It all started back at our own schools, walking through the student centers when something about that bright blue sign that read L.E.A.D. caught our eye. For most of us, we were immediately sold before we even knew what L.E.A.D. stood for and it was the best decisions of our lives.
To my fellow “classmates”: Somebody once told us, “Don’t just go, LEAD!” I think it is safe to say, we came and we led and now we are ready to GO home and LEAD. We each know more about ourselves than we ever thought was possible; we have been encouraged by our own strengths but each other’s as well. We left our mark everywhere we went whether it was in the cage in the Atlantic Ocean, at the green market, or at our favorite restaurant. We have laughed so hard we nearly wet our pants. We ate enough Wang Thai to keep that place running for 13 more years. We made a purchase at every single vendor at Old Biscuit Mill, every single Saturday. We became better bargainers at the green market. We got bruised rear ends from riding those elephants. We got to see EXACTLY how an Ostrich gets rid of waste. We cheered for the Stormers more than we have ever cheered for our own SEC football teams that we love so much. We have been the reason for hundreds of smiles in Sir Lowry’s pass. We have touched the Indian Ocean. We now have a vision. We have hiked Table Mountain. We have crawled from pub to pub. We have seen the best sunset in the world. We have bungyed off a bridge. We have developed a great obsession with a cab driver. We have 100 new best friends. I could go one for years but the moral of the story is, we have done it all, and done it right. Always remember: “You can’t go home again.”
To our parents: Thank ya’ll for allowing us to leave you for 5 weeks and come to this place we now adore. For some of us, without y’all’s support, we would not have had this opportunity of a lifetime. I am still trying to decide exactly how I am going to show my thankfulness and repay my sweet parents. I will go ahead and thank ya’ll in advance for the encouragement to keep leading when we return.
To the Global L.E.A.D staff: Robbie, Court, Jo Jo, Dustin, Preston and Matt, y’all are simply incredible. Y’all are clearly doing something right. You have pushed us, making the sky our limit. You have encouraged us and loved on us like you have known us our whole life. Y’all are the reason that we have become better leaders, better friends, better lovers, and better servers. My prayer is that others will notice a difference in us so that in return we can point them to Global L.E.A.D. For y’all as well, I do not know how I will ever repay y’all. Thank you for working so hard for a year to prepare for us.
To the prospective student that is unsure of where to study abroad: If you had the opportunity to not just go but LEAD, why would you consider anything other than? My best advice for you is to do it like us, don’t ask questions, and most importantly GO and LEAD. Even if you have to start saving up now, do it. Go Global L.E.A.D, or don’t go at all.
I am ecstatic and anxious to be the change I wish to see in my community back home. I cannot wait to light another candle and fill more buckets. I have seen the indescribable reward in “doing for one what you wish you could do for all”. I am thankful. I have a permanent smile on my face because of this life changing opportunity in Cape Town, South Africa.
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