The WYSE Travel Confederation Extraordinary Experience Award 2012
Winner: Center for Cultural Interchange and Barnabas Nyaaba
Barnabas Nyaaba from Ghana went to the United States as a Summer Work Travel participant.
In addition to working full time, he spent his scarce free-time volunteering at a food bank for the homeless.
As the participant who volunteered the most hours, he received a Greenheart grant of $500 to carry out a volunteer project in his home country.
He chose to use the money to inspire more young Ghanaians to volunteer.
He went to various schools in Ghana and gave seminars on volunteering and also organised an essay contest.
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The WYSE Travel Confederation Innovation in Marketing Award 2012
Winner: EF – Education First with the Live The Language Campaign
Despite the modest budget the Live the Language marketing Campaign by EF went viral across social media,
it was mentioned in over 700 design blogs, spawned a series of student and industry-generated homages and tributes
and reached over 7 million video views.
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WYSTC App Yap Award 2012
Winner: Triposo
Triposo is an app which provides travel information to over 8000 destinations.
Information is available offline and smart algorithms generate travel suggestions based on date, location and weather.
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The WYSE Work Abroad “Expand Your Horizons” Video Contest 2012
Winner: “A Lifelong Experience [Learn.Experience.Exchange.]” by Lam Wai Kuan, GeoVisions student
Lam Wai Kuan’s winning video can be viewed here.
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Youth First International Award 2012
Winner: Randy Sykes of International Student Volunteers
Randy Sykes demonstrated a commitment to enriching students’ lives through travel
and contributing to the advancement of our industry through volunteer activities, community service or education.
He has been working in youth travel and tourism for over 35 years and has successfully operated cultural exchange, education,
volunteer and travel programs for tens of thousands of youth from around the globe.
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The STAY WYSE Green Initiative 2012
Winner: Habitat HQ
Habitat HQ is a backpackers and youth hostel based in Melbourne, with a project which has hit carbon neutrality two years ahead of schedule and uses 25% renewable energies.
Habitat HQ also features other initiatives such as: energy saving lighting, keycard activated lighting recycling of glass, plastic, paper.
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The WYSE Volunteer & Travel – Outstanding Volunteer Project 2012
Winner: Hacienda Tranquila by Ecole Travel Ecuador
The Hacienda Tranquila project demonstrated high levels of participation with clear measurable and achievable targets.
The project particularly impressed with its 10 year environmental plan and the work it has already achieved
in remediating the effects of invasive species in the globally important ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands.