Top 5 Character Strengths:
- Humour
- Leadership
- Social Intelligence
- Fairness
- Bravery
How did you use them during the games?
Given that so much of our Micronesian Games experience involved work, it was really important, to make that fun. Just to be able to joke around and hang out with everyone made everything more enjoyable and make everyone closer friends.
Yet a large part of my job was also to help coordinate and keep everyone on task, so it was important that I could be someone who could stand up and make things happen. To do that I really needed to understand what was going on in the situation and alter my actions or expectations accordingly, that’s where my social intelligence really came in handy.
What were three great things that happened during the games? Explain why they were important to you.
Something I will always remember is the basketball games in the college stadium. Arriving in that stadium to see it packed to the rafters, people crammed into every nook and cranny to watch their team was amazing. The roar of excitement as Pohnpei scored, the sighs of exasperation if they missed – it was incredible.
Another favourite moment was our midnight swims at Nett Point. Having worked with everyone so closely for the past couple of weeks it was nice to go and swim in the beautiful, clear waters of Nett Point and just hang out – no results, no articles, just fun!
My hands down, favourite moment, was our last night all together. We all crammed into our apartment and the boys played a dare game that was so hilarious Molly and I struggled to breathe at times we were laughing so hard. It was the perfect end to the trip, just all of us having fun, hanging out and making memories I know I’ll remember for years to come.
How has being part of UYM impacted you?
For me, UYM has opened so many doors and exposed me to so many experiences. Without it I never would have travelled to Pohnpei or even contemplated attending their games. Having experienced the people and the culture that’s on offer, I couldn’t imagine having never been here and experienced this. Although UYM provides opportunities, I think most importantly it provides perspective. There’s a big world out there, full of interesting people with incredible stories and UYM is helping me to see just a fraction of that, something I’ll always be grateful for.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope to become a journalist, working at a newspaper and, most importantly, travel. I’d love to return to Micronesia someday and who knows, maybe in another few years I’ll be back for another Micronesian Games.
Alana Christensen
United Youth Media - Melbourne