Day 7: A Day to Reflect by Anna Huebner

Today was a quiet day of reflection. Following breakfast, we began with our research poster presentations using various skills and information we had learned over the week. My group presented on invasive species and primary succession, which I had not learned before this week. Reflection on our journey to the drylands forest and volcano national park aided us as we did this, especially when we were asked questions. It felt like our group had a good sense of collaboration and common purpose with how well we worked on and cared about the topic. Even though we only had a week's worth of knowledge, I felt confident to share the information we had compiled with the group. 

After lunch, we stopped by the beach one last time before returning to the house to complete our sand study and prepare our presentations. I noted some things that impacted me throughout the week, but I only put them together as a complete picture today. A big idea I have followed throughout the week was stepping out of my comfort zone, but today I realized that I actually accomplished this. Writing my speech was the final step of this idea because this was also new to me. Writing a speech to people I've grown to trust was relatively easy, and I barely needed my notecard.

Hearing about everybody else's experiences also meant a lot to me. We all changed together but in slightly different ways. Other people felt more transformed by being immersed in the culture or learning about themselves through leadership. All our experiences unite into one, which I didn't expect to realize, but hearing people show their feelings immediately made me see that.

We ended the evening with a slideshow, ice cream sundaes, and karaoke. We all felt very united, and it was a perfect closing day to the program because we were all together and finishing our growing process of the week. A simple day was what we needed.




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