The Explorer Vol.3 Issue 1: Finding Similarities in Our Differences

THE

EXPLORER FINDING SIMILARITIES IN OUR DIFFERENCES

EXPLORING FRANCE AND ATHINA LECLERC

TRAVERSING THE SINGAPOREAN EXPERIENCE

EXPLORING INDONESIA AND THORIQ

CONTENTS pg.2 A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

ISSUE THEME: FINDING SIMILARITIES IN OUR DIFFERENCES

A thank you for reading. What is The Explorer? What does this magazine cover?

What is the theme for this issue? How did we explore the theme? What did we ask?

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EXPLORING FRANCE AND ATHINA LECLERC

EXPLORING SINGAPORE AND TONGTONG

how has living in Argentina shaped Athina?

how has living in Singapore shaped Tongtong?

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EXPLORING INDONESIA AND THORIQ

EXPLORING ARGENTINA AND SOFI

how has living in Indonesia shaped Thoriq?

how has living in Argentina shaped Sofi?

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EXPLORING SOUTH SUDAN AND FLAVIA

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS accepting ideas for the next issue’s theme.

how has living in South Sudan shaped Flavia?

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IN CLOSING

IMAGE CREDITS

contributors that make Explorer possible.

citations for all images used in this issue.

THE EXPLORER | PAGE 1

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EDITOR'S NOTE

OUR THEME: FINDING SIMILARITIES IN OUR DIFFERENCES The Theme This year, the Explorer is proud to announce that we will be sharing new multicultural perspectives through interviews with students and figures from more than ten countries in the third volume of the Explorer! In light of this idea, BranchOut! Explorer presents the theme of this issue: Finding Similarities in Our Differences.

This volume showcases the unique perspectives of individuals across the world, from Indonesia to Argentina to South Sudan, in an effort to share our ideas to connect us across the world.

The Purpose

David Cao Project Manager & Editor Brian Zhou, Editor-in-chief

THE EXPLORER | PAGE 2

The Explorer's mission is to explore various topics that connect all of humanity regardless of culture, border, or age. The articles shared in this magazine reflect a snapshot of the writers at a certain time, aggregating their stories and perspectives from around the world. We hope that as you read this issue, you take a moment to reflect on your own experiences, and think on the things that all of us around the world have in common.

We asked Athina about her life in france. Her answer?

EXPLORING FRANCE AND ATHINA LECLERC Athina Leclerc lives in Northern France, a region known for its diverse landscapes, rich history, and cultural heritage. Furthermore, it is home to the Eiffel Tower, unique cuisine, and vibrant culture. At the age of fifteen, Athina's world revolves around her passions, her multicultural identity, and her dreams.

A Multicultural Identity Born and raised in France, Athina finds herself embracing not just her French roots but also her Chinese identity. She possesses a unique Chinese mindset that sets her apart from her peers. Alongside her love for dancing, chess, judo, tennis, violin, and pingpong, Athina cherishes her connection to her Chinese heritage.

international matters from a Chinese standpoint, showing her care and concern for the world beyond her own.

Chasing the Dream One of Athina's biggest passions is her desire to become a veterinarian. Her love for animals shines through, driving her to embark on a farm internship. During this experience, Athina noticed a lack of veterinarians catering to farm animals, a situation she hopes to change in the future. Her dream to help animals in rural settings fuels her determination to make a difference.

Overcoming Challenges Like any journey, Athina's life is not without its challenges. Quizzes and tests have posed difficulties, urging her to study more diligently and review independently.

However, these hurdles have taught her the value of perseverance and the importance of self-discipline.

Family Traditions and Values

(“FRANCE - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE”)

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Athina's family holds the Chinese Spring Festival dearer than the French Christmas.

Even though the Chinese New Year atmosphere is not prevalent in France, Athina and her family celebrate it with full enthusiasm, honoring their cherished traditions. This cultural bond also leads Athina to ponder on political and

We asked Athina about her life in france. Her answer?

A Source of Inspiration

Unrelated Triumphs

In Athina's life, one person has had the greatest impact - her great-grandmother who holds a special place in her heart.

Caring and strong, her greatgrandmother's qualities inspire Athina to be courageous and resilient, shaping her character and values.

