Thanks SUSI Program

By Emilio Zuniga Hernandez, Nicaragua

I would like to describe my SUSI experience in three parts: The city of Boston, the academic experience and SUSI participants.

I am honored to be part of the 2024 Study of the U.S. Institutes for Scholars of U.S Economics and Sustainable Development which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute for Training and Development which is the host institution, and based in Boston, Massachusetts.  

First, we received a warm welcome since our first day, the first activity we did was a “Duck Tour” which are tours that take place on purpose-built amphibious tour buses that consist in a fully narrated, historic tour across Boston, I learned a lot about the city and its importance for the history of the United States of America, this was an incredible experience, I fell in love with the city and a lot of curiosity to continue learning by visiting more places like museums, universities and culture. I am from Nicaragua, the city I was born and still living is Leon, which it is known as “la Ciudad Universitaria”, in English means “The City of Universities”, because we host the largest and oldest university in the country, we also have museums and a lot of culture, therefore Boston reminds me of Leon city, so I feel at home. If you are passionate with culture, history and education, Boston is for you.

Second, I would to like to describe the academic program, which it has been an enhancing experience for my professional development. The program has been designed in accordance to our professional backgrounds: economics, finance, governance.  We have also learned about the importance of democracy, and the U.S. education system, among other topics. We have discussed and shared ideas with great professors of prestigious universities with high quality material and time to share our experiences with them. The program also included the visits to top universities in the world, and we were honored to meet their professors an have a session class with them. I never imagined I would receive a session at Havard University’s Business School, Babson College, and MIT. I am still living this dream.

Additionally, I had the wonderful chance to serve the community, not only once but twice. I was able to volunteer at a local community meal program. It is so important to help homeless people, seeing them made me realize how blessed I have been in my life because I have a home and a family with me. I am grateful to SUSI for this opportunity.

Third and certainly not the least important, I want to describe the participants of the program. SUSI has provided me the opportunity to meet great professionals across the world. This is an unique opportunity not only to meet professionals and hear about their institutions, but also to create new bonds of friendship and further collaborations with them and our institutions. I will never forget this group of professionals as I will never forget the ITD professionals who were with us every day.

I finish by expressing my gratitude to SUSI Program: the U.S. Department of State, University of Montana and the Institute for Training and Development. I recognize the behind of this program there is an incredible staff that have worked hard in order to bring us one of the most enhancing experiences in our life.  Thanks SUSI Program.