Travel makes a world of difference for leadership students
Anna Altwies
Thursday, July 12, 2007
A group of 15 Emporia State University students spent three weeks seeing the world — or at least five countries in it — as a way of sharpening their leadership skills.
The students, along with three faculty advisers, were the first group to travel abroad as part of the university’s new minor in leadership. The group left June 3 and returned to the United States on June 25.
Pat Neufeld, an associate professor in counselor education, helped prepare the trip with Mary Shively, coordinator of the school’s Leadership Education and Development department. Neufeld said that not all of the students were crazy about the idea at first, but that all of them found it worthwhile after returning home.
“On a number of occasions during our debriefing, I would ask students, ‘Why do you need to know this?’” Neufeld said. “Their answers were truly profound. They were critical thinkers who could clearly articulate the need for awareness.”
The group traveled to six different cities and five different countries beginning with London and then heading to Tallinn and Tartu in Estonia; Krakow, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria and then back to London to fly back to the United States.
After three weeks with 14 other students who quickly became close friends, Willie Banks said the best part of the trip for him was the people — both the group and the natives of the countries he visited.
“Everyone seemed nice to us and were more than willing to help us when needed,” Banks said. “The group I [hung out with were] the explorers of the big group, so we were always trying to find something to do. At times we would be lost, and when we would ask for directions, the natives were very much inclined to help us.”
The students and sponsors ran across a lot of different cultures, creeds and colors of people while on their trip. Each place they went had a new perspective and, other than London, a different language which was an interesting experience for everyone.
The purpose of this leadership experience was for each individual who went to broaden their knowledge and comfort ability as a leader in different situations.
“By watching how others interacted on the trip, I know something not to do,” said 2007 graduate Shane Britt. “I have learned that communication is the key to being a great leader, [and] that includes listening. I have seen people that have lost everything and built their lives all over again. Taking their motivation and perseverance and applying it to my life will help me become a better person and leader.”
As a sponsor and advisor for the trip, Neufeld gained a different perspective of leadership. Although she grew as a leader herself, she said, she was amazed at watching the students mature in their leadership skills.
“I was not only proud [of them], but I felt privileged to be a part of such a wonderful group of students,” she said. “I called everyone’s parents and let the parents know that I not only enjoyed getting to know their child, but felt that the next generation was on their way to providing strong leadership in many professions.”
“I appreciate things a lot more,” junior business major Michelle Hernandez said. “I am also a lot more aware of my leadership actions. I think about what effect my actions have before doing something. Going on this trip was one of the best decisions I have ever made.”