Athina's achievements aren't limited to academics. Her passion for ping-pong has taught her valuable life lessons that extend beyond the classroom. Learning sportsmanship through the sport has made her a resilient individual who doesn't give up until she achieves what she sets her mind to. This newfound tenacity has also seeped into her academic pursuits, transforming her into a more goaloriented student who knows how to set and achieve targets.

The Power of Advice The best advice Athina ever received was to be more confident. This valuable piece of wisdom has been a guiding light, helping her face challenges with a positive mindset and tackle new opportunities with courage. Given the chance to make a wish that could change the world for the better, Athina's heart leans towards a noble cause. She dreams of eliminating all drug traffickers, as she sees the detrimental effects of drugs becoming more prevalent in France. Her wish arises from a genuine concern for her peers and the future of her country, as some of her classmates even joke about engaging in drug-related activities for financial gain.

Journey through Time Intrigued by history, Athina's timetraveling dreams take her back to the 17th century. She envisions it as a fascinating era, and her interest in history fuels her curiosity about the events and cultures that shaped the world. As Athina Leclerc navigates the diverse landscapes of France, her multicultural identity, passions, and dreams shape her journey.

With determination and a caring heart, she stands as an inspiration, ready to make a positive impact on her world and beyond.

Lessons from Defeat

(“FLAG OF FRANCE”)

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If Athina could change one day in her life, it would be June 24th, 2020. On that day, she experienced a disappointing performance at a table tennis tournament.

However, rather than dwell on the defeat, she used it as a catalyst for growth. Athina became more determined to improve her skills and work even harder to achieve her goals.

We asked tongtong about her life in singapore. her answer?

EXPLORING SINGAPORE AND TONGTONG Background of Singapore Singapore is a multi-racial and multicultural country, with a population of over 5 million people who all have unique cultural backgrounds and identities.

Although Singapore has many cultural differences, they all share common values and cultural norms that bring together this country.

The common values in Singapore are family, respecting elders, and academic success. Family is a central part of Singapore’s culture because the family is the basic unit of society and respect for the elders is of great importance. The group is regarded as more important than the individual, and social hierarchy is more strictly observed than in the West, with respect and deference shown to the elderly. Education is also crucial to Singapore because individuals are encouraged to strive for excellence.

Education is highly valued with a strong emphasis on academic success.

Singaporeans heavily value punctuality and consider it a sign of respect for others’ schedules. Additionally, it is rude to be late to an event, so it is important to be on time with respect to others. Lastly, Singaporeans adhere to strict social etiquette. Public spaces are kept clean and orderly, as there are strict laws regarding littering, chewing gum, and other public nuisances. Because of its laws, Singapore is a very clean country with little to no trash in public.

Tongtong’s Perspective We asked Tongtong, “Who was the person who had the greatest impact on you and how did you grow from knowing them?”

Tongtong replied: “I admire my parents because they have really good qualities like being nice, having good time management, and they're good at socializing with other people, so I picked up some of their habits. Like my parents are nice, so I'm nice to others.” Her relationship with her family and how she picks up their traits goes to show that family is a key part of Singapore’s cultural values.

(KOLCZAK)

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Common etiquette in Singapore includes politeness, punctuality, and no littering. In Singapore, politeness is shown throughout the country through the interactions between people. Being polite is a common courtesy and is something everyone should follow in life like punctuality.

We asked tongtong about her life in singapore. her answer?

When asked by the Explorer team about her hobbies, Tongtong described the how arts contribute to her identity and background. Tongtong elaborated, "looking at the progress is interesting to see how different artists go about making their pieces. I like watching them for inspiration and literature. That's how you can use something that isn't visual to make someone visualize something, which is very cool”. Her passion for art and literature highlights the importance of education in Singapore, as art has taught her to be patient and diligent in finishing an art piece.

(“SINGAPOREAN ART”)

(“FLAG OF SINGAPORE”)

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Lastly, as education is important, it can be anxiety-inducing; especially with public speaking and presentations. Our interviewee gave us insight on her best advice for school, as she states to “live with no regrets. This was taught to me by my older friends when I was young and I apply it when I'm getting ready to do my presentations and speeches. And if I'm going to do a speech, I just ask myself: Am I ready? Do I regret this? No, I think I'm ready, and I just go on.” Stage fright gets the best of everybody, but her advice helped her countless times during her presentations and speeches. Tongtong’s self-reassurance helps her push through the anxiety of speaking in front of a whole class, which shows her resilience and determination as a high school student and a Singaporean citizen.

