors you worked with).

If selected you move to the next step, you will have an online interview to answer three questions.

Then, if selected you will have a physical interview with the program coordinators at the US Embassy in Algiers and that's where you have to proof your determination and why you deserve to be accepted in the program.

What are your tips to 2020 applicants?

Future AYLPers, you should be confident about yourself, confidence is a key. Also work on yourselves a lot, read books and watch online courses, join clubs and be active in the community it will help you to be accepted but most importantly we need leaders in Algeria, we need you.

I met Mohamed Fodil during Social Media Camp Algeria, I was impressed by his energetic, and charismatic personality .He is an autodidact person what makes him capable to build his career independently J

Happy to have him as my guest today on Salma Share

I wish him all the best in his career and life.

Follow Application to Algerian Youth Leadership Program