We have officially passed the halfway mark of the program and our stay in Washington D.C. No one could have predicted it would go by so quickly, but after an amazing and extremely informative three weeks in D.C, we’re halfway home. Still, at times this entire experience feels like a dream and I pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. It has been a phenomenal three weeks in D.C. I have never learnt and grew so much in a personal, professional and leadership capacity, as I am sure the rest of the team have. What has been most outstanding is the extraordinary young leaders I have met in the Washington-Ireland Program (WIP) and New Story Leadership (NSL) group. When I interact with my SAWIP team, WIP and NSL, I feel absolute confidence that the future is bright. I have learnt immensely from my fellow SAWIP team mates and shared with them life changing moments. On all our discussion and dialogues I have come to realise my role and purpose within SAWIP and the world as a whole. I have learnt to develop, nurture and educate myself toward the responsibility that has been placed upon me.

This experience, though extremely exciting, has been most uncomfortable, but this I believe has been a good thing. I believe it’s a good thing because it’s a sign to me that I’m busy growing, I’m internally being shaped and formed by my experiences and it’s uncomfortable, because of the growth it stimulates. I don’t believe anyone of us on the team has been at all comfortable. If we were this entire experience would have been worthless. I feel grateful and honored to be a part of this program and realise not only is the future in good hands, but so am I.