TYO Intern Alumni: Where are They Now?

Mitch Bacci

My overwhelmingly positive experiences teaching classes at TYO have shaped my professional plans by inspiring me to pursue a career in education.

A Guerneville, CA native, Mitch taught Sports and Wellness, IT for The Women's Group, and Professional Competency at An-Najah University as an intern at TYO Nablus in the summer of 2012.

What was your favorite moment/story from your time with TYO? 

Many of my most memorable moments in sports and wellness class involve popping, stomping, or throwing balloons. Of these, my favorite occurred on a hot summer day during a teamwork building water balloon relay race. With tacit approval, or perhaps encouragement, of Suhad, this exercise erupted into a spontaneous water balloon fight that left me wringing out my clothes and all my students giggling.

What do you miss most about TYO or Nablus?

In addition to my students, volunteers, and friends in Nablus, I miss watching the Core Program children bounce around the ground floor atrium every morning while warming up to the Palestinian version of 'Wave Your Flag.'

What have you been up to after leaving Nablus and what are your plans for the future?

I am currently studying in Cairo, Egypt to become an Arabic teacher and volunteering as a translator for a non-profit organization that seeks to inform American public opinion by translating and publishing foreign news articles concerning the United States.

How do you think TYO affected you personally and professionally?

My overwhelmingly positive experiences teaching classes at TYO have shaped my professional plans by inspiring me to pursue a career in education. Also, on a personal level, through my interactions with Nablusis I feel that I forged deep connections with the local community that will definitely bring me back to Nablus in the near future!

Do you have any advice for anyone considering applying for a TYO internship?

What is to consider? Apply! The experience of interning at TYO offers not only a diverse and invaluable set of professional skills, but also a unique perspective on development work and life in Palestine.