My past year has been uplifted to new heights! on August 7th I embarked on a journey to Stanford University in California to attend the People to People Student Ambassador Leadership Summit. From the 7th to the 15th I stayed in a Stanford dorm room and learned extensively about leadership, college, and the world. I have raised over the previous year over $2,900 through bake sales and selling my own poetry to raise the money!
Over one hundred young leaders attended this summit with me. Nearly thirty of them were from South Africa, about ten were from Nigeria, ten from China and another ten from Korea and Japan. Not to mention a few from Alaska and Mexico. The diversity and culture they brought with them raised the entire experience to a new level. I had an amazing adventure. .
On the first day I met my roommates Cody from Hawaii, Roman from Bakersfield, California, Ben from Idaho, and Jeff from Korea. Over the week we came to be good friends. At dinner we learned from guest speaker Sunjay Nash. He spoke on leadership and a quote I gleaned from his speech is “A leader is the best he or she can be and encourages others to follow.”
Then on Monday we went out in the foggy San Francisco weather to a ropes course. We climbed thirty feet in the air, walked along a tightrope between two trees, and zip lined down. In addition, we were faced with a challenge: we had to cross a gap of ten feet with two six-foot boards within twenty minutes.
But there was a twist! If the boards touched the ground, we suffered a penalty. Our group of ten had to chose a leader and they chose me! Through that experience I learned to listen to the suggestions of others and execute their ideas, for a leader is nothing without followers. A girl named Mikayla from South Africa suggested we leverage the boards. That turned out to be the key to success. We were the only group able to cross the gap in twenty minutes.
Then on day four, we learned how to serve the community. We traveled to a food packaging facility named Alameda Packaging in the city that provided food for needy San Francisco citizens. It felt great helping people with along with my friends. We packaged 2,500 pounds of spaghetti and beans in three hours. Also, we finalized community service action plans that we were to present the next day.
Day five was a great day! It was when we went into the city! Our tour began at the Fisherman’s Wharf where we ate at a local eatery called Bubba Gumps. We could see the Pacific Ocean and Alcatraz Island through the window! Then we traveled to the Golden Gate Bridge a fantastic structure. Last but not least, we drove through the steep streets and wide alleys of San Fran, ending at the beautiful Lombard Street before returning to Stanford.
Above all, the last day was my favorite. In the morning we woke up at seven as usual, but dressed in suit and tie to present our community service action plan. Mine was called Leadership in Readership and brings teenagers in my community together to read to younger children.
After we finished the hard work, it was time to party! Over one hundred of us traveled to the bay and boarded a luxury yacht. We took a mesmerizing voyage along the bayside. From the boat’s wraparound windows, I could see San Francisco glittering in sunlight. We passed the Fisherman’s Wharf and traveled under the Golden Gate Bridge. As we headed back in the evening, the lights of the city glittered like stars. The best part was the dance floor on the lower deck. I am sure that I’ll remember that day years from now.
As I said goodbye to my new friends on Saturday and left Stanford, I came to understand the true meaning of this program. I now have made friends with people all over the world and understand their way of life. The purpose of this was to build connections with people and I am grateful I was able to do so
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
1 Reply to “Stanford Trip”
Comment on this article
This enthusiastic blog provides a huge list of 51 varied and exciting summer vacation ideas for families, offering options from theme parks to national parks both near and far.
Absolutely love the insights you’ve shared in this blog!
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
wow
Great read! I really appreciated the insights you shared—especially the way you broke things down in a clear and relatable way. Looking forward to more content like this. Keep up the great work!
Traveling to Aruba promises an unforgettable escape. From white-sand beaches to clear turquoise waters, this Caribbean gem invites you to create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sense of adventure!
Thanks very nice blog!
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you penning this write-up plus the rest of the site is very good.
This article was very informative thank you!
For the people that are planning to go to Aruba, I would also suggest this website: https://canitravel.net/countries/aruba . I used it last month when I went to Aruba and it always had up-to-date travel restrictions. I hope this helps 🙂
Nice post!
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks
for the post. I will definitely comeback.
This is such helpful information! Traveling with minors can get complicated, and having all the required documents ready makes the process so much smoother. Thanks for breaking it down so clearly!
