Ami Patel, Nicaragua 2016

Ami Patel
Jun 8, 2017
1 min read

I decided to apply for the Nicaragua Leadership Exchange at a time in my life when I felt lost. Fortunately, the trip was a catalyst for the positive change that was brought into my life. I cannot express how grateful I am for the experiences that I have gained from going on this trip. The trip allowed me to embrace who I am as a person and not be afraid to show it. I learned the importance of surrounding myself with positive people. In a short amount of time, I built relationships with my team members and hope to continue lifelong friendships as a result of the unique bonds that were created.

My life completely changed for the better after going on this trip. Travel has become a necessity in my life as I continuously feel the positive impact that it has on my growth. I was inspired to go on solo trips to Portugal and Australia where I connected with people in ways that I would never think possible for me. I will also be going to India and Nepal with my family after graduation. My goal after graduating from the BA/MPA program at Rutgers is to explore career paths internationally. I feel myself growing and changing constantly since the trip to Nicaragua and am excited to continue learning from my travel experiences.