MIS and some thoughts on Egypt's future

Yalla ya AIESEC Egypt!
What a crazy amazing weekend I had in Ras Sudr at the Misr (Egypt) Intercultural Seminar – MIS. MIS is the national conference for AIESEC members who either want to go abroad on exchange (like me!), are heading out of leadership positions, or are about to begin their leadership position on the executive board. I was a facilitator for the Exchange track, WOOT!, of the conference and it was such an experience! I learned a LOT not only about myself but also about a certain topic/issue I raised in a session called ‘world café’ which is an opportunity for us as facilitators to raise current issues and for the delegates to discuss with us about them. My topic was the Brain Drain in Egypt.
Traveling abroad as much as I have, and especially to developing and underdeveloped countries, has made me realize how lucky I am to be born an American citizen. It has also shown me the overwhelming number of people who dream of coming to a place like the U.S. or other developed countries around the world for a better future for them and their families. So about the brain drain, 90% of the students at the American University in Cairo, which is one of the best schools in Egypt, plan on leaving Egypt when they graduate. Whoa. When so many of Egypt’s intelligent minds leave, it makes it more difficult for the country to advance itself politically, socially, and economically. It’s topics like this that a lot of Americans don’t think about, ever. So what I wanted to know is why specifically so many of Egypt's bright minds are so quick to leave and what can be done to reverse the brain drain. I got some reallllly great responses. I had one girl named Salma who studies politics and economics who made the biggest impact on me by far. She truly has hope for Egypt’s future to prosper and come out of all the negativity and corruption that currently runs through it. Unfortunately, people like here are not so common and it’s going to take people like herself to bring change in Egypt. What really touched me was that she was so hopeful for the future that she said she would give her life in a heartbeat if that mean that her children and grandchildren would be able to live in a better Egypt where their lives are appreciated.
There is a lot more I could say regarding my impressions and thoughts about the discussions I had but for the sake of blogging, I’ll try and keep it short. Just be thankful for all of those who fought for YOUR freedoms and protested so YOU could have your rights and so that your life can be valued in your country. A lot of people don’t know how lucky and blessed they are to be living where they do in America, be thankful.