Great blog! I really enjoyed reading it. The way you explained everything in such simple and clear words made it easy to follow. Sometimes blogs can get too technical or confusing, but this one was straight to the point and very helpful.
I got good info from your blog
Keep working ,great job!
I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
I had the chance to experience Denmark during the Christmas season, and it’s something I’ll always hold close to my heart. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen felt like stepping into a storybook. The way the entire park was dressed in soft, glowing lights, handmade decorations, and the comforting scent of mulled wine in the air made every moment feel special.
There’s a unique warmth about this place that isn’t just from the cocoa or winter drinks, but from the people, the laughter, and the little traditions scattered around every corner. Watching families gather, children’s faces light up at the sight of the reindeer, and the simple joy of wandering through beautifully decorated stalls reminded me how lovely the holiday season can be.
It’s not just about the decorations or the rides — it’s the feeling of togetherness, the calm, and the way time seems to slow down so you can really take in the small, meaningful moments. I left with a heart full of good memories and a deep appreciation for the charm and kindness of Danish traditions.
If you ever get the chance to visit, I promise it’s a place that will stay with you long after you’ve left.
The article is full of information , thanks for such a good knowledge.
This article is incredibly informative and well-structured. It offers clear, practical guidance on a topic many travelers often overlook—traveling with minors. The detailed breakdown of required documents and the emphasis on consent letters provide much-needed clarity for parents and guardians planning a trip. A must-read for anyone traveling with children!
Great article! I completely agree with your points.
Keep up the good work
Excellent post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic?
I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Thanks!
Hi, yes this post is genuinely nice and I have learned lot of things from it concerning blogging. thanks.
Excellent post! I found your analysis both engaging and informative. Well done.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this web site. Thanks, I will try and check back more often. How frequently you update your web site?
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything like this before. So good to search out anyone with some unique thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the internet!
Thank you for such praise, I am glad I could present the material in a way that made you want to see and experience St. Augustine’s Black history for yourself.
Of course, this beach town has lots more to offer but if you are willing to walk the lanes and dig a little bit, the history of the first Blacks and how much they contributed to protecting the colony is fascinating.
Hope you get there and enjoy your trip.
Your trip sounds absolutely incredible! Lisbon is truly a magical city, and your experience during the EuroCup must have made it even more special. If anyone reading this is planning a trip to Lisbon, I highly recommend taking a free walking tour to explore the city’s rich history, charming streets, and hidden gems with a local guide. You can check out this great option: https://www.guruwalk.com/lisbon. It’s a fantastic way to get an insider’s perspective on the city!
It’s iin reality a great and helpful piece oof info.
I’m satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing
Great content for cruise lovers !! One of the most advantage of cruising is you do not have to pick your luggages every day , and every day you discover a new country. Although one day is not enough to see everything it gives an idea about a country ! With my experience since 2007, 99,9% of my guest said that Kusadasi/Turkey is their favorite port among all the other ports. Because we have a lot of options for every traveler. The most popular places , if your ship is docking at Kusadasi, is Ephesus ancient city which is only 25 min. drive away. Ephesus was the 4th largest ancient city of the world in 2 c AD.Most of the ruins are reconstructed and gives an idea about Roman’ glorious times. If you ever visit Ephesus, I suggest you to see Terrace Houses , where the rich were living and houses are decorated with beautiful mosaics and frescoes from 3rd c AD.If you want to add a spiritual break , thats House of Virgin Mary is there. It is believed that she was taken by St. John the apostle to there.Another place you must see Ephesus Museum.. Forget all that boring museums you have seen . While guiding , I explain the most interesting artifacts , including original staue of Artemis. BTW. did you know that one of seven wonders of ancient world was located there? Well… not so much left , but it is still worth to be seen. If you ever visit Kusadasi,and want to have private tour, please feel free to contact with me ! I am very happy to answer your questions and customize your trip to Ephesus. Please visit my website,not only for Ephesus trip but also to get an idea about my beloved country Turkey/Turkiye. You can see different types of tours that I organize. Archaeological , culinary or lets customize your tour to Turkey together!! luxurytoursofturkey.com/