It was an honour and a privilege for me to have been nominated to participate in the International Visitors Leadership Programme (IVLP) "Not too Young to Run: Engaging Youth in the Political Process" in 2024. The news certainly came as a surprise to me and wasn't a nomination which I was expecting. Nonetheless, as travelling to the U.S.A had always been a dream of mine, this was an opportunity which I definitely didn't want to miss, and which I wanted to make the most out of.

The project which I was a part of followed the theme of 'Not Too Young to Run: Engaging Youth in the Political Process', and focussed on strengthening the upcoming generation of politicians, and enhancing their leadership skills in order to utilise them in their future careers. This project introduced me to a large group of young successful people, who are all making names for themselves in their respective countries. By means of this opportunity, I also got to meet with a wide range of elected politicians, public officials, grassroots activists, and political candidates, amongst many other established individuals. 

The trip saw me visit Washington D.C., Manchester in New Hampshire, Orlando in Florida, and Phoenix in Arizona. Since the trip took place in late 2024, I managed to witness the last few weeks before the presidential election that occurred that same year, and it was certainly an exciting and informative experience. On a personal level, I truly enjoyed and appreciated this experience, and it was something which I will always be grateful for. As someone who aspires to get into politics one day, this was an experience which equipped me with skills that have helped me grow and memories and connections which I will always treasure. 

Jacon Callus took part in the United States's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the leading short-term professional exchange program of the United States government and Department of State