Reflections from the 2025 I Want to be an Ambassador! Camp
The final day of camp is always bittersweet, but if you were at our closing ceremony, you know the room was brimming with pride and hope for the future. After a week of learning, connecting, and stepping into leadership roles, our campers shared what it meant to embrace the spirit of diplomacy.
The following reflections are more than just words, they’re windows into the hearts of young people ready to lead with kindness and courage. Each reflection is a testament to the friendships formed, the challenges met, and the calling to be ambassadors not only here, but wherever life leads them next.
🎧 Want to hear from the ambassadors themselves? Click the links below to listen to interviews conducted by the team at the Saturday Light Brigade featuring our teen ambassadors as they share how camp shaped their understanding of diplomacy and inspired a commitment to bridge-building in everyday life.
👉🔗 SLB Round Table Interview – Group 1
👉🔗 SLB Round Table Interview – Group 2
Mariana
Good afternoon everyone, thanks for being here today. My name is Mariana. I’m from Colombia, I’m 17 years old, and I’m going to be a senior at FCHS. It was a pleasure meeting all of you during this camp.
For me, diplomacy is the art of managing relationships between different groups or countries. It involves communication, negotiation, and problem-solving to find peaceful solutions and promote mutual understanding.
This camp prepared us for all the possible challenges that could come in different situations, like learning about a different country, learning how to express ourselves correctly, and how to use our body language in a better way.
This camp was such a great experience. The things they taught us I thought I wasn’t going to use, but all that changed when we went to D.C. This taught us that everything is useful—such as knowing how to use chopsticks at a Thai restaurant.
I also want to say thank you to Deb, Michael, Tom, Elisabeth, and of course Hilda for making this camp so comfortable and fun for me. I felt understood and never felt judged. Thank you so much, Luminari.
Hajar
My name is Hajar. I’m 16 years old and a rising junior at Fox Chapel Area High School.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. with the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp. It was fun but also educational for me. I got the chance to meet important people that otherwise, on my own, I wouldn’t be able to.
Seeing how these ambassadors maintained their relationships with other countries, whether friend or foe, got me thinking that I could also have a better and more peaceful relationship with my siblings, which also is a good way to practice the ways of being a future ambassador.
It’s not necessary to make big decisions to be an ambassador. You are an ambassador whenever you bring peace to people’s lives. It’s an important lesson that I’ve learned at Luminari, and I will never forget it.
Vivian
Hi, my name is Vivian, and I am going into 8th grade at Shady Side Academy.
When I came to this camp, I thought it was going to be boring. But it was not. From guest speakers to New Orleans cuisine, this camp was a great insight into different cultures and diplomacy, and was very fun with many interactive classes.
If I had to choose one favorite part of this experience, it would have to be the D.C. trip. My favorite embassy was the Embassy of Ukraine because it was very interesting to listen to the speaker’s opinions on the war. In addition to visiting the Polish, Mexican, and Ukrainian embassies, we also visited the Capitol and listened in on the Senate in session!
Another favorite part was the food. The Ethiopian restaurant we visited in D.C. had such good food, words can’t even describe it. I got a spaghetti dish, and it was probably one of the few times that I ate the vegetables willingly.
Overall, this camp taught me so much about diplomacy, and I really enjoyed every second of it. Thank you.
Victor
Hello, my name is Victor, and I am going into eighth grade.
I joined I Want to be an Ambassador! with the intention of improving my public speaking skills and confidence. This camp has not only helped me achieve that goal, but taught me many other things. It gave me the opportunity to explore other cultures with an open mindset.
I really liked a particular activity simulating the Cuban Missile Crisis, where we were able to relive the experience, playing different roles in an attempt to convince the president on what to do.
Additionally, the trip to Washington, D.C. was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, including a visit to the Senate and three embassies, and eating Ethiopian food. Meeting with real diplomats also helped me appreciate many different cultures and understand present-day problems much better.
Overall, this camp has provided a wonderful opportunity. Thank you.
Lex
Hello, my name is Lex. I am a rising 9th grader at Shady Side Academy.
This camp introduced me to many life skills that I will utilize throughout life—and some that I am using right now. Some things we learned about were public speaking, what an ambassador is, and body language. Those are the types of things that are bridge ways to success in life.
I particularly enjoyed learning about body language. It taught me how much of communication and your impact on others are nonverbal.
My favorite part of the camp was visiting D.C., more specifically, I was fascinated by the embassies we visited. Visiting those embassies showed me the variety of cultures and opinions we have around the world. It revealed to me how diplomacy is constant, and always happening and evolving.
Overall, this camp introduced me to many different perspectives, and I can’t be grateful enough for having this opportunity.
Reol
Good afternoon everyone.My name is Reol. I’m 18 years old, and I’m a rising senior at Allderdice High School.
