Bandar Seri Begawan - A Mixture nervousness and excitement was visible on the faces of selected participants of the Asean Youth Leadership Programme who will set off to the US on November 21.

It will be the first time Sayyidina Othman Secondary School student Muhamad Firdaus Adanan, 17, has travelled overseas.

"When I first got the news, I got really excited because I've never been on a plane before. This is something really big for me. Way big," he said.

Still studying in Lower Six, he plans to take up an engineering course as he majors in maths, chemistry and science.

"This trip is really good for me because I am interested in checking out the colleges, which I hope will foster my interest in engineering," he said.

Asked if he fears being on a long journey in a plane, he said that he's nervous but found out from his peers that "there really is nothing to worry about".

Hidayatul Nabilah Hj Mohd Jeff Fariz from Meragang Sixth Form Centre (PTE Meragang) says she looks forward to visiting all the landmarks, particularly the Smithsonian Museum and the White House.

A self-confessed fan of President Barack Obama, Hidayat said that she hopes to see him during the tour and better yet, would love to shake his hand. "President Obama represents hope and change and I am very impressed with his efforts to strengthen relations with his Asian counterparts," she said.

Although sad to leave her family and friends for the next three weeks, Syarifah Syazwana Wan All from Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College said that she was looking forward to the tours, particularly to Union Station in Washington DC, which she was told was a "very famous place".

She also said that she was delighted to be able to meet other participants of the trip and was very ken to show off Brunei's unique culture through traditional dances as well as a presentation she will be putting up with her peers.

"We are going to do a presentation on Brunei and I am in charge of introducing the Melayu, Islam and Beraja ("Malay, Islam, Monarchy",

or MIB) ideology as well as the ministerial hierarchy," she said. Mohamed Fahamin Hj Feisal from Jerudong International School said he had been to the US before, but he was only four-years-old at the time.

"I am looking forward to experiencing US culture, especially the food. I was told that 25th street (in Chicago) was the best place to get great food," he said.

"I also heard of the deep-dish pizzas and I hope my host family will be able to take me (for one), " he added.

However, like Firdaus, Mohamed is also on a mission to check out the universities for future reference.

As he will be staying at the Northern Illinois University campus, Mohamed said that this was an opportunity to find out the facilities for chemical engineering and material sciences undergraduate studies.

"UK is also on my list, but I play tennis and I was told UK varsities are not high on the rank when it comes to sports compared to US universities," he said. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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