Acquaint

During my time as a volunteer with Acquaint, I facilitated meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and built genuine human connections across continents. Over 17 sessions, totaling 16.3 hours (with an average session length of 57.6 minutes), I dedicated approximately 20.4 volunteer hours to fostering understanding and empathy among participants from diverse backgrounds.

Personal Connections & Community Building

Through each session, I strived to create a welcoming space where people could share their stories, learn about new cultures, and challenge stereotypes. The appreciation notes I received reflect the depth of these connections and the positive impact of my approach:

• “It was enjoyable for me, I love this journey, I'm really interested to be here and learn more. I understood the U.S culture, my travelar was great today, Thanks for acquaint team.” —Mursal
  
  

• “Hi Cybele, I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for being such a supportive and engaged session partner at Acquaint. Your professionalism, insight, and collaborative spirit truly made a difference, and I really appreciated working alongside you.” —Thuso
  
  

• “Thanks a lot for sharing with me about your experiences and the way you see life and relationships, I will think about parts of our conversations for days, for sure. I hope you can always find community and friendship wherever you go.” —Saturno
  
  

• “Conversation is a new way to learn. Travelling is part of experience, learning a new language is fun and amazing. Family is everything. Thank you so much Cybele, I appreciate your time and also thank you for teaching me about a new language, I will start learning tonight.” —Chisom
  
  

• “What a conversation! Thanks for an inspiring session. Cybele, your energy and open-mindedness could be easily felt throughout my time with you. You truly inspired me to live my own way, not theirs.” —Modar
  
  

• “Such beautiful voice. So easy to talk to. Thank you for your time. And I hope we get paired again, looking forward to seeing you at the Acquaint group sessions.” —Jennifer
  
  

• “I learned that people have the same feelings, whether they live in the East or the West. We all go through similar problems in different ways, and we feel happiness and sadness in the same way. I was very impressed by her caregiving work, especially the way she took care of her father.” —Abdul Waheed
  
  

• “Thank you for such a warm and heartfelt conversation. You're incredibly friendly and deeply emotional in the most genuine way. Wishing you all the best and much success ahead—you truly have a beautiful spirit.” —Zakaria
  
  

• “Your unique ability to handle challenging situations is truly admirable and worth emulating. I look forward to many more enriching conversations with you in the future.” —Olabanjo
  
  

• “Your optimism has been encouraging to me, and I do trust that good things are coming your way. Thank you!” —Brenda
  
  

• “Thank you for the rich conversation, the insight on Contribution & gratitude journaling, and the blend of theory and lived wisdom. Wishing you all the best as you grow into the amazing coach you’re meant to be and continue building meaningful relationships.” —EbenezeR
  
  

Tangible Outcomes

• Facilitated 17 sessions, totaling 16.3 hours of direct engagement
  
  

• Averaged nearly an hour per session, allowing for deep, meaningful conversations
  
  

• Inspired participants to challenge their own assumptions, learn new languages, and embrace cultural differences
  
  

• Modeled empathy, active listening, and open-mindedness, helping others feel heard and valued
  
  

Broader Impact

By fostering these connections, I contributed to Acquaint’s mission of building a world united by community, where everyone feels they belong. My sessions not only supported individual growth and cultural learning but also created a ripple effect, encouraging others to seek understanding and compassion in their own communities.

Through every conversation, I witnessed firsthand how dialogue can dissolve barriers, reveal our shared humanity, and inspire lasting change—one connection at a time.