The interview with Tongtong allowed us to take a look at Singapore’s culture with family values and education. Additionally she shared her own advice that helped her throughout school. Although Singapore has many differences and similarities to other cultures, it allows us to expand our viewpoints and gain advice for ourselves.

We asked Thoriq about his life in indonesia. his answer?

Background of Indonesia

Thoriq’s Perspective

Indonesia, an archipelago in South Eastern Asia, is a country whose capital and largest city is Jakarta. The country has over 700 different languages, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries on the earth. In addition, it is also a religiously diverse country, with more than 6 different religions practiced in the archipelago, including Islam and Buddhism. The state ideology is called Pancasila, literally referring to its founding basis on the five precepts of Buddhism.

The BranchOut! Explorer team interviewed Thoriq, a 19 year old medical student from Indonesia, to learn more about the culture in Indonesia. The team started the interview by asking for a background story that is essential to his identity. In response, he told us about his experiences in a boarding school where he was separated from his parents and his phone, which fundamentally helped to shape his independence and self-discipline.

In addition, Thoriq learned to value his phone more after a month without it, and his appreciation continues even when he is currently allowed to use his phone freely.

More importantly, he believes the strict control of phones positively influenced his relationship with friends. Thoriq explained “[Without a phone], I was able to spend time with my friends and became closer with my friends.” He appreciates friendship more, enjoying the pleasant time he spends with friends, and prefers communication instead of using a phone. He elaborates these ideas by stating,

Like all countries in the world, there are cultural norms that must be adhered to in Indonesia. For example, it is important to respect elders, usually by putting effort into being polite, such as bowing before them. People also should not use their left hand, as it is the hand people usually use for going to the bathroom. As 90% of the population is Muslim, people should cover up and wear less revealing clothing when going out, but this differs island to island.

Another cultural value that anchors Indonesia is its strong devotion to justice, as they believe that every action people take should be aimed at increasing the prosperity for everyone.

“Now everyone is holding their own phone and busy with their own phone even if they’re next to each other.”

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Exploring Indonesia and Thoriq

Another value that is important to Indonesia is its diversity and inclusiveness to everyone. The government upholds their commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, as their national motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, translating to “unity in diversity”.

We asked Thoriq about his life in indonesia. his answer?

This thought highlights how Thoriq strongly values the interactions between people, which is crucial to his personal identity as well as Indonesian culture.

(“FLAG OF INDONESIA”)

(“INDONESIA”)

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In addition to his appreciation for friendship, the experience at boarding school also sparked Thoriq’s passion for social participation and volunteering activities. When an Explorer Team Member asked him to describe something he’s passionate about and why it is appealing to him, his response was that he enjoyed volunteering with a friend by checking the health of those who are homeless. His reasoning for why it was appealing was that he enjoyed giving back to the community. These social activities started as a requirement for the boarding school when he was in junior high and gradually became his own passion. Every semester, the class would gather donations to buy food for the people in need in the surrounding area. His experience indicates that teenagers in Indonesia are exposed to social engagements in their education, which echoes with the central norm of prosperity of all and public good in Indonesian culture. His response shows that he is very rooted in a sense of justice and prosperity in all, which is an example of their value of strong devotion to justice in action.

Aside from volunteering, Thoriq is also passionate about traveling, exposing himself to special cultures in every place he visits. He has been to around 10 places, mostly within Indonesia. When we asked him to describe some specific stories during his trips, he expressed his love for Komodo Island, also known as Dragon Island since it is the only place in the world where Komodo Dragons exist. Thoriq told us excitedly about how Komodo dragons like to chase their food and are able to smell blood from 2 kilometers away.

Thoriq said the island was like heaven for him and is extremely beautiful. He is currently on his way to Banyuwangi in East Java, where he could visit the Kawah Ijen Volcano and admire the unique blue fire in the early morning before sunrise.

We asked sofi about her life in argentina. her answer?

Exploring Argentina and Sofi Background of Argentina Being the eighth largest country in the world by area, the South American country Argentina is filled with diverse landscapes, including forests, deserts, mountains and kilometers of ocean shoreline, as well as diverse people, encompassing Eurocentric customs blended with Latin American and indigenous traditions. Although Argentines tend to be more individualistic in comparison to their counterparts in neighboring countries, family networks and support continue to act as a core part of Argentine society.

