Leo Chiquillo

I remember the first time I visited NMH. It was in the fall and early in the morning and still foggy. And I was amazed at being away from big buildings and the pollution of my home in New Haven, Connecticut. But the thing is, I learned more about the world in this remote, wooded spot than I ever did in the big city. I had lunch every day with kids from Africa, Hong Kong, Venezuela. Even in the language classes here, you don't just learn to speak Spanish or French or whatever. You learn about the culture and history of that country. You have pen pals overseas. You go to the teacher's house for cooking lessons. NMH just gives you a bigger view.

 

I’ve participated in Model UN, too. It’s an international program in which students take on the roles of UN delegates. NMH’s team is a student-led class and last year I was one of the teachers. At Model UN meetings, we talk about current events, world conflicts, and how the UN can help. Sometimes we travel abroad for competitions. Last year we went to Hong Kong: NMH represented Japan and I worked on water sanitation issues for the World Health Organization. The idea was to help developing countries with solutions that were sustainable but regulated. In fact, my partner and I won an award for Best Delegation, and I was really proud of that.

 

I’m going to study international relations in college. A big part of that decision was Model UN, which some people say is a pretend way of working out world issues. That’s true, except, in those classes and conferences, we actually do solve problems. So, in my eyes, if we’re doing it there, why couldn’t we in the real world?

 

NMH has made me much more globally aware. Yes, it’s educated me to look at all the problems and questions out there, but it’s also trained me how to see the answers.

 

In 2009-10, Leo is  spending a gap-year in Jordan as a fellow at King’s Academy, a boarding school founded by King Abdullah II in 2006.