Meet the 2021 Gather Reporters
March 21, 2021
Benjamin Chu, Hong Kong, China
I joined JA four years ago, and I have learned so much. I am a very positive person and I love doing sports. Even though a lot of people may see it as an extra burden in our busy lives, I view it as a time for me to relax and to regain my momentum. On most occasions, I would be the person who brings laughter and energy to the room and would volunteer to be the leader in adverse situations. I enjoy influencing and inspiring people around me and demonstrating the spirit of “never give up,” which I have learned from doing sports. I am also a very sincere person. I never shy away from making genuine comments, but that does not mean that I am a radical person. Everyone knows what has been happening in Hong Kong since 2019. I respect everyone's point of view, but I do advocate having constructive discussions among different groups of people. This year, I’ve started writing articles and posting them online, trying to contribute my perspective. I do not discriminate against any people who have a different view, but I would rather first treat others true-heartedly.
Raheel Al Abbasi, Bahrain
Describing myself is sort of like describing the aging process: I am always growing, always aiming higher, trying to reach the unreachable by overcoming obstacles one day at a time. The more I grow, the more experience and knowledge I acquire. It’s a truly unique, one-of-a-kind process.
Noel Bonga, Kenya
I have a passion for all things having to do with creative expression. I have a great appreciation for drawing, recreational reading, and music. I am a self-styled “talkative introvert” in that I am talkative by nature but reserved in unfamiliar settings. These qualities enable me to actively listen, read the room, and adapt to the people I am interacting with when in new settings. I hope to challenge myself and broaden my interpersonal skills through the gather reporter and manager of gather business position. As an avid reader, I look forward to being on the writing end of things as I interview other JA alumni and bring their stories to life on the newsletter. I am currently a university student in my fourth year of architectural studies. Studying architecture has been a joy for me, as my interest in it stems from my love of drawing. I often destress from school by baking, and I enjoy trying new recipes and experimenting.
Maia Zennie, Lebanon & UAE
How would I describe myself? I am proactive, perseverant, and passionate! I never hesitate to go the extra mile to remain optimistic and pursue my goals. I’m devoted to advocating for youth empowerment and inclusion at all levels of the decision-making process.
Defne Saylik, Turkey
I'm a future marketeer in business life who seeks her passion in presenting ideas perfectly to make them reach as far as possible. I study Business Administration but I’m also good at graphics design and interested in music. I plan to build my career upon social media management, digital marketing, and marketing strategies. I'll never stop learning since I believe knowledge is the most valuable asset.
Loran Geskens, Belgium
I study International Business Management in Ghent, Belgium. I’m hard-working and very motivated, and I’m eager to learn new things. I think I have a healthy hunger for the business world. During the past few years, I have learned to work in teams as well as on my own. I’m an independent go-getter, and I don’t stop until I reach my goals. I love to get to know new people from all over the world and share ideas with like-minded individuals. I can’t wait to travel the world again and discover new cultures and insights.
Stevia Putri, Indonesia
I'm extremely proud to call Indonesia my home. The country is very diverse and it has shaped me into who I am. Living as a minority doesn't stop me from aspiring and proving that one day, I could be one of the greatest finance and business analysts. I participated in the JA Company Program from 2019–2021. It opened my mind as to how powerful and interesting business is, especially how meaningful every little component of a business is. I love to see how every single job is connected to one another. I’m very thankful that JA has given me a great opportunity to know a lot more people, to share, interact, and develop myself and others. I'm an extrovert and I really love to engage with new people around the world.