In the midst of finding myself, the world of global opportunities and leadership development opened my eyes to a lot of experience. The journey is one of continual learning, adaption, and personal growth. The GOLD (Global Officer Leadership Development) programme has been a transformative experience, enriching my understanding of global issues and honing my leadership skills. This blog encapsulates my journey and the great impact the programme has had in my life.
Why did I join GOLD?
At first, it seems like something I needed to do as a “wild module”. Soon after, I realised it was much more than that. This was like a guide to surviving the global world. Each encounter has been a lesson on respect, empathy and understanding. I used to think I was so open-minded and understood other people’s culture but joining this programme taught me a lot more. One of the most significant aspects is its emphasis on embracing diverse perspectives. Socialising with peers from different cultural view broadened my view of the world and deepened my appreciation for diversity. Each workshop/hangout/ was like an eye opener and encouraged me to make a difference.
I learned that true leadership is not about imposing one’s ideas but about fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued.
The GOLD programme wasn’t just intellectual but also emotional and psychological. The training sessions, workshops and hangouts demanded resilience and adaptability. There were moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, but each obstacle was an opportunity to grow stronger and more adaptable. I learnt the importance of a growth mindset to view every challenge as an opportunity to learn and improve.
I had the opportunity to build a global network of diverse individuals. Collaborating with my fellow Global Officers on various projects, I developed a strong support system and lifelong friends. These connections are invaluable, providing rich and extensive knowledge, support and collaboration opportunities. The sense of community and shared purpose constantly motivated and inspired me.
One of my favourite workshops is ‘talking cultures”, it addresses the issues of ‘who are you’, ‘what culture means to you’, ‘what is home’.
The workshops were designed to challenge and inspire us and equip us with skills needed to thrive in a global environment.
One of the first workshops I attended was focused on intercultural communication. This session was eye-opening, as it highlighted the complexities of interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. I learnt how to navigate cultural differences with sensitivity and respect. This workshop emphasised the importance of active listening and being open-minded, which are crucial for effective communication in a diverse world.
The workshop also focused on exploring pressing global issues such as climate change, poverty and inequality. We engaged in discussions on sustainable development goals (SDGs) and explored how we, as future leaders, can contribute to achieving these goals. This workshop included a guest speaker who spoke about the 17 key SDGs, in group we spoke about issues we spoke about the challenges the world is facing today. We also had group project to work on how to make University of Kent more sustainable and ways in which as Global Officers can achieve that goal.
One of my favourite workshops is ‘talking cultures”, it addresses the issues of ‘who are you’, ‘what culture means to you’, ‘what is home’. This workshop was a more interactive workshop where people spoke about their own cultures and what it means to them. I heard a lot from my peers about their journey to other country and how they adapted to been in a different environment, how they survived the barrier of different languages, customs and traditions. This workshop helped me start planning to take more trips this year and using my knowledge of the Gold Programme to navigate any challenges faced. I have learnt to be respectful of people’s culture and open-minded to trying new things.
The workshops in the GOLD programme have been really helpful in shaping my skills. From workshops to planning of Global Hangouts. The Global Hangouts have helped with my communication skills and made me more confident as it involves interacting with others, we brainstorm ideas together and everyone feels heard and seen in this community.
This experience has been transformative, and, in the end, I have learnt more, and I am committed to applying this insight in my future endeavours, inspiring others to do the same.
As I move forward in my journey, I would continually carry with me the insights and skills I have gained from these workshops. They have equipped me with navigating the complexities of the global world, to lead with integrity, patience and empathy. This experience has been transformative, and, in the end, I have learnt more, and I am committed to applying this insight in my future endeavours, inspiring others to do the same.
Find out more about the Global Officers’ Leadership Development (GOLD) Programme
