UTS BUILD : Leadership Symposium and volunteering in Thailand

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity by UTS BUILD and Humanitarian Affairs Asia to be a part of the 11th University Scholar Leaders Symposium from AUG 1st-4th at the United Nations Conference Center Bangkok. 

Where to start? These four days were so overwhelming with mixed emotions that putting it all into words would be so difficult but let’s give it a try: 453 delegates from 46 countries are united by their passion for being the change and bringing an impact-breaking all cultural barriers and coming together. Even though I didn’t get to talk to all of them, I was stunned by everyone’s passion and desire to see a better future and work towards their goal. The insightful conversations I’ve had throughout the symposium have helped me to pause, reflect, think, reshape and target the possible ways I can contribute my bit towards my community and this world. After all, as Geraldine Cox says-“The greatest currency we will ever possess is how you affect others in the world, so always remember to be kind”.

I feel so obliged to have heard a few of the best speakers I’ve ever met in person – Sam Cawthorn, Felipe Queipo, and Sherina Sham, to name a few and each session had a major takeaway for me, a story that touched my heart deeply, and a few challenged my thoughts as well. Hearing those mind-boggling speeches was a mix and blend of so many emotions – sadness, satisfaction, frustration, compassion, fear, happiness etc.; and even though I’d say we have all laughed and cried together, these stories have embedded in our hearts and given us the strength to start our social impact journey with immense courage and guidance which was much needed. 

During Kindness Day, I volunteered at the Suroutmaijaroen School on the outskirts of Bangkok and spent the day painting classrooms and interacting with those lovely schoolchildren. Even though it was a very small school with around 300 students and 20 teachers, they gave their hundred percent to welcome us into their community with the limited resources they had, and this made me realize gratitude is the best attitude. For those of you who hold yourself back, thinking that you don’t have enough skills/time/money to give back to the community, my friends- In life, it is not what we have but what we do with what we have that brings a positive impact, so do, it is only that one single step which will determine the rest of your life. 

These four days were one of the best experiences I have ever had, and when I stepped out of the conference Center, I took with me loads of memories but, most importantly, hope for a better future. I was not at all uncertain about it anymore; these young emerging changemakers inspired me immensely, and I feel so grateful to have been a part of this marvelous symposium. Thank you, UTS BUILD, for giving me this extraordinary opportunity, HAA, and my fellow delegates – all this wouldn’t have been possible without y’all.

Shreya Gaur
Faculty of Science
University Scholar Leaders Symposium in Thailand
BUILD Global Ambassador Grant recipient