An Insight From Jake

There have been times on this trip that I’ve wanted to go home. It’s not easy to leave home for 23 days and embark on this kind of journey. A lot of these speakers bring up the same issues and it feels like we’re learning the same lessons over and over again. Living with no privacy for 23 days inevitably results in frequent arguments and “storms.” People have said things they shouldn’t have said, myself included. I have learned from this trip to watch what I say and choose my words more carefully. I have learned not to judge people, rather to accept and look for the good in people. This is something I didn’t understand before Cultural Leadership. Behind all this madness, however, is reason. As I look through my notebook and at pictures, I’ve realized how much we’ve learned. Beyond the knowledge that we’ve gained, we have learned so much about ourselves. Learning about myself was the most important thing to me on this trip. So yes, it’s been hot, we’ve been jam-packed with speakers, and there has been arguments. This trip is not perfect. But behind all this madness is reason. As we near the end of our journey, I’m starting to realize how much we have learned. For me, maybe it just takes a little longer to sync in and realize how fortunate I am to be a part of this program. When I get home, there will be many things that I will miss about this entire experience. I am so glad I had this opportunity, and though I didn’t know what I was getting myself into—I would do it all over again in a second. Thank you.