Sofi‘s Perspective

Another notable facet of Sofi’s life is her passion for languages. She expressed

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With Argentine culture in mind, our [BranchOut! Explorer] team interviewed an Argentine middle schooler, Sofi, where we gained valuable insights into her life, experiences, and aspirations as a 13-yearold girl. As Sofi shared her story, it became evident that her life in Argentina both resembles and differs in several significant ways from the typical American experience. Still, from her family dynamics to her passions and dreams, Sofi’s journey reveals cultural nuances that set Argentina apart from the United States.

One of the key aspects that distinguish Sofi’s experience in Argentina is her family structure. Sofi talked about having a younger brother who has impacted her life in many ways. While sibling relationships are universal, the dynamics can vary across cultures. In Argentina, it is evident that family ties play a crucial role in shaping one's identity. Sofi’s initial reaction to her brother's arrival showcased the sense of joy and excitement that comes with welcoming a new family member into an Argentine household. That said, Sofi’s honest admission of feeling some frustration and jealousy towards her younger brother highlights the challenges of adapting to changes in family dynamics. When asked about the challenges in her life, she responded, “...having a brother is like a challenge…sometimes I was furious of him because he was spending more time with my mother when he was a baby.” Like in many cultures, the arrival of a new sibling can bring mixed emotions that may harbor feelings of competition or jealousy among older siblings. Still, regardless of such mixed emotions, the importance of family shines in Sofi, immediately speaking of her brother at the start of the interview and reporting how much she loves him. Family continues to play a key role in shaping Sofi’s adolescence.

We asked sofi about her life in argentina. her answer?

(“WORLD CUP HOMECOMING”)

immense enthusiasm for learning English and shared her desire to explore other languages in the future. This interest in language acquisition highlights the importance of bilingualism and multilingualism in Argentina, where English is often taught in schools and considered a valuable skill for personal and professional growth. In comparison, bilingualism is not as widespread in the U.S. as in Argentina.

(“FLAG OF ARGENTINA”)

(“ARGENTINA - UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE”)

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The sports culture in Argentina is also a prevalent aspect of the country’s culture.

In America, sports can play a crucial role in building communities and friendships, but the specific sports and their popularity differ in comparison. Soccer, for instance, is highly regarded in Argentina and deeply embedded in the national culture, whereas American football, basketball, and baseball are much more dominant in the United States. Sofi’s interest in playing volleyball has introduced her to a supportive and kind Argentine community. Volleyball has become an avenue for her to connect with others who share similar interests, reinforcing the sense of community and camaraderie among Argentinians.

Furthermore, Sophie also shared her positive experiences with her teachers, emphasizing their kindness and dedication to their students. The relationship between students and teachers is essential in Argentine education, with teachers often seen as mentors and sources of inspiration. When acknowledging her future after school, Sofi reports her dream of becoming a lawyer to promote equality and help people, desiring to make a positive impact on society. Her aspiration aligns with the notion of justice and social change, which resonates with many individuals worldwide, regardless of their cultural background.

We asked Flavia about south sudan. her answer?

Exploring South Sudan and Flavia Background of South Sudan South Sudan is a prominent country in Africa with a population of about 11 million people. South Sudan was, until very recently, a part of Sudan. However, due to the vast differences in cultures between the North and the South, including the fact that the people of North Sudan were mainly Muslim with an Arab cultural influence, Sudan split into South Sudan and North Sudan. Sudan also happens to be a multilingual country, with over 60 languages spoken and it’s common for people there to be bilingual or trilingual.

The country of South Sudan originally received their independence in 1956, however, problems quickly arose for the South Sudanese people, as Northern Muslim leaders took firm control of the government and held onto it for over 50 years. South Sudan finally regained their independence in 2011.

South Sudan also has their own customs for visitation. When visiting a South Sudanese household, it’s encouraged and appreciated to bring small gifts. It’s considered a kind gesture, and it’s also encouraged to bring gifts for any children.

It’s considered insulting to South Sudanese when a person who visits only stays for a short duration, or declines food.

It could be viewed as an insult to the host.

It’s also common for men and women to socialize together or separately during visits. Overall, South Sudan has an incredibly unique culture.

