Completing the Laidlaw Scholarship has been instrumental in developing my sense my global citizenship and leadership capacity in that it gave me the tools to be able to confidently take on more opportunities, to put myself out there even when I don't think I have a chance and to form deep connections with people from different backgrounds. 

Working through the scholarship with my cohort has been one of the most important factors in developing a sense of global citizenship in me. The close cohort in Dublin, made up of a good mix of international and Irish students, allowed me to form close relationships with people from different backgrounds. The time spent together, including during LEAD days and the Conference, gave us a chance to learn from each other's different perspectives and to grow in terms of cultural awareness because there was an atmosphere of safety in all interactions, allowing us to be honest and vulnerable with one another. Accompanying this, the LEAD training days and work done outside of the two Summers, equipped me to navigate global scenarios in a manner which is always underlined by ethical leadership - what is the kindest, most compassionate and wisest choice to make here? The LEAD days focused on what brought us together, and celebrated our differences. One key example that always comes to mind is during the Weekend Away, we were discussing different cultural approaches to giving feedback or criticism. Being a South-African, we take a blunt and direct approach to criticism with the idea being that all that matters is the work produced. But I quickly learnt from others around me that this would not only be considered exceptionally rude, but additionally wouldn't be productive in that it would not inspire people from other cultures to take the feedback and improve their work. It taught me that a culturally sensitive approach is necessary, even if its different to how you would naturally approach something. 

Moreover, I feel that the Laidlaw Programme is designed to encourage students to look outwards, by first looking inward at your strengths and areas of improvement. Completing the strengths profile and reviewing it with our supervisor was an extremely productive and helpful experience. It allowed me to reflect on how far I have come since the start of the programme. For example, when I began the programme, my biggest struggle was confidence in networking and approaching people, as well as placing myself in leadership roles even if I knew I was qualified. Through the Laidlaw program, I have learnt that networking is just relationship-building, and I have gained confidence in my skills to approach people and form relationships with them which are meaningful and valuable. I have also learnt to hold a realistic, but positive view of myself and to put myself for leadership roles where I know I can contribute meaningfully. In this way, through the Laidlaw programme, I was able to look inward at the strengths I already had, and the ones I needed to develop - so that I might look outward and focus on where they can be of use. 

Finally, I feel that the Laidlaw Scholarship has completely changed my view on leadership and my role as a leader. Before, I had quite a binary and set view of leadership - its the person who stands on the stage, who can speak eloquently and inspire a crowd. This view was not only limited, but it discouraged me because I never felt like I fit into that box, and also didn't necessarily want to. But through the scholarship, I have learnt that leadership can take all different forms and that the underlying principle is to step up when you are needed and where you have something positive to contribute. The LEAD days and Oxford Ethical leadership programme also taught me that leadership is not a role to be assigned, but rather an attitude to adopt which focuses on looking outward and being of service to others. In this way, I am now positioned to look at every aspect of my life and areas I'm involved in and ask: how can I help? What do I have to offer here and how can I position others to also allow their strengths to come to fruition?

I am extremely grateful to the Laidlaw Foundation for giving me a chance to not only develop as a potential leader in Ireland, but equipping me with the skills to contribute positively wherever I go next.