MEET KAIYELL: How Travel Reshaped His Understanding of Success

Alumni profile: Kaiyell Pettie

From: Queens, New York
Global Glimpse Alumni: Dominican Republic, 2016
Education: Baruch College, BBA, Finance
Your Global Glimpse Experience in 3 Words: Profound, Humbling, and Eye-Opening

“At the end of the day, it’s not about the scholarships and success, but instead it’s in carrying this humbling experience with me and how I choose to live my life.”

Born in St. Maarten before immigrating to Queens, New York, Kaiyell saw his mother working hard to live the American Dream. As a single parent her grit and determination to provide opportunities and education beyond what she was able to achieve in her own life was awe-inspiring and left Kaiyell dreaming of building his own future success.

Even at a young age, Kaiyell remembers having lofty career aspirations and personal goals– at the forefront he wanted to see the world, study business, become an entrepreneur, and lead a meaningful life. Kaiyell knew that with hard work he could have it all, but in 2016 he found Global Glimpse, an organization he credits as a major force in shaping the trajectory of his life.

What was the most impactful aspect of your program?

My travels to the Dominican Republic were some of the most profound experiences of my life. I went to the airport not knowing a single person and left with friendships that remain strong almost a decade later.

More than the friendships that I made, my Community Action Project really made a lasting impact. As someone who has always wanted to study business and finance, it was eye opening working alongside people who, in many instances, were living below the poverty line on less than $1 USD.

“In the United States, we complain all the time about what we don’t have or are worrying about getting ahead, but we lose sight of what’s really important. By working and spending time with the local community, I was able to experience a zest for life and reprioritize what, at the end of the day, is important to me.”

Then, each night through our debriefs I was able to have meaningful conversations with my group surrounding these differences in perspective. I wasn’t just sharing my thoughts, but also learning and listening to everyone else’s. It was humbling and, to this day, I think about those perspective shifts a lot.

How did your time in the Dominican Republic (DR) impact your career aspirations after high school?

Oh wow. My Global Glimpse program was monumental. I actually went to a high school that has an emphasis on economics and finance so I knew early on what I wanted to do professionally, but when I got home from the DR I had a new perspective on the inequalities existing in the world. From there, I applied to scholarships and opportunities that would allow me to blend my passions and make a difference.

What’s been your biggest accomplishment to date?

Am I allowed to say Global Glimpse? It’s true! I went into this program and didn’t know a single person. It was a big accomplishment to push my comfort zones in that way, but thinking bigger, without Global Glimpse I wouldn’t have formed a powerful connection with the Program Coordinator who went on to write me a recommendation letter for college and many of the scholarship opportunities that I received. One of the most prestigious being the CocaCoca Scholarship, which is only awarded to 150 individuals out of the roughly 100,000 that apply. It’s also statistically one of the hardest scholarships in the United States, so that was really exciting.

This is just one example of the snowball effect from my travels and what they taught me. At the end of the day, it’s not about the awards and success, but instead it’s in carrying this humbling experience with me and how I choose to live my life.

You mentioned carrying your humbling experiences in the DR with you in how you choose to live your life. Can you share more?

Coming from a Caribbean background, hard work was ingrained in me at an early age from my mother. As a single parent she was always striving to provide opportunities and an education for her kids that was beyond what she was unable to achieve in her own life. Seeing her determination inspired and pushed me to work hard personally and professionally, but after Global Glimpse I wanted to achieve success with a purpose.

“Now, I’m motivated by three goals: 1. Foster a better life for myself and my family 2. Inspire others to be the best versions of themselves 3. Leave the world in a better place than how I entered it.”

Is there any advice you’d offer to other students who are nervous about going on a trip with Global Glimpse?

Go with an open mind and be ready to soak it all in. The program is designed for you to make the most out of your time and impact your long term development. Be open to embracing a new culture, new ways of doing things, and a new appreciation for life. And, when you come home, join the alumni community!