This activity was a very good one for getting to know my group. Getting into a group that is going to be your group for the rest of the semester is a little intimidating because it means that you are going to be with them for a long time. This activity was good because it tested our leadership and our organization. I think the activity went very well as we were able to do what we needed with no trouble or disagreement. We learned a lot from each other and even though each one of us is from a different continent we still worked together perfectly. Leadership arose from most of us as we either delegated or planned what to do. You could tell the two shyer kids of the group struggled a little more to get involved but after they felt comfortable they pitched in a lot of good ideas and they fit in perfectly. We did not have any disagreements, all ideas were appreciated and implemented and decisions were made unanimously. We all had fun while doing it too so that is a big plus when working in a group. We all knew the objectives very well so the goal was clear and that made it easy for the group to work together and achieve the goal. Very good experience and group work overall.

This and last week I set myself up for a leadership experiment. I decided to act on everything I was thinking of doing. Whenever I got an idea, I usually didn’t act upon it because I was afraid of the idea being rejected or just not happening. Back in highschool, my group of friends was very unsupportive and lazy in my opinion. It was hard to plan things with them because they would agree it was a good idea and then not do anything about, not move a finger to make the idea true or just reject everything out of laziness. Here I have a new life and a new group of friends so I decided to try to do what I wanted to do before. So I started proposing ideas and planning them and so far so good. It was very nice to see interest from others whenever I proposed something and then see it happen. This week we planned a whole trip to Savannah for the upcoming holiday weekend and more than 8 friends signed up, I was expecting around 3 people but more signed up which makes the trip more enjoyable and cost friendly. Then I decided to work on it right away to not lose momentum and started my research to get them all the information they needed. It is still a work in progress but it is moving in the right direction. I did smaller things throughout the week like plan going out or plan a date to go to eat somewhere nice. It’s been working so far and I am very happy that is has. I am happy to see that I am finally in an environment of companionship and enthusiasm. I have always been an enthusiastic guy with many ideas and curiosity to see and experience new things but it was held down by those around me, well not anymore, I am going all out while I’m here because I see others share my enthusiasm.

 

Juan Fernando Royer Merida