During my time at Luminari, we learned about diplomacy. But what is diplomacy?
Diplomacy is the art and science of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups, or individuals.
How and when can we practice diplomacy?
I would say there is not a specific time or place to practice diplomacy. We use diplomacy every day to solve conflicts.
With Luminari, we got a chance to go to Washington, D.C. My favorite part in D.C. was when we visited the embassies, because we had the chance to ask questions at the source and to the right person.
And I loved the food too, it was extra.
Thanks.
Yusuf
Good afternoon everyone, my name is Yusuf, and I am a rising 9th grader at Shady Side Academy and a member of the I Want to Be an Ambassador! camp.
As you all know, the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp was an opportunity to view the activities of real ambassadors and to practice diplomacy. In this camp, we learned about diplomacy in many different ways, including body language, public speaking, and negotiating which people to take on foreign missions to Mars.
These experiences were very eye-opening to me, as they let me experience true diplomacy and what an ambassador has to be every day. However, my favorite aspect of the camp was the D.C. trip, and in particular, visiting the Senate and hearing Chuck Schumer speak, as that was an in-person view of diplomacy in real time.
In conclusion, this camp was an amazing opportunity to see what it’s like to be an ambassador, and I thank the people who made this opportunity possible.
Iragi
Hi, my name is Iragi. I’m 17 years old and a rising senior at Obama Academy.
I’m truly grateful for the opportunity that the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp has given me. This experience not only allowed me to visit Washington, D.C. for the very first time, but it also opened my eyes to the importance of diplomacy and how we can apply it in our everyday lives.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that diplomacy isn’t just about winning arguments, it’s about making peace, understanding others, and solving conflicts in a respectful and thoughtful way. From now on, I’ll do my best to approach disagreements with a diplomatic mindset.
A great example of diplomacy in action is President John F. Kennedy’s response during the Cuban Missile Crisis. When the Soviet Union sent weapons to Cuba, President Kennedy chose to negotiate rather than go to war. His calm and strategic approach helped prevent a nuclear disaster – proving how powerful diplomacy can be when used wisely.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity to learn and grow here at the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp. I’ll carry these lessons with me wherever I go.
Gianna
Hi, my name is Gianna. I’m 16 years old, and I’m a rising junior at Bishop Canevin High School.
In our interconnected world, diplomacy is more than just talks; it’s the art of building bridges. It’s about understanding different perspectives, finding common ground, and crafting solutions that benefit everyone.
Diplomacy prevents conflicts, fosters trade, and addresses global challenges like climate change and health crises. Think of diplomacy as the first line of defense. Before conflicts escalate, diplomats work tirelessly to negotiate peace. They create alliances, mediate disputes, and promote cooperation. Diplomacy ensures that nations can work together, even when they disagree.
So, let’s recognize and support diplomacy. It’s not always easy or quick, but it’s essential for a stable and prosperous world. By investing in diplomacy, we invest in a future where dialogue triumphs over division, and collaboration leads to progress for all.
Honestly, that’s the biggest take-a-way from this camp.
Molly
Hello! I’m Molly, I’m 16, and I go to Mt. Lebanon.
Luminari has taught me that communication is the foundation that all diplomacy is built upon; however, communication is not enough to effectively reach agreements by itself. There must also be a mutual respect between all parties. This is cultural awareness, genuine interest in investment, and open-mindedness.
During the D.C. portion of this camp, I was able to see how government leaders use these skills to forge strong partnerships with other nations. In our visits to the Polish, Mexican, and Ukrainian embassies, we heard from diplomats who work to advocate for their country’s needs while also seeking to collaborate with other countries.
Overall, Luminari has given me the opportunity to learn valuable skills about leadership and communication and to see how real-life diplomats apply such skills.
Mira
My name is Mira, I’m fifteen, and I go to Winchester Thurston School.
My teachers here have always called me a quiet leader. Well, I like the leader part. This camp has taught me how to use my voice to approach cross-cultural communication with understanding and an open mind.
Lessons in Pittsburgh showed me the power of body language and nonverbal communication, and helped me learn about different cultures through food, arts, and conversation. The D.C. trip was both fun and educational. I learned how ambassadors apply these skills in their workplace, where they unite two cultures with everything from dinners to economic negotiation to climate solutions.
This camp was beautiful to experience and helped me learn confidence and understanding. I am so grateful to Luminari for giving these wonderful learning opportunities to Pittsburgh’s students. I was honored to receive the Luminari Award and hope to continue my study of global diplomacy in the future.
Louisa
Hi, my name is Louisa. I’m 15 years old and I’m going into my sophomore year at North Allegheny.
This camp has taught me many important skills, such as public speaking and proper etiquette when meeting people. One of the more fun parts of this camp was learning about different cultures like when we learned Chinese calligraphy and how to use chopsticks.
