author avatar

Ava Rofougaran

Ava is passionate about exploring the world's cultures. She has devoted her time to tutoring elementary school children and volunteering at various women empowerment programs. Ava's interests include politics, theater, acapella singing, and advocacy for LGBTQ and women's rights. After attending the School for Ethics and Global Leadership and the HOBY World Leadership Congress, she is inspired to be an effective member and leader in the global community. Ava aims to contribute and gain perspective during her Global Citizen Year in Senegal.

SUBSCRIBE

From Your Younger Self

Ava Rofougaran

2015-06-19

I am precisely at the point where I began this whole adventure – completing Global Citizen Year tasks all the way from my grandmother’s apartment in Tehran, Iran. I remember sitting right in this room, gathering the documents, organizing my things, preparing some assignments with an overwhelming anticipation for my big trip. Well, I’ve been...

Read More

Travel Expenses

Ava Rofougaran

2015-06-19

Well, that’s it, folks. The journey is done. The trip is over. You have reached your destination. To some, those words may bring relief or a sense of accomplishment that they made it.” To me

Read More

Clockwork

Ava Rofougaran

2015-03-31

One February morning, I woke up to a refreshing scent of untouched nature and a soothing sound of trickling rain drops, in addition to a ghastly rash under the band of my watch. At first, I assumed the rash was one of the many effects of the bug-ridden jungle, as it couldn’t have been the...

Read More

Powdered Milk & Apple Spice Incense

Ava Rofougaran

2014-12-09

At home, it’s common to encounter little inconveniences like running out of milk or an early wake up call on Saturday morning to the voice of NPR’s Scott Simon. It is not common, however, to lose your temper and chuck the empty milk carton at the refrigerator; to storm downstairs in a state of utter...

Read More

Viva La Vida Gringa

Ava Rofougaran

2014-10-13

A month ago, I would have expected to be somewhere in Senegal right now. But what I’ve taken from these few weeks is that things never – ever – turn out the way one expects.  After a busy week of Pre-Departure Training in California, I boarded a plane with four fellow switchers to Quito, Ecuador. Quite a...

Read More

Anticipation

Ava Rofougaran

2014-07-31

I feed off new cultures. I have always been enraptured by the ways people live in other parts of the world. It may seem odd, but when I was little, I begged my parents to send me abroad for the summer. During my travels, I had no homesickness, no separation anxiety, no fear of unfamiliarity—just...

Read More