This winter break, I had the opportunity to attend TCNJ's Leadershape Institute Program. I applied back in October, and sort of forgot about it until the coming weeks leading up to the program! As the days ventured closer, I began to get nervous. I had a few acquaintances I knew going on the trip too, but I did not really have any friends going, nor any clue about the program itself. A few of my friends who went last year told me how amazing it was and I blindly trusted them.
Upon arriving at the hotel we stayed at, my first thought was, "what did I do that was so good to deserve to stay here?" Hands down, the nicest hotel I ever have been to. We were literally right on the beach and the smells of seashells wafted throughout the room. I met my roommate and then went down to the main conference room area to meet the rest of the 60 TCNJ students I would embark upon this journey with.
From the get-go, I met so many people oddly similar to me. One guy literally grew up on the street across from the street that my mom grew up on in her hometown, and another girl I met had the same major and minors as me. I felt a connection to these people immediately even in the midst of awkward ice breakers. The leaders then divided us into family clusters of ten students that we would spend the majority of our time with.
As the days passed, I got really close with my family cluster and we began working on our visions, or desires and plans to change the world. I loved hearing about others' passions as well as voicing mine on gun violence in schools. We worked on press releases and had some simulations and skits to learn from as well. By the third night, everyone was staying up way too late playing fun games and getting to know each other. It was amazing how we all felt like we had known each other for years when we just had met a few days prior.
By the last day of the program, I did not want to leave. As a homebody, it was weird not calling home everyday and doing my routine. I miss the daily walks on the beach during sunrise, runs with my friends along the beautiful bungalow streets, and daily doses of Shirley Temples with dinner. I miss laughing and learning with everyone. However this was a truly inspiring experience and I am so thankful for it! If you ever have the chance, you should take it, this experience will change your life.
