Going into my application for being a Laidlaw research scholar, I was looking for some extra money to travel, and to feed my interest for research. I had no idea how Laidlaw would go on to shape me as a researcher, leader, and a person as a whole. 

My research experience for summer 1, taught me that perhaps research is not the career for me. I enjoyed having the freedom and opportunity to pursue a thesis that I was passionate about, but after months of work I did lose the joy of the work. I learned how valuable research skills are in all aspects of life. I got comfortable with making important decisions, and also dealing with bureaucracy. For the first time (with the help of my supervisors) I was completely held to my own standards, deadlines, and quality-control. I, overall, did enjoy the experience, even though it was the most stressful part of my time as a Laidlaw scholar - with many days spent staring and yelling at a computer screen. 

The leadership sessions, and Oxford Ethical Leadership portions of the program were definitely my least favourite aspects of Laidlaw. This is probably because they were most similar to schoolwork/classes. It took away from the independence that I enjoy in the research and LiA. That being said, I did learn the most throughout these experiences, and I loved getting to work collaboratively with my cohort. I gained an appreciation for self-reflection and awareness. I now understand a lot more about my personal values, strengths, and potential weaknesses within leadership. Going forward, I want to further develop my leadership and continue to implement strategies like journaling and intentional introspection in my life. 

My international experience was a part of my LiA, where I went to Dakar, Senegal. This was a completely new environment. The experience was made easier, because I had the opportunity to stay with some family friends that live here. I worked with a local social entrepreneurship business called Imadi World. My time in Dakar, taught me a lot, most notably I learned how to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Often, people did not understand me, nor did I know exactly what was going on, but I had to quickly adapt. My LiA made me an even more flexible leader, as I had to constantly overcome personal anxieties and also external challenges. 

The most meaningful thing I will take from Laidlaw, is the connections and relationships I have made with people. Working with my supervisors alone, has taught me so much about how to interact and work in academia meaningfully. Friendships with my fellow scholars has taught me about the hard work and benefit of research throughout other disciplines (not just environmental science!). Within my LiA, I gained a newfound respect for cultural differences, and how to find friends in the most unlikely of places. Overall, I have the privilege of being offered a multitude of opportunities and hopefully lifelong friendships that extend outside the time constraint of the Laidlaw program. 

Looking forward, I want to continue to practise and grow as a leader in both my personal and professional life. I have found new value in having a globalised perspective. I don't want to make any concrete claims about what I want to do in the future, in my career, and life in general. What I do know is that I will continue to develop my leadership skills, and prioritise collaboration, friendships, and reflection. I strive to be a globally aware citizen, and leader. I will take my passions for environmental conservation, and my love of learning to hopefully make as much positive change as I can to the world and people around me. The Laidlaw experience has laid down the foundation for me to actively achieve these goals and incorporate the workload necessary into my life moving forward.