We would like to spotlight the South Dakota State University Golden Key chapter for being named a 2012-2013 Key Chapter. The South Dakota State University Golden Key chapter held a plethora of events, many were related to the pillar of service. For one initiative, the […]
In conclusion of our blog series on South Africa Travel Grant winners, we would like to share the experience of one more Golden Key member’s involvement in the 2013 South Africa Summit, Susanna Muradyan, an alumnus from the California State University, Sacramento chapter. What did […]
In continuance of our series on the South Africa Travel Grant winners, we would like to highlight Aristides Romero’s experience in Cape Town, South Africa. Aristides is a member at the Farmingdale State College, State University of New York Golden Key chapter.
What did you like best about your visit to South Africa?
I loved the warmth of the people and how I was inspired to work harder for my goals listening to their success stories. Of course, I definitely loved the natural beauty of the host country and city. Cable Mountain was breathtaking!
What was the biggest surprise you encountered on your journey?
That South Africans had more than 10 “official languages”! That was really shocking to me.
What was the most valuable thing you learned at Summit?
The motivation to always push further and go beyond what I think my limits are. Overall, that’s what all the speakers emphasized throughout the Summit.
Did you present or conduct a workshop at the Summit?
No, but I would have loved to present one.
From what you learned at Summit, what will you bring back to your chapter?
A strong sense of motivation to my peers. Lead by example in each activity I perform in a way that will inspire other members to strive for excellence.
Would you recommend attending Summits to other members?
Definitely! This Summit was a remarkable experience that any member would benefit enormously from. I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end!
If you are interested in attending a Golden Key Summit, members can apply for a travel grant for the 2014 International Summit to be held next summer in Boston, Massachusetts from July 31 to August 3, 2014. Winners of the travel grant in North America will receive $500 USD to go towards attending the Summit and winners outside of North America will receive $1,o00 USD.
We would like to feature Golden Key member Derek Zhang’s participation in the 2013 South Africa Summit. Derek, a recently turned alumnus at the University of British Columbia chapter in Vancouver, was awarded a travel grant to attend the Summit and presented a workshop for […]
To continue with South Africa Summit Travel Grant winners, we would like to highlight Christopher Walther’s experience in Cape Town, South Africa. Christopher is a Golden Key Council of Advisors member for Region 1 and the Pace University, Pleasantville Chapter Advisor and Professor. What originally attracted […]
Last year, Golden Key International Honour Society hosted its 8th annual South Africa Summit in Cape Town. Amongst the Golden Key members, alumni, advisors and honorary members in attendance, twenty of them receive travel grants to attend the conference. We would like to highlight these travel grant winners and their experiences while attending the South Africa Summit in Cape Town. 
To kick off our South Africa Summit Travel Grant winners, we like to start with Chinwe Oriji, a Golden Key member from Rutgers University who is currently pursuing his MPhil in Modern Society and Global Transformations at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
What originally attracted you to the South Africa Summit?
I knew attending the summit would help me improve as a leader that serves others since that was the focus of the summit. My ultimate goal in life is to use my life to serve others in need, and one way I strive to do this is through an international prison rehabilitation project that a team of us is planning. The project is called the I.AM.YOU project, and it is based in Cape Town, South Africa. Therefore, I knew attending the summit will help me gain an understanding of how to develop the project and also meet amazing speakers who can provide advice for the project.
Was the culture different from what you’re used to? What was your most memorable experience?
I studied at the University of Cape Town in 2012. There was a bit of a culture shock then in a positive way. I felt welcome. I felt like I belonged. It truly is a beautiful array of cultures in Cape Town. I was very excited to return for the Summit and experience this wonderful environment again.
The most memorable part of the conference was meeting the amazing students that attended the conference. I thrived off of their ambition and desire to serve their community.
Unexpectedly, I met a student who was also chosen as a travel grant winner. He then told me he was going to the University of Cambridge, as well. It was great to know that I was going to already have a friend when I arrived in Cambridge in October. That is what the summit does- it allows students to share ideas, build friendships and leave revived to follow our passion.
What was the most valuable thing you learned about yourself personally and professionally from the conference?
One major thing I learned was that if my life is solely about me than I am not truly living. The speakers at the summit lived a life of service. They had a vision and a purpose. It spurred questions within me like, “How can my life be used to help others? What is my vision and am I following this vision?” That’s when I knew that my desires and passion we’re in the right place. I know my vision to become a professor, work in non-profit and create more community service projects was a life that was meant to be living; a vision that was meant to be pursued.
Would you recommend attending Summits to other members?
I will definitely recommend Golden Key Summits to others! You will be inspired and encouraged to continue to live a life of purpose. You meet amazing people that you can’t meet anywhere else. You will hear the stories of very accomplished individuals that you can connect with. This South Africa Summit was wonderful and I just want to say thank you so much Golden Key for allowing me to attend. It meant so much to me. It truly pushed me to be a better me and pursue my vision. Thank you for believing in me!
Golden Key’s next International Summit will be held in Boston, Massachusetts from July 31 through August 3, 2014. If you are interested in attending, please apply for the Golden Key 2014 International Summit Travel Grant. These travel grants will be awarded to 450 members in the amount of $500 USD for members in North America and $1,000 USD for members outside of North America.
The Golden Key 2013 South African Summit was all about: Lead – Inspire – Grow. More than 200 Golden Key members, chapter officers and chapter advisors, nationally and internationally, attended this event at The River Club Conference Centre in Cape Town over the two days, […]
Essie R. Morris, a resident of Harlingen, Texas, is releasing a publication of her own originally written poetry called My Poetic Pleasures. She believes this book can serve as “food for souls of the world.” Essie is a member of Golden Key; she joined while […]
We would like to spotlight the University of New Hampshire chapter for being named a Key Chapter for the 2012-2013 academic year.
Of the numerous events that the University of New Hampshire chapter held, some of their more successful occasions were speaker meetings held to educate the members in different subjects.
During one of these speaker meetings, the chapter had the director of the university alumni center present the resources available to the members upon their graduation, as well as the importance of staying connected. In a separate speaker meeting, one of the university’s academic counselors for the Graduate School presented on the value and significance of a graduate degree. He answered questions to clarify common misconceptions of a graduate school education and handed out pamphlets to serve as a timeline so the members have an idea of the preparation needed to apply. The members, especially the juniors and seniors, found these meetings to inspiring and informative in that they learned about the benefits not typically found in generic admissions pamphlets.
Perhaps the largest event hosted by the University of New Hampshire Golden Key chapter, the Golden Talent Show is a collaborative effort with another student organization on the campus to raise money for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
This is a non-profit organization for children and their families who are battling pediatric brain tumors. They also pair the children with high school and college athletes who provide the children with love and support. In order to raise money for the event, the chapter collected tickets, had raffle prizes and prepared baked goods. This was the first annual occurrence of the event, and the chapter found members to be more involved in this event due to the incredible meaning the event has.
Congratulations to the University of New Hampshire chapter for their hard work and effort to improve their community, as well as being named a Key Chapter!
We would like to spotlight the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez chapter for being named a Key Chapter for the 2012-2013 academic year. One event that the Universidad de Puerto Rico, Mayaguez chapter held was a week-long Golden Key booth in which merchandise, such as […]
GK SCHOLARSHIPS: Ather Sharif
GK Scholarships: Logan Thornton