The best part of this camp, though, had to be spending time with the other campers. We pretty much all were excited to be here and learn about diplomacy, and although most of us didn’t know anybody else here, we all had friends by the second day.
The D.C. trip was a lot of fun. My favorite part was seeing the real attraction at the Lincoln Memorial: the ducks. The embassies were pretty cool, though. It’s very hard to choose a favorite, but I’m going to go with the Mexican Embassy because of how welcoming they were and that their presentation was more informative of what they actually do.
Overall, this camp has taught me so many skills, and I can’t wait to use them all in the future. Thank you.
Natalie
Hello, my name is Natalie. I’m 15 and going into 10th grade at North Allegheny.
This camp has taught me a lot of new skills, like public speaking and reading body language. Some of my favorite parts of this camp were learning Chinese calligraphy and the cultural assimilation simulation.
I really enjoyed the D.C. trip, and it went by faster than I thought it would. It was pretty cool visiting the embassies and learning more about what they do and their country’s culture. I also liked visiting the Capitol and hearing Chuck Schumer give a speech, despite the long lines.
This camp was very interesting, and I learned a lot of valuable life skills. Thank you.
Da’Shawn
Good afternoon everyone, I’m Da’Shawn, and I’m 16 years old.
When I first saw what the Luminari program entailed, I was a bit skeptical because I’m a person who doesn’t like getting out of my comfort zone. But I knew that this program would help me gradually move past that behavior, because I know that if I don’t, I’ll miss out on wonderful experiences like this camp.
Luminari has provided me with fun activities, new understandings, and an excuse to leave Pittsburgh. But more importantly, throughout the camp, I learned how to present myself in public, as well as what diplomacy is and how it works. With this, I have come to my own definition of what diplomacy is: the ability to have an open mind as well as an open heart; the ability to have patience and understanding; and the ability to problem-solve in a way where everyone is satisfied.
In D.C., we got to meet the diplomats of Poland, Ukraine, and Mexico, eat new and interesting foods, see wonderful monuments and interesting places, but out of all of these, the one that resonated with me most was meeting the diplomats, because they provided me with what I was looking for: an example of how a leader should sound and act.
Those diplomats have provided me with skills that I will use every day in order to be a better person than I am today. Thank you, Luminari, for this wonderful and unforgettable experience.
XinLan
Last week, I learned public speaking skills, how nonverbal communication affects the meaning of the words we say, and how to analyze other people’s body language. These skills are important for future job interviews and presentations.
I also learned how to write emails correctly and the best time to send emails when I need to contact people. This camp gave me chances to go to the embassies of Poland, Mexico, and Ukraine to meet diplomats and ask questions.
My favorite part of this camp was experiencing Chinese culture. Because I come from China, I really want other people to not just know Chinese culture, but also experience it. This goes back to what I learned last week that there is always more than just food and how people behave when learning a new culture.
Elizabeth
Hi everyone, my name is Elizabeth. I am 13 years old, and I go to the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh. This camp is everything I hoped it would be, and I’ve already recommended it to my friends. Over the past seven days, I feel like I’ve gotten to know so many people, and I hope that everyone can stay in touch.
I’ve learned about public speaking, body language, conflict resolution, and so much more. Washington, D.C. was amazing, especially the food, and the embassies we got to visit were very educational. The embassies we saw were Poland, Mexico, and Ukraine.
My favorite part of everything was definitely the spy museum, where we got to have secret identities and go on “top secret missions.” Overall, I think this camp is a great experience, and I will never forget the people I’ve met, the sights I’ve seen, and all the times I’ve had. Thank you.
Ryan
Hello, my name is Ryan. I am a 17-year-old rising senior at Hopewell High School.
This past week at the “I Want to be an Ambassador!” camp has been an incredible experience. I’ve met so many different people and learned skills such as public speaking, conflict resolution, and how to represent myself in a respectful and professional manner.
One of the biggest takeaways I’ve had from this camp is learning how to connect with people who come from different backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. It’s important to be able to engage with others respectfully while being open-minded and able to hear new ideas.
The trip to Washington, D.C. was one of the most impactful parts of camp. Being able to visit multiple embassies and speak with actual diplomats was something I never thought I’d get to do. We visited the embassies of Poland, Mexico, and Ukraine, which provided unique and diverse perspectives on diplomacy and international relations. I also enjoyed trying different foods from the cultures we learned about—especially the pierogies!
I want to thank everyone who made this camp possible, including my fellow campers, the staff, and our mentors who helped guide us throughout this week. This has truly been a life-changing experience, and I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be part of it.
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📹 Want a final look at Ambassador camp 2025? Watch this short video by Luminari Intern, Elizabeth Nielsen that captures the spirit of our camp and the voices that made it unforgettable 👉🔗 I Want to be an Ambassador! 2025 video highlight. Enjoy!
