Disclaimer: Being the person that I am, I failed miserably at taking any photographs for this blog post and after waiting a few weeks for Facebook tags I opted to go without those photographs.
As you will all remember, in 2012, I was fortunate enough to
form part of the University of the Free State’s F1 Leadership for Change Programme.
This allowed me and many other students to travel abroad to partnering universities
all over the world for two weeks. Since then, I have filled my days with school
work, heavy nights out and many other mediocre activities.
It is quite evident, that for the past few months, I have
found myself unhappier than I have content. There has been a great desire for
something more; something more satisfying than the reality of my 2015 year.
Now, fast forward to July, 05, 2015, I participated in the University
of the Free State’s Global Leadership Summit (GLS). A programme focused on the
glocal (local and global) perspective of leadership on issues such as complex societies,
citizenship, social justice, reconciliation and sustainable development. This
meant that all our partnering universities came to South Africa and were hosted
by us, but most importantly, it also meant that I was going to have one of the
greatest adventures of my year thus far.
Prior to the GLS,
I expected to learn a bit about the world, to be slighlty challenged and pushed out of my comfort zone and to network with bright, young leaders but I did not expect to learn to learn so much
about myself, my country and the world and make such life changing friendships.
I have learnt that I will never know everything and will
constantly challenge my opinions and ideas about how I see myself, how others
see me and how my perception of the world is only that…a perception- one that
formed by conscious and subconscious messages from the media, my friends and
family and societal ideas and values.
Additionally, I have learnt that my country, continent and the workings of
the world are far more complex than I have ever been made to believe. I now
realize that everything that I know is only a fraction of what is ‘true’ or
rather deemed to be true.
Lastly, I have learnt that the easiest friends to make are
one’s who see the potential that the universe places in their hands. Being
around such a diverse group of liberal, accepting, opinionated leaders has
inspired me to seek more- more from the relationships that I form, more from
the people that I share my life with.
The above is only a small reflection of this wonderful
programme and my experience. I have so much more to share (good and bad) but
fear that if I give away every cherished moment of this GLS, I will be left
with nothing.
It has been just less
than a month since the programme has ended and my life seems rather mundane and
incomplete. Every walk past the Conlaures’ Residence reminds me of late night/
early morning adventures and discussions.
Every bowl of soup reminds me of all those disappointed non-“special
needs” faces at the opening ceremony. Every lecture at the EBW building reminds
me of wonderful naps and great discussions that filled those rooms and every adventure
to “Mystic” or “Die Stoep” is missing far too many faces.
Before taking part in the GLS, I knew that I desired
something more; something more satisfying than the reality of my 2015 year. And
now, post GLS, I realize that there is an even greater desire for something
more.
I am thankful to the University of the Free State for this
great opportunity and programme but, most of all, I am thankful to all the GLS delegates
who shared a bit of themselves with me. I cherish each and every moment and
memory shared with you. I hope that you all realize that you have took a bit of
my heart with you as you have travelled back home and I have no choice but to
come (in the near future) and get every single piece back, county by country.
Sadly, I am trying to return to my ‘ordinary life’ and
forget you all for just a moment so that I am able to find just a little content in my unhappy
and incomplete life.
