Student Spotlight – Tayeba from Bangladesh

This summer, we’re excited to highlight Tayeba from Bangladesh, who spent her 2024–25 school year in Arizona with the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. From bringing a community garden to life with help from the Hershey Heartwarming Grant to laughing in the kitchen with her host family, Tayeba embraced her exchange year with curiosity, care, and a drive to make a difference!

What inspired you to apply for the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) scholarship and become an exchange student?

I realized that I love meeting new people and exploring new cultures when I went to an international Girl Scouts camp in 2023 for the first time. I made so many new friends from different countries, and it completely changed my perspective.

I remember there was an invitation letter that came to our school describing this 10-month exchange program where I would have the same opportunity to broaden my perspective even more. I was scared and nervous, but I started researching. I probably read 100 different alumni stories and the great things they did, which inspired me to finally submit the application for the YES scholarship.

*Tayeba from Bangladesh (second from left) with her happy host family after a Taekwondo class in Arizona*

Tell us about your life with your host family!

I was blessed to have an amazing host family. During the weekdays, even though we all had really busy schedules, we still managed to find time together in the afternoon to talk or watch a movie. What I loved most about weekends with them was cooking meals together. The picture of my host sister singing songs with her heart open while chopping green beans, my host mom peeling potatoes, and my host dad preparing the grill will always stay in my heart. Watch Tayeba’s video where she shares that the best part of her exchange was her host family!

*From strangers to sisters, Tayeba and her host sibling made the most of their time together in Arizona*

My host mom was very caring, and my host dad was always there to listen when I needed to talk. I went to the same school, took the same taekwondo classes, and went everywhere with my host sister. She basically became my best friend!

How did your Global Youth Service Day project come to life?

I have seen a lot of YES students participate in Global Youth Service Projects, and it was my dream to arrange one too. I have always believed in helping people, so I was already involved with community service groups like Girl Scouts and the Red Crescent before my exchange year. When I applied for the YES scholarship, one of the experiences I hoped to gain was being involved in service projects and learning how to organize them. During my exchange year, I worked with local food banks, schools, basketball teams, track and field clubs, and Girl Scouts camps in my host community.

*Tayeba (center front, in green) smiles with fellow students and volunteers at the community garden where they spent the day learning and planting together*

When I joined my Girl Scouts troop in the United States, I found out about the Gold Award Project. It is a sustainable, high-impact project led by Girl Scouts to create lasting change in their communities. I immediately thought about starting a Gold Award Project to make a difference in my host community before the end of my exchange year.

After working on our backyard garden with my host family, I had the idea to teach kids about plants and inspire them to keep learning how to take care of them. I started looking for local gardens, schools, and camps that might want to collaborate. During my research, I found the Hershey Heartwarming Grant on the YSA (Youth Service America) website. With help from my troop leader, Lauren, I applied and was selected as the only grantee from my host state, Arizona.

*With a class full of eager learners, Tayeba shares her passion for plants and the environment*

I also reached out to Leading Edge Academy and received permission to give a presentation on plants from different parts of the world. On Earth Day 2025, I visited their school and spoke to more than 100 students. Their enthusiasm inspired me to keep going. I also visited two Girl Scouts camps where I taught over 120 kids about planting seeds and Arizona’s native plants. I brought peat pellets and seeds to show them how to plant, and they each got to keep their own plant. I also partnered with the American Society of Landscape Architects to host a landscaping event at Copper Sky, where some of the architects came and shared their designs with the Girl Scouts. This inspired the girls a lot.

What inspired the idea of a community garden? What motivates you to create change in the world?

The idea behind the community garden was to teach kids how to give back. I wanted to create a garden with the help of younger kids and donate its produce to a local women’s center. After sending many emails, I found a local educational garden called Garden Social that was interested in the idea.

*A sweet moment of teamwork as Tayeba shows a young student how to plant with care*

Using part of the grant and help from the owner, Austin, we planned a planting day and invited students under 18 to join us. Around 30 people came, and we had a wonderful time teaching them about soil mixing, different seeds, and how to care for the plants. The kids loved the interactive session! I always say this, I love when I do something that makes someone smile. Seeing people’s faces light up makes my whole day, and that is what drives me to make a change in the world.

Are you interested in making a student like Tayeba a part of your family? We are looking for American host families to welcome a student for the upcoming 2025-26 school year! Check out the profiles of our wonderful students!