GATEWAY TO HONORS

Over the summer I worked as a Program Leader and Counselor at a residential camp for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities.  I worked +750 hours, providing direct care and adapting recreational activities based on individuals' abilities.  I met many kind/loving campers, and felt grateful to give them a great summer experience.  Working in a 24/7 care environment, I learned skills in helping others with life skills, emotional regulation, and collaborating with other medical and behavioral staff.  Each week had different challenges and fun experiences based on the diversity of different ages, abilities, and personalities. Through this experience, I grew professionally and personally, as I felt moved by the impact that my work did to improve the lives of others.  It was transformational to serve those with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.  My understanding of others grew exponentially, and my ability to empathize improved.  I gained important life skills such as resilience and adapting for inclusion, while simultaneously giving campers a great experience.  During our two-week staff training, we to developed skills that we used throughout summer, including our Crisis Intervention Prevention training (CPI), problem-solving, conflict resolution, de-escalation, and collaboration. This experience reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in medicine and serving in environments where I can advocate for those who are not able advocate for themselves.  Moving forward, I plan to apply these skills in my future academic and professional life by prioritizing inclusion, adaptability, and respect.  This experience aided in my development towards being a Global Citizen Scholar and someone who leads life with a positive and empathetic attitude. This role helped better prepare me for life conflicts and provided me with a better perspective of diverse abilities and perspectives.  I hope to continue using these skills locally and globally in the future.