Thank you for a moving and provocative experience- and for democratizing the U.N.H.Q. (United Nations Headquarters)

I had the pleasure of speaking with the very delightful Human (Hooman) Amiri – a 23 year old Art painting Student at the University of Tehran. What a cutie patootie!! I was taken aback by how easily we connected – what an amazing experience! Human told me about his “girlfriend” and that he was really excited about the future of their relationship as a typical older Iranian woman, even though I was born and raised in the USA. I naturally fell into the position of giving relationship advice! I was almost embarrassed that I felt it my place to chime in – but he was ecstatic! Continuing to tell me that he bought her a nice gift for her birthday almost in hopes of my praise and approval! How endearing and cute! His innocence and passion came through us vividly and were so symbolic of what I love and admire about Iranian people and youth in particular. The time seemed to go by way too fast and perhaps the encounter was so sweet because of its rapidly fleeting moments. We exchanged contacts and I told Human I expected an invitation to his wedding! Ending by giving him a comfortably characteristic pep talk – ensuring him that his drive, spunk and kind demeanor will get him far. Whether in his goals for his art and painting career or his relationship with his current love interest. Human had not expected an Iranian American on the other side of the portal and I had expected to disappoint my Iranian counterpart by being a “boring Iranian”. But in reality we were both (at least I think he was too) very pleasantly surprised! I look forward to keeping in touch. Thank you to the beautifully artistic and interestingly “human” experience. I can’t wait until there is a beautiful Golden Portal in every city around the world. Here’s one step closer to a more unified, tight knit, loving world and human race. To Human!

As a senior at Georgetown, I’ve been reflecting a lot on how conversations have been the defining part of my college experience. This conversation is certainly one I’ll remember, even if it was only fifteen minutes. Muwaz and I broke the ice by discovering a lot of things we have in common – we’re both attending university far from home, we both care about access to education, and we’re both 22-year-olds unsure of exactly what course our lives will take. But as we got talking, I also realized that he had had many experiences I never will. He was sent to Pakistan when he was nine to work on a construction site and he worked as a translator for foreign troops in Afghanistan. These moments of difference were uncomfortable for me, not because they surprised me necessarily, but because I realized that despite 22 years of interacting with people different than me, I still don’t always know the best way to respond – support? consolation? more questions? I’m reminded of a quote by anthropologist Clyde Kluckhohn (or something like that) that says, in essence, “Everyone is the same, some people are the same, no one is the same”. We’re all human, we’re all part of a culture, and we’re all individuals – all at the same time! Thanks, Portal team and Merwaz reminding me of that. H F

It amazes me just how universal hip-hop has become. Here in America it was originally created as a means to express ourselves despite the forces oppressing us. Blacks had few ways to convey their thoughts publicly so we confused creativity with passion in hopes that the words in our hearts would be felt. Today I spoke with a man on the other side of the world who said that positive hip-hop is blooming where he lives in Afghanistan. It’s inspirational to say the least. I’m honored to be able to share my voice with the world. This portal is a gift, a treasure in time that I feel will one day be incredibly impacting! Javier S

It changed the issues currently facing our world so much more real. This experience will stay with me forever, maybe for positive pleasure but also negative reasons from my own misconceptions. This changed me. I am so grateful for this deeply unique experience.

Fantastic concept + flawless execution – felt like I was really in the room with Syed, we chatted about work – he’s an app developer, and had some good insight as well about the NGO development community in Herat, where I have very little knowledge. It was humbling to hear about his displacement – twice – by war. Thankful that things seem quite a bit calmer in Herat. I think this sort of connection – physically + emotionally – is exceedingly rare and something I will cherish. In peace, Aaron

Wow! It was like being there. The Star Trek teleporting peace is possible if we all speak.

It is a jarring and real experience.

When asked if I had a question, I wasn’t sure where to start… too many things to learn. And it was the same for the Iraqi teenagers and their fathers to whom we spoke. We discussed culture, geography, education, politics, economics, religion and ISIS. Most importantly, we laughed from our hearts, because we connected. We got their message and now will find ways to act. Thank you!

As the translator, this was an amazing and the most eye-opening conversation I’ve had in so long. As an Iraqi refugee in the US, it meant so much for me to be the connection between regular American citizens and Iraqi people. This is exactly what we need today to start the conversation and to help the American public understands a little more about Iraq and the Iraqi people. Love portal! Taif

Thank you to the cute guys we met! Best first date ever. Glad to hear about your experiences. Lots of love, Tatiana.

Intimate – awkward – human – blessed. What a wonderful experience!! I was drawn to this because I realize that small “inconsequential” moments between people have the immeasurable capacity to bind us together. Not all that can be counted counts  – and much that cannot be counted very much counts. This very much counts. I wanted to reach out and touch my stranger in the portal – but was so grateful for the chance to connect. What would make his day better? coffee and more time to spend on his own. Me? Solving a problem for a ?? – where there is no perfect solution. All so human! I am so grateful to be a small mustard seed in what I hope will flourish in its own organic way. Thanks so much.

Just as importantly, our employees have been able to connect to others to help bring outside-the-box thinking and drive innovation as well as get inspired as they think about their personal and professional paths.

As College Chaplain I’m really interested in helping people explore their humanity and building bridges across differences. Connecting with other people on a deep level allows us to develop our humanity and understanding. I think this project has been really successful in delivering this aim.

Inside the portal, time and place fade away. I met Susan, a budding fashion designer who love her friends. She is inspired by art and music and the TV show 2 broke girls. It felt like we were in the same strange room, existing in a place other than where we physically were. I’m so grateful to have had this experience. Thank you for giving us this opportunity. Caroline A

Last night, prior to entering the portal, I spoke to a friend about what I was doing today and he led me to a chat website, Omegle, were somewhat similarly to portal strangers meet. Unlike portal, they meet for a variety of different motives, some flashing, in an altogether different concept. Not much respect, lots of inappropriate things, sex, trash talk etc. With portal, the medium itself is of far more interest. Internet communications have allowed people to do this for years, but the context of the internet leads for a centre of profanity. By removing this technology from that context and placing it in “art” and making a physical space, Portal invents a purer experience.

I don’t know that I am ready to write about this experience yet but I know that I will be thinking about my conversation for a long time. My first portals conversation was with a twenty-something man who had just finished his military service – two years are required to obtain a passport therefore leave the country. Our conversation followed a surprising turn where he began by saying he would turn his back on all Iran but he ended by acknowledging the aspects of his life. My second portals conversation was with Mahsa...

Dear Portal, I have been sitting by your side for the last two weeks, listening to the thoughts of all the people who have shared in your experience: passersby, students, professors, lawyers, artists, children and even a snorty bulldog named Winnie. It has been such a gift to be witness to a growing, maturing, loving way of being in this young world. I felt different. I feel bigger and smaller at the same time, knowing how I was a part of Herat, a place I have never been, for this short time. And those on the other side, I feel such camaraderie for them! What will I do without Omid and Said every morning? I know this time has made a difference hundreds on people's’ lives, me being one of them. I want to go visit Afghanistan! Keep doing what you do, because it is important and it works. I’ll miss you, but hopefully I will see you later! Love

Amazing, incredible profoundly beautiful and connective experience. This is a terribly important art exhibit that instantly breaks down the arbitrary barriers that we put up between cultures and people. This is exactly what social media technology should be used for. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous bridge that I hope to see crossing more boundaries in the future. I am grateful and honored to be part of this art exhibit.