Gillian's Journey: 2025 Global Changemakers Virtual Exchange

Gillian connects with Cindy, a fellow Changemaker, and Hien, an L2L volunteer, during our 2025 Global Changemakers Virtual Exchange.

Who am I?

Hello! My name is Gillian Robertson.

I’m from Richmond ... in the United States, and I’m currently a high school student. I enjoy participating in a variety of activities such as Irish dancing, track, and other sports. I’m always excited to experience new opportunities and challenges, and that mindset is exactly what led me to join the Learn2Link (L2L) program.

Gillian celebrates successfully launching the BBI in the U.S., alongside L2L's co-founders and facilitators.

Why did I link?

I first heard about L2L through my school’s volunteering club, and from the moment it was introduced, I was intrigued. The program sounded unique, meaningful, and unlike anything I had done before. I wanted something that was both fun and educational, and L2L was a once-in-a-lifetime exchange experience that would allow me to volunteer, make an impact, and connect with new people.

What especially drew me in was the idea of forming a global connection. It felt like an incredible chance to meet students my age from another part of the world—Vietnam—and to learn from each other in a way that no textbook or website could offer. Speaking with them allowed me to get an insight into their lives, experiences, and cultures.

Gillian distributes healthy snack packs to children in her community.

What did I learn?

One of the most memorable parts of the program was communicating directly with students in Vietnam. Hearing about their day-to-day lives gave me a completely new perspective on their culture. Even though there were clear cultural differences, we found common ground surprisingly quickly. I realized that despite living thousands of miles apart, we shared many of the same interests, worries, and joys.

Honestly, I was nervous before the first meeting. I was worried about speaking online with people I had never met, unsure about the size of the group or whether conversations would flow easily. But those fears disappeared almost immediately. Seeing so many friendly faces and engaging in activities like the “Take 5” meditation or sharing our weekly highs and lows helped create a warm and welcoming environment. Even virtually, it felt like a true community of connected people—a safe place to be yourself.

One of my favorite activities was sharing photos or videos from our daily lives. It was fun to see how day-to-day moments, such as going to the mall, grabbing a drink, and hanging out with friends, were so similar across our two countries. I loved seeing little glimpses from other people’s worlds, and it was a nice reminder that our connection transcended geography. I also enjoyed sharing moments from my life with the L2L community, like the video I took of a day at an amusement park with my friends.

Gillian and Kayla, a fellow Changemaker, successfully implement the BBI in the U.S.

How have I grown?

Insight 1: Embracing diverse perspectives

Working on our group project—the Bright Bite Initiative (BBI)—taught me how meaningful community impact can be when shaped by diverse perspectives. Our idea was to create snack bags for kids in low-income areas, and we implemented the project in both Vietnam and the U.S. Along the way, we discovered differences between our countries that allowed for certain aspects of the project to be more difficult or easier depending on the location, such as food costs, availability, bulk-buying options, and more. There were a few differences like this that we needed to consider while planning and brainstorming for the project, which made me realize that it is essential to listen to diverse perspectives while planning projects, adapt to local contexts, and think from the perspective of the people we’re serving in each country.

When it was time to carry out the project locally, Kayla and I gave out Bright Bite snack bags at a local farmer's market in Richmond. We decorated the bags with stickers and added extra ones inside as a small surprise. Our goal was to offer support through food, but we also wanted to go a step further by adding little surprises that would bring the kids joy when they opened the bags.

Gillian and Kayla make memorable connections with their local community members.

Insight 2: The transformative power of community

One thing I really appreciated about the project day was being able to see how the community came together to support us. We were stationed next to Chesterfield County Public Schools, which was also distributing free meals to students. Many people from that booth helped promote our program and guided families and children to come by and check out our booth. It was very heartwarming to see everyone working together for a common cause.

Additionally, we took the time to prepare snack bags for children with allergies, like peanut and gluten allergies. This extra step allowed our program to reach more children, and it was touching to see how many families with allergies were extremely appreciative of the support and options. I realized that sometimes the smallest details, such as accommodating dietary needs, can have a huge impact on inclusivity and care.

Insight 3: Connection and friendship go beyond borders

I am deeply grateful for the amazing opportunity to be a part of L2L. For me, it was far more than just a volunteer program—it was an experience that broadened my worldview, deepened my cultural understanding, and strengthened my ability to connect with others. Not only have I learned many new lessons and become more culturally aware, but I have also grown as a person. The mindful moments from “Take 5” meditation helped ground me and relax me, and center myself, which is something I plan to incorporate into my daily routine. Additionally, it was an amazing opportunity to hear from others with different perspectives from mine. This experience has shown me that connection and friendship go beyond borders and that your community can extend beyond the people who live in your city; it can be made up of people all around the world. I will definitely take on many of the new perspectives, ideas, and friendships from L2L and implement them in my daily life!