We asked students:
“What did you gain from engaging in a global project or conference through Round Square? How has the experience influenced you?”
Here’s what they said:
Piper M.
Grade 8 | Round Square Regional Conference, Alberta
At Round Square, I gained a deeper understanding of different cultures and improved my leadership skills. This experience taught me how to make connections with people from diverse backgrounds and how to work as a team. Round Square also helped me push my limits, helping me to grow my confidence and my independence. Being part of this experience made me more globally minded and curious, which has helped me to make a positive impact in my community. Overall, Round Square has taught me to approach all challenges with an open mind.
Alysha D.
Grade 9 | Round Square Regional Conference, Alberta
My Round Square trip to Calgary was one of my most memorable and impactful experiences of 2024. I learned how to thrive in a new environment and I developed special relationships with the people with whom I travelled and stayed. I was exposed to different ways of thinking by connecting with teenagers from all over the world and I learned that I could be independent and make good decisions. I came away from this experience as a more open-minded, confident, responsible and mature student, with new and improved skills that I’ve applied to my everyday life.
Sophie M.
Grade 11 | Round Square International Conference, Colombia
Standing in front of a fruit vendor in a bustling Cartagena market, the air thick with the aroma of fresh produce, I clutched a handful of pesos, trying to decipher how much I owed. The Havergal Delegates and I stood out, unmistakably as outsiders. Communicating through gestures and smiles, I purchased the sweetest mango I’ve ever tasted. This Round Square International Conference experience — connecting without words, overcoming cultural and language barriers — was repeated many times over in Bogotá with international students and my Colombian host family. I came away a braver, more confident and resourceful person, eager for new challenges and perspectives.
Lilly S.
Grade 11 | Round Square International Conference, Colombia
Through the Round Square International Conference in Colombia, I was able to gain leadership skills and experiences, and learn about a country that is quickly working to change and evolve. I also made global friendships that will last a lifetime. As Delegates, we were able to help the underserved community around us through environmental and service activities. Since these communities had never received support like this before, they were extremely grateful for the Round Square Delegates. Gaining relationships with those communities changed me as a person, opening my eyes to societies unlike my own and urging me to continue to participate in service projects in my community and around the world.
Sarah K.
Grade 12 | Round Square International Conference, Kenya
Attending the 2024 Round Square International Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, gave me the opportunity to meet hundreds of delegates from nearly 30 countries around the world. Not only did I learn about the culture, environment and people in Nairobi, but I also gained insights from the diverse Delegates at the conference. This experience taught me the value of sharing personal experiences and perspectives with others in order to mutually learn and develop deeply broadened world views. Furthermore, visiting the Maasai Mara National Reserve for a pre-conference experience, I gained a deep understanding of both the similarities and differences between the ways of life in different countries and cultures, which has especially fueled my curiosity and love of learning.
Peyton P.
Grade 12 | Round Square International Conference, Colombia
What I gained most from being a Round Square Delegate was connection. The conference allowed me to connect with students from diverse countries and form lasting friendships with people leading very different lives. Delegates also engaged with locals through community service and with group leaders from the host schools. These connections enabled me to learn from others and gain perspective, which was what ultimately changed me as a person. I developed a deeper appreciation for diverse viewpoints, gained confidence in my ability to contribute to discussions and became further committed to fostering understanding across cultural boundaries.
Published April 2025
2024–25 Issue
