Vermont’s Expo 2020 Youth Ambassador Spotlight: Katrina Khosravi
Who is Katrina Khosravi?
From South Burlington, Vermont, Katrina Khosravi is in her second year at McGill University studying cognitive science. She has always had an interest in science and cultural diplomacy thanks to her multi-cultural family and traveling the world since a young age. Katrina spent the summer working as an intern at the Stein Lian Laboratory at the University of Vermont, College of Medicine and hopes to pursue an international career in sciences while continuing to learn more about the world around her.
Who are Expo 2020 Youth Ambassadors?
USA Pavilion Youth Ambassadors are young U.S. citizens ages 18 to 29 who will serve as cultural representatives and exhibit guides at Expo 2020 Dubai – the first World’s Fair to be held in the Middle East. Between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, they will spend three-to-six months in Dubai as part of a unique cultural exchange program interacting with U.S. and international officials, sharing knowledge on Pavilion exhibits and U.S. history and culture, and building people-to-people connections with millions of Expo visitors from all over the world.
Q&A with Katrina
Why did you apply to be a Youth Ambassador at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai? How did your background in Vermont impact your decision?
“I applied to be a USA Pavilion Youth Ambassador at Expo 2020 Dubai because I wanted to gain international experience and become more culturally competent. Expo 2020 Dubai offers a continuous learning and networking environment that will help shape me into a global citizen. I wanted to push myself to work in a cross-culture environment and make connections with other peers from around the world. I believe this experience will enhance my understanding of the beautiful diversity the world has to offer. With a rather homogeneous population in Vermont, I always tried to immerse myself in international opportunities to fulfill my curiosity of learning more about other cultures, and to develop an appreciation for our differences. Upon returning from Dubai, I hope to share my experiences with my peers in Vermont, and bring more cultural awareness to my community.”
What are you most looking forward to at Expo 2020 in Dubai?
“This is a hard one, because I’m excited about everything. I would say I’m most excited about becoming more culturally aware and taking part in cultural diplomacy. I’m also looking forward to meeting visitors and performers from around the world and engaging in discussions about international health care and medicine. I hope to learn more about how technology and sustainability will play a role in the future of medicine. However, most importantly, I’m looking forward to taking part in a global event celebrating humanity’s greatest innovations.”
What do you hope to gain from your experience as a Youth Ambassador? How will you use this experience in your future endeavors?
“This incredible opportunity will challenge me to become more socially-aware, enhance my interpersonal skills, and allow me to connect with international peers while discovering the breathtaking beauty our world has to offer. I hope that by taking part in Expo 2020 Dubai, I will be able to discover my niche interest in health sciences to pursue a career in international health care.”
If you were to describe Vermont to someone who has never been here, how would you describe it?
“Vermont is the Green Mountain State. People from around the world visit Vermont for its breathtaking, picturesque landscapes year-round. Its four seasons capture everyone’s favorite activity, from swimming in the summer, to hiking scenic trails in the fall, skiing in the winter, and visiting farmer’s markets in the spring. Vermont is famously known for its renowned cheddar cheese, the ever-popular Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and its finest quality maple syrup. It is a serene state that may be small in numbers, but mighty in hospitality.”
