Route J-1

By Linda Haglund, J-1 Intern from Finland

Linda Haglund (giving the thumbs up) with her fellow I-LEAD leadership training students at American University.

Something has happened to me, and I have changed. I’m stronger, more confident and more hopeful about the future. I’m happier, more open and more in the present than I’ve been in the past. I have 60 new friends from 30 different countries. And I feel it in my bones: I can do anything!

My week in Washington, D.C. has made me a new person, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that the leadership training I-LEAD 2016 was one of the best and finest experiences I’ve ever had.

Sixty delegates from 30 countries were selected from the J-1 Intern program and gathered for six days at American University in Washington, and I had a chance to be a part of it. We learned so much about each other, about ourselves, about leadership, about teamwork, about finding your passion and daring to follow it.

“What do we expect from you? Greatness!” – James P. Pellow, CEO of CIEE #ILEADDC Thank you @CIEEstudyabroad @cieeusa pic.twitter.com/S7Q7IQAsr2

— Linda Haglund (@LindHaglund) May 16, 2016

I will never forget the connections that I made during these days. And I will never forget the important lessons that I learned. I-LEAD 2016 in DC will be on my thoughts for a long time to come.

The best part of the week in Washington was definitely the people that I met there. All the people that attended the seminar were young and ambitious. We gathered with a common goal: to grow together and to create a better world.

During the week we got the chance to work with each other, learn about leadership skills and hear several inspirational speeches. James P. Pellow, CEO of CIEE and one of the organizers of the seminar, showered us with motivation. When one of the delegates asked James what he expects from us, he answered that he expects greatness! I remember feeling a tickle in my stomach when he said that.

Mentor Dida, one of the organizers of I-LEAD 2016, spoke to us about his own childhood in Kosovo, about his time in the United States and about how you should proceed when you have a good idea that you want to bring to life. Mentor was also great at creating good energy within the group. When he saw that we were tired after a long, long day, he got us to jump, dance and laugh together. Thank you Mentor for giving us so much of yourself and teaching me to see life from new perspectives.

Mentor Dida, one of the organizers of I-LEAD 2016

I learned more than I could ever have hoped for during my week in Washington. A big thank you to everyone who participated, attended, and organized this event. You have made me a better, stronger and more confident person. I now have the tools I need to follow my dreams, and I will never forget the friendships that blossomed during the wonderful week of I-LEAD 2016 in Washington, D.C.

Read more about Linda Haglund’s experience at I-LEAD 2016 on her blog La Vida Linda.

Categories: Program Spotlight