Dominican Youth Selected for World Tour

Up with People, the international leadership educational and cultural programme has selected Dominican youth, Shenel Jolly to join Cast B 2013 for their world tour that begins July 15 2013.

Jolly is a current student at the University of Trinidad & Tobago pursuing a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Performing Arts and Education.

Each year hundreds of young men and women between the ages of 17-29 are enrolled as exchange students to participate in the international, educational and cultural programme for a one or two semester experience that visits diverse communities on a multi-continent tour.

"During the past four decades, the 20,000 participants who have travelled in Up with People have gone on to become enthusiastic leaders in their communities and the world," said Colleen Eastman, Up with People's Manager of Enrolment. "Equipped with the life skills and broad perspectives learned 'on the road,' they have made tremendous differences through a wide variety of diverse career and life choices and have truly become global citizens."

"Having outstandingly met the criteria for acceptance, we are pleased and excited to have Shenel Jolly who will represent Dominica, and the Caribbean on our next world tour," she added.

Although musical talent and performance ability are welcome, individual selection is based on a personal interview rather than an audition. Important consideration is given to a candidate's character and maturity.

"Oh mensana in copore sano is all I can say. I am thrilled to have been accepted and even more anxious and excited to now have the responsibility of representing my country and my region on this world tour as we together seek to bring world peace through global community service, education, cultural exchange and performance! I just want to make my people and my country proud –and my school of course. I call on them all for support!" was what Jolly had to say in her interview. She also disclosed that she was from a very humble community called Belles village but has lived in Massacre village for most of her life.

Traveling with Up With People comes at an expensive cost to cover tuition (students will be engaged in college/university courses while on tour), travel and living expenses. This money is expected to be raised by students through fund raising drives held in their communities, sponsorships and grants.

Jolly was the only student accepted from the Caribbean thus far for the upcoming July 2013 semester.