Flavia’s Perspective Recently, the BranchOut! Explorer team received a tremendous opportunity to interview Flavia. She is a student who suffered the loss of both of her parents and had to persevere through her life as orphans. She attends St. Andrew’s college in Mayo, and spoke to us about the emotional and financial distress she’s suffered through. It was a special chance to get to interview Flavia and learn about her culture and life.

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The people of South Sudan have their own very unique African culture. For example, like many other ethnic groups, the people of South Sudan show much respect towards their elders. It’s also considered inappropriate in South Sudan to use your left hand. Similar to other cultures, music is an integral part of South Sudanese culture

In South Sudan, music, usually drumming, and dance are vital in maintaining cultural ties and helping bond communities together. In South Sudan, adulthood is also very fluid, and there is no set age for adulthood (unlike the United States, which has a legal age of 18 years for adulthood).

However, a person isn’t considered a full adult until marriage.

We asked Flavia about south sudan. her answer?

In the interview, Flavia put an emphasis on looking out and helping other people, as well as a determination to find success for herself. She mentioned that her family meetings helped give her motivation to find success, as Flavia said “the guidance offered in these meetings also helps me to live a disciplined life, exercise self control as a teenager and be able to respect others and help the vulnerable in the community.”

When asked to make one wish to change the world, Flavia said she would “change the way some of the medical workers handle patients in the different hospitals by promoting gentleness towards patience.”

Looking at the life of Flavia is an eyeopening experience. It allows us to see the hardships that people around the world have to face. Flavia is a persistent teen who is trying to overcome life’s barriers and achieve success through education.

(“FLAG OF SOUTH SUDAN”)

Flavia said that her greatest influence upon her life was her mother. Flavia stated that her mother was always by her side and that “she has always inspired me to see God’s hands in every situation.” (“SOUTH SUDAN - US DEPARTMENT OF STATE”)

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In order to combine her career with her passion for helping people, Flavia wants to be a nurse: “to show love and serve sick people with patience. Because of the charity work I usually do in the community, especially by helping the sick and old people, they often pray for me that God may bless me and lead me to success in life through my education.”

Unfortunately, Flavia still encounters problems with receiving basic needs.

While she has a scholarship at the university she attends, it doesn’t cover the costs of all of her necessary supplies.

Flavia said that due to the lack of financial support, she runs various small businesses to help cover the rest of the costs of her education, as well as personal items.

She emphasized that her mother was a key person in her finding success. She also said that the greatest piece of advice that she ever received was when the principal of St. Andrew’s college told her to focus on where she’s from. Flavia has used that piece of advice as motivation to help her find success in her life.

Call For Submissions Issue 2: Your Choice!

We have covered various themes, from Growing Up to Coming of Age and now, Finding Similarities in Our Differences. This time around, we invite YOU to provide any suggestions for the themes of future issues! If you would like a certain theme to be addressed on a future issue or if you have any questions, feel free to email theexplorer@velbranchout.org. Once the theme is decided, we will notify everyone on the BranchOut! Explorer Magazine website: https://www.velbranchout.org/explorer.

Some potential ideas include: What will our world in the future look like?

What is the greatest thing not yet invented?

Where will the place you live be in ten years? In twenty? In a century?

Where you will be in the future?

How you will shape the world?

How your past has shaped your future?

Submission Guidelines Submission Requirements: Please email theexplorer@velbranchout.org with a heads up if you are working on a work for the Explorer. We would love to discuss what you are writing with you and are open to reading your works if you encounter roadblocks.

Your writing should be 1000 - 1500 words for long-form content. Short-form articles of 600-800 words are also accepted.

THE EXPLORER | PAGE 13

Deadlines: For Issue 2, the deadline for the final submission of completed work is before midnight EST on February 10th, 2024.

For Issue 3, the deadline for the final submission of completed work is before midnight EST on June 20th, 2024.

