High School Study Abroad in Rural Areas, Chile

Alzar school high school semester was amazing because I got to do something different with four months of my high school career. I met the most amazing people and went to the most amazing places. It was such a lucky feeling to go kayaking after school, backpacking on the weekends, or skiing for a few hours. The campus in Cascade is beautiful- I miss living in my Yurt so much. It was so warm and cozy. The food was really good and had a lot of variety. I learned a lot of material that is helpful in the real world in my classes, and also got to take some first aid courses. The adults in the program were all incredibly professional and hard-working with a love for learning and the outdoors. The specific focus on leadership was especially interesting, and the 10 elements of leadership are things I still use in my everyday life. The sense of community that we built will stay with me forever, and I am still in contact with most of my semester, months later. This was such an empowering experience because of where we went in nature. I learned to kayak, to cook, to carry heavy things, and how to appreciate my surroundings. The rivers we went on were beautiful with big campsites, and the backpacking trips were pivotal moments in my, and many of my friends' lives. Alzar School is a once and a lifetime experience that I would hope every child had the opportunity to do. It changes lives.

The Alzar School provided me with real-world leadership skills. After attending in the fall of 2015, I have sought out leadership programs at other schools, and none compare. Alzar helped me learn that I have a lot to gain from the knowledge and experiences of others and that asking for feedback is a good thing. I also learned that I can handle extremely difficult situations, especially when others are depending on me. I learned to communicate with my peers through constructive feedback and small group expeditions in the backcountry. These communications skills carried over to my interactions and relationships with friends and family back home, and also in conversations with professionals when searching for jobs. I carry myself taller, trust in my own strength more, and have no fear to ask for help and support from others after coming back from the Alzar school. It is truly a life-changing experience. I conquered my fear of kayaking after years of being horrified of it, and created memories I will cherish for a lifetime. Thank you Alzar!!