From my Laidlaw summer experience, I have been able to expand my academic understanding of the psychology of trauma as well as my personal growth. I have gained deeper insight into how trauma manifests in daily life, the process of healing of trauma, and resilience. Conducting interviews with the women in Bhaktapur who now have their own shops, and hearing their stories about their experience with domestic violence, was an enriching experience to learn more about trauma and women empowerment simultaneously. Through designing a three-month-long training workshop for the Women Foundation Nepal, I have developed a deeper appreciation for culturally informed, trauma-sensitive approaches to healing. I have also improved my ability to communicate with empathy across language and culture, which has been a very valuable skill that I have developed.
One of the most impactful people I met during this summer experience is the President of the organization, President Upreti. From our very first meeting, I was inspired by hearing her personal story and motivation for the organization, as well as her deep knowledge on the systemic challenges that women face alongside the emotional complexity of supporting survivors of DV. Her ability to lead with both clarity and compassion was especially wonderful to see, as she was able to gracefully balance both logistical demands of the organization as well as the emotional support for the residents, staff, and volunteers. President Upreti not only talks about empowerment, but also gracefully embodies it in the way that she holds space for people’s stories and creates paths for others to lead.
Seeing President Upreti’s leadership has reshaped how I envision leadership for my own future. I now see leadership as something highly relational and rooted in care for all people. Compassion and empathy are both incredibly powerful aspects of good and effective leadership. From her, I have learned that strong leadership means listening deeply to others and responding thoughtfully. It also means creating space and pathways for others to lead as well. I got a lot of freedom in designing the 3-month-long training workshop, and therefore I was able to also employ leadership within my role. Similarly, the office environment is highly collectivist, with everyone on the team making decisions together. This was highly refreshing to see and something I envision for my future of leadership. This lesson will stay with me not only in how I approach my future work in psychology and counseling, but also in how I show up for people in any setting.