Who am I? Why am I behaving this way, and am I aware of it? 

At a certain age, questions about our identity and behavior begin to surface. We spend considerable time seeking answers to these profound queries. This quest for self-discovery inspired the theme of the Summer Intensives - Summer Camps for one hundred Access Scholarship students across three categories: boys, girls, and university students. The theme, “The Masks We Wear,” served as the foundation for these camps.

Carefully designed to address the needs of each student, the camps focused on exploring true identity, understanding the masks we wear, and revealing who we are behind those masks.

Throughout the camps, five guests were invited to share their personal stories with the students, illustrating how these experiences shaped their identities.

• Day One: Understanding the Masks

On the first day, students were introduced to the concept of masks and the various reasons or situations that create them. For example, one might have been told they talk too much as a child, leading them to prefer silence in large groups as an adult.

• Day Two: Sense of Belonging

The second day focused on the sense of belonging and what it means to be part of a group or place. Students communicated more effectively, forming small communities with classmates who shared similar interests.

• Day Three: Connecting the Dots

By the third day, students began to connect the previous days’ lessons with the overarching theme. They started to understand how their experiences and relationships shape their personality, character, and identity.

• Day Four: Establishing True Identity

The fourth and most important day was dedicated to establishing a true sense of identity. Students set their unshaken boundaries and beliefs, realizing that constantly wearing masks is exhausting. They learned the importance of finding a safe community where they can remove their masks and be themselves.

Through these camps, students embarked on a journey of self-discovery, gaining insights into their true selves and understanding the importance of authenticity and belonging.

Access Scholarship Program is a U.S. Department of State funded program through the Education and Cultural Affairs.  This program is being implemented in Irbid by World Associates, Ltd.  As of the date of this article, this program serves 80 girls and boys, and 20 university students.