We accept case-by-case submissions after the deadline. If this applies to you or you anticipate needing an extension, email us at theexplorer@velbranchout.org Email all final submissions to theexplorer@velbranchout.org

IN CLOSING The Contributors THE EXPLORER LEADERS Project Manager & Editor: David Cao, 12th grader at Thomas Jefferson HS, United States Editor-in-chief: Brian Zhou, 12th grader at Thomas Jefferson HS, United States Journalism Lead: Kai Bian, 12th grader at McLean HS, United States US Journalism Lead: David Sheng, 11th grader at McLean HS, United States CA Journalism Lead: Sophia Wang, sophomore at UToronto, Canada CN Journalism Lead: Andrea Ma, China Managing Editor: Phoebe Wang, 11th grader at Dominion HS, United States Director of Outreach: Emma Song, college freshman Assistant Director: Rachel Ni, 12th grader at Centennial HS, United States Assistant Director: Sophie Zhang, 11th grader at McLean HS, United States

TEAM MEMBERS Journalism: Yantang Li, Clemence Zou, Zimo Tu, Allison Cheng Outreach: Joshua Cheng, Caroline Su, Mabelle Liu, Jessy Lin, Stephen Lin

Summer Leads: David Cao, Ronny Gattuso, Elizabeth Li

THE EXPLORER | PAGE 14

Publication: Zetong Bian, Alex Gan, Clement Song

Image Credits

THE EXPLORER | PAGE 15

1. “France - United States Department of State.” United States Department of State, 23 Aug. 2023, www.state.gov/countriesareas/france/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

2. “Flag of France | History & Meaning | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-France.

Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

3. Kolczak, Amy. “This City Aims to Be the World’s Greenest.”

Environment, National Geographic, 28 Feb. 2017, www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/green-urbanlandscape-cities-Singapore. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

4. https://www.facebook.com/artworksSG. “The Expert’s Guide to Fine Art Investment.” Fine Art Advisory & Brokerage | Singapore, Hong Kong | Art Works, 2021, www.artworks.com.sg/news/local-singaporean-artists-youshould-know/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023. ‌ 5. “Flag of Singapore | Meaning, Colors & History | Britannica.”

Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/flagof-Singapore. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

6. “Flag of Indonesia | Meaning, History & Colors | Britannica.”

Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/flagof-Indonesia. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

7. “Indonesia Ministry of Tourism.” Indonesia.travel, 2023, www.indonesia.travel/tw/en/home. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

8. “World Cup Homecoming Brings Argentina to a Halt.” The New York Times, 2023, www.nytimes.com/2022/12/20/world/americas/argentinamessi-world-cup-parade-buenos-aires.html. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

9. “Flag of Argentina | History, Design & Colors | Britannica.”

Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/flagof-Argentina. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

1 0 .“ A r g e n t i n a - U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f S t a t e . ” U n i t e d S t a t e s Department of State, 22 Aug. 2023, www.state.gov/countriesareas/argentina/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

1 1 .“ F l a g o f S o u t h S u d a n | D e s i g n , C o l o r s , M e a n i n g | B r i t a n n i c a . ” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/topic/flagof-South-Sudan. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

1 2 .“ S o u t h S u d a n - U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f S t a t e . ” U n i t e d States Department of State, 24 Aug. 2023, www.state.gov/countries-areas/south-sudan/. Accessed 7 Nov. 2023.

BRANCHOUT! BranchOut! is a youth community outreach program based in the Washington DC metropolitan area founded in 2015 that sponsors The Explorer. It was founded to answer the call to action by former Dean Jim Ryan of the Harvard Graduate School of Education in late 2015. Our founder, HGSE graduate Dr. Wu, answered the call to action. In a few short months, BranchOut! was created to bridge achievement and cultural gaps in the current system.

While the program began in two states with 20 students, it has since branched out to more than 150 mentors annually with volunteers from all around the United States and the world. Over the years, BranchOut! expanded to provide targeted educational services at credit recovery programs in multiple counties and states, create software to meet academic needs, and build societal awareness of modern issues through research and journalism.

Currently, BranchOut! mentors continue to volunteer at credit recovery programs, promote STEM outreach to a K-8 audience, host career/college fairs, and share the stories of teens from around the world. BranchOut! continues to develop software, with projects aiming to connect the AAPI community against the rise of anti-Asian hate and uplifting mental health.

At BranchOut!, learning is two-sided; mentors gain experience in branching out and taking the initiative to lead. Current and former mentors credit BranchOut! as the first place where they learned to take the initiative.

velbranchout.org apply for the Boston chapter now at: velbranchout.org/bostonapplication

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BranchOut!'s programs have been recognized by multiple congress members and have won the Congressional App Challenge for its work in promoting education accessibility through technology.