About one and a half months ago, I left the United States to travel across the world to India. While there, I saw, heard, felt, read, learned, and experienced so many new and different things! Entering into the program, I was ecstatic to further develop myself and experience a place totally different from anything I had experienced before. I looked forward to class sessions focused on leadership philosophy, experiencing Indian culture, and trying multiday trekking for the first time.

Starting with the class sessions, I found them effective at revealing how different people have varied approaches to problems. For example, while I often prefer to jump in and start trying solutions, other team members preferred extensive planning before beginning. This was crucial to learn about prior to the trek when we would have to work as a team to solve real problems. The class sessions were also useful in promoting the use of feedback as a tool for team growth, which I now think is vital in all team settings.

My next goal was to experience Indian culture. This was the goal that I feel was least met. The study abroad group and I spent most of our time at the Hanifl Center, part of the larger Woodstock school for grades up through high school. It is an expensive boarding school for well-off families, as well as a number of refugees and individuals who receive scholarships. The town we were in, Mussoorie, felt equally out of touch. It is a touristy town that people from other parts of India come to vacation during the hot summer months. Furthermore, we only had two free days while in Mussoorie with enough time to go to town, which was a long shopping strip. Our two main instructors were supposed to give us insight into Indian life, but their experiences were far from those of a typical Indian. They are both outdoor instructors who teach half the year in the US/outside India. We also spent some time in Delhi, where we had only 30 minutes to explore the city, and a half-day in Agra where we visited the Taj Mahal (which was lovely) but were also subjected to a heavily pushed sales pitch. On the positive side, we visited two small villages during the ten-day trek, which was fascinating, and I had the opportunity to meet some inspiring acid attack survivors.

My goal of experiencing trekking was mostly met. I had gone camping before but had never walked more than a few hundred feet from car to campsite. This was a totally different experience! For the first few days, we really pushed ourselves and covered great distances. It was tough, but I enjoyed the challenge. However, during the last three or so days of the trek, we covered much less ground, with some days involving less than an hour of actual hiking. I wish the pace had been spread out more evenly. I did enjoy learning how to camp ethically and sustainably through Leave No Trace principles, although the instructors only covered the first four of the seven principles. Overall, I learned a lot of camping skills during the trek, but it could have been even more beneficial with more structured learning components.

My largest area of growth from the trip is my ability to work with others. Different people react differently to the same stimuli, so it is important to understand people when making decisions. This understanding has deepened my appreciation for teamwork and collaboration, essential skills for any leader. I learned that effective communication and mutual respect are crucial in any group setting. Being exposed to diverse perspectives and problem-solving approaches has made me more adaptable and empathetic. I now recognize the importance of patience and active listening, especially when leading a team with varying viewpoints and preferences. These experiences have not only enhanced my leadership abilities but have also prepared me to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics in future professional and personal endeavors. Understanding and valuing the unique contributions of each team member can lead to more innovative solutions and a stronger, more cohesive group.