The psychology behind the teens\u2019 program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Navigating the tumultuous teenage years is a universal rite of passage. It\u2019s filled with emotional upheaval, physical changes, and a quest for identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This pressure can take quite a toll. In fact, one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds globally experiences a mental health condition<\/a>, according to a 2021 report by the World Health Organization. This can often leave them \u201cvulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health, and human rights violations<\/em>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Adolescence is a challenge in any generation, no matter if it\u2019s the 1320s or the 2020s. Teens have (and probably will always) grappled with evolving societal pressures, academic expectations, and trying to carve their path to independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that\u2019s exactly why the Youth Program at Mindvalley University exists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s really magical because it gives you access to the wisdom of people who are a little bit older but also the creativity and the energy of the children<\/em>,\u201d Gigi says. \u201cAnd so, it becomes a really magical space to learn from each other<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n At its core, the program prioritizes aspects of personal development for kids and teens<\/a>. Each workshop is turned into an engaging game, making the experience productive as well as enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s similar to already-existing teen summer programs but grounded in research. A 2020 study found that turning learning into a game can really help teens remember more<\/a>, making their transition into adulthood smoother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the Mindvalley for Teens program isn\u2019t all about how to learn better. It\u2019s also about, as Gigi explains, connecting better. And with so many people coming in from around the world, the space allows kids to connect with others of different backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From the Mindvalley for Kids<\/a> workshops to the one designed for teens, every aspect of the Youth Program aims to empower, enlighten, and entertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for what\u2019s in store for them each year at Mindvalley University, the program schedule continuously evolves with fresh ideas and dynamic experiences. Here\u2019s a list of some of the exciting programs they\u2019ve enjoyed in previous years:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe idea is to get them exposed to conscious tools in ways that they can use<\/em>,\u201d says Gigi. It was about helping teens learn to use technology mindfully to enhance their lives instead of controlling them. In turn, they were able to be more intentional in their digital habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The teens were encouraged to dive into problem-solving and innovative thinking as well as to tackle challenges with creativity and grit. By instilling a mindset of resilience and adaptability, they learned how to see setbacks not as failures but as opportunities for growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The upcoming generation is living in a world that is online and offline. This workshop taught them how to express themselves and their creative ideas in the digital realm and equipped them with the tools to create authentic, engaging content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether they were interested in social media, video production, or blogging, they gained practical skills to share their voice with the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It goes without saying that embracing our unique qualities and quirks is important. It fosters a healthier self-image and promotes emotional well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Through affirmations<\/a>, mindfulness meditations, and reflective exercises, this program encouraged teens to appreciate their individuality. It fostered emotional well-being and helped them understand that true confidence comes from within.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This session delved into the different ways our brains work, helping teens develop empathy for the diverse ways people think, learn, and experience the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By understanding neurodiversity, they cultivated tolerance, inclusivity, and a greater sense of belonging, both for themselves and their peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mindvalley for Teens program brought in renowned speakers to empower participants to develop confidence and a growth mindset. Notable, inspirational figures like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These thought leaders provided valuable insights into various aspects of personal and professional growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No Mindvalley event was complete without its signature, curated gatherings. From parties to performances and concerts, the Mindvalley University experience was centered around connection and joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And because Mindvalley University is family-centric, \u201ceverything<\/em>,\u201d says Gigi, \u201cis kid-friendly<\/em>.\u201d Teens who enter the realm of Mindvalley leave with a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. It\u2019s kind of like witnessing a plot twist in a good book\u2014one that leaves you grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s take Kristopher Delacoeur<\/a>, a participant from the United States of America, for example. He says, “As a teen, I picked going to the adult lectures instead of the teen group<\/em>,” adding that because he’s nearing the end of high school, his focus is starting his own career. And he noted that the Mindvalley roundup helped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Santiago Rafael Pascual<\/a>, it was more about the connections. He explains that each of the relationships he made at Mindvalley University “is stronger than my biological family<\/em>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n “Each conversation here has made me a better person, and the environments help us maintain and remind that new versions of us<\/em>,” he says. “Thanks for healing the world through the unity of the soul family<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n And RuLeecia Rohbock<\/a> couldn’t agree more. She says, “It’s pretty ingrained in us that we need to go to college <\/a>right after high school. So even though I would have the grants and scholarships to go to a traditional college, I chose to come to Mindvalley University for the time being and explore non-traditional ways of education<\/em>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Vishen,](\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2024\/09\/fdabd091-mindvalley-u-teens-mvu-tallinn-2024-mms78768-photo-by-mardo-mannimagi.webp\")
What teens will be learning at Mindvalley University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conscious use of technology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Entrepreneurship<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Digital content creation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Self-acceptance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Neurodiversity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Speaker sessions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Community<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It was all about the experience, after all. And it was these experiences that brought the most happiness<\/a> when enjoyed with kindred spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTeens\u2019 transformation at Mindvalley University<\/h2>\n\n\n\n