Have you heard of Expo 2020 Dubai? If you haven’t yet, here is your chance to read up on this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Taking place October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai is a six-month long showcase of the world’s greatest innovation and achievements. There are 192 countries represented, each with their own pavilion in the Expo village constructed specifically for this event. World Expos have been taking place for 170 years and have served as a platform to reveal some of history’s greatest inventions and discoveries, such as the Space Needle and Eiffel Tower. World Expos have been a hub for food innovation as well, including the debut of popcorn and Heinz Ketchup right here at Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition in 1876.
Expo 2020 Dubai is the first Expo to be held in the Middle East and has the most countries ever represented at a World Expo. The USA Pavilion celebrates the United States’ commitment to innovation and opportunity with the phrase “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of the Future.” An integral part of the USA Pavilion team are 75 Youth Ambassadors selected to be the “Face of America” and represent the diversity and dynamism of the United States.
We had the opportunity to speak with two Youth Ambassadors from our region – Alyssa Kristeller from Scranton, PA and Tarek Meah from Bergen County, NJ. They told us about their experience living in an international city like Dubai and the opportunity to have cultural exchange with Expo 2020 Dubai visitors from all over the globe. They continue to meet people from new countries with each passing day. Even among the Youth Ambassadors alone, there are 24 different languages spoken!
“It just makes you realize how big this world is but also how connected we can still be.” -Alyssa
Having studied architecture and environmental design, Tarek explained how the design of each pavilion captures the philosophies and ideals of every represented country. Each country is sharing their narrative with the world under the Expo 2020 Dubai theme of “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” Our Youth Ambassadors touched on the value of learning not only about their global peers, but also about themselves.
“One thing that being here has taught me is to have faith and confidence in what makes me unique.” -Tarek
