Millennial Uses Technology to Connect Students, Communities Across the Globe
Millennial Uses Technology to Connect Students, Communities Across the Globe
Picture a student in science class, seated at a desk, her computer on. The student isn’t writing a paper about her studies or reading class materials, according to Akash Patel. She is interacting with students halfway around the world in Australia, touring their classroom, hearing about what their science quiz will cover that week. The child, from her desk in America’s heartland, is experiencing a world she may never get to travel to – but because of the World Experiences Foundation, she’s learning from it.
Founded by Akash in 2012, while he was in college, WEF is designed to bring classrooms and communities together worldwide to develop global citizens and impart anti-bias multicultural and multilingual education. The 26-year-old Norman, Oklahoma, resident, who was a full-time volunteer up until last year, believes people of all ages can – and should – make a difference in their communities. “Volunteering is such a terrific way of creating a community you want to live in,” said Akash. “Volunteer, make a difference, start small, and see how it evolves into something big.”
Akash has been struck by the response to his work, and believes the digital-first generation is inspired by stories of goodwill shared online in ways that other generations have never before experienced. “A lot of these young people think ‘I’m too young, and I don’t think I can make a difference,’ but maybe my life can be an inspiration to these folks,” he said. “You are never too young to make a difference. If you have that will and if you have that passion to make a difference in the community, it’s never too late to start.”
