International summer camp role supports student's dream to work in paediatric medicine

AN ASPIRING young medic is heading to Norway this month to help teach young children about global cooperation and world peace at a CISV International summer camp.  

Sixth Form pupil Anna Sudlow, from Newcastle, has been selected by CISV International - formerly known as Children’s International Summer Villages - to work as a Junior Counsellor on one of its popular ‘village’ programmes.

She will spend almost a month abroad helping to plan and run activities for younger children from all over the world, and hopes the experience will support her future application to study medicine at university.

The 16-year-old has been heavily involved with CISV since being introduced to the global organisation at Dame Allan’s Schools six years ago and subsequently attending a summer camp in Austria.

She said: “I went to my first CISV camp, in Graz, when I was 10 years old and had the most incredible time. I learnt so much and made some great international friends, many of whom I’m still in contact with today.

“I am not exaggerating when I say that it was one of the most pivotal experiences of my childhood and played a key role in helping me become the person I am today.”

CISV International operates in almost 70 countries around the world. It runs overseas programmes to offer young people the opportunity to form intercultural friendships and explore global themes relating to peace and understanding.

Anna, who is studying A Level Chemistry, Biology and History with plans to apply to medical school in September, is an active CISV member in the North East. For the last two years she has sat on the Junior Branch committee and helped organise monthly meetings.

She said: “I loved every minute of being a participant at the camps, so when I turned 14, I wanted to take up a leadership role and help other children have the same experience I did.

“I’ve worked with some fantastic young people, from various backgrounds and cultures, and really enjoyed seeing them fulfil their potential. I’ve helped teach them everything I know about global cooperation, climate change, and world peace.”

Anna successfully applied to be a Junior Counsellor this summer. The sought-after role requires 16 and 17-year-olds to act as a bridge between young participants and adult leaders while on camps.

She explained: “Children from different countries attend in groups of four - two boys and two girls - together with an adult leader. These groups are called delegations and some Junior Counsellors are associated with a delegation, whereas others, like me, are independent. I’ll be the only representative for Great Britain on this camp!

“I am so excited to get involved as this is an international extension of my current role at Junior Branch, which already brings me so much happiness and such a sense of achievement.”

Anna is interested in a future career in paediatrics. She added: “I think this experience will help show my leadership skills and demonstrate a level of responsibility, which would hopefully make my university application stand out and be a talking point at interview.”