Michelle described the trip as “truly life-changing”, noting that no one in her family had ever travelled this far before. Though she struggled with homesickness at the start, she overcame it and left feeling more inspired about her future, especially the importance of turning ideas into action.

For Siyasanga, the program revealed her hidden leadership skills and gave her the confidence to speak in front of crowds, something she says she’ll never be shy about again. She cherishes the friendships she made, saying, “Everyone made my journey to be fun, I love them so much.

Festus expressed deep gratitude to the leaders and friends who made his journey special, especially the surprise birthday celebration that he will “never forget.” The program taught him decision-making, problem-solving, and the importance of preserving nature, lessons he hopes to take back to his community.

For Sagar, the most powerful change was becoming more conscious of his actions —like carrying a plastic bottle until he found a dustbin. He treasures the memory of sharing Indian sweets with international peers, calling it the first real connection with them, and learned that “every small to big creature has its role in maintaining the ecosystem.

Sherly’s reflections highlight her growth through cultural immersion in Delhi, learning about climate change and sustainability in Ahmedabad, and creatively exploring solutions in Bengaluru. Despite initial challenges like adapting to new food, she embraced new friendships, interactive learning, and artistic expression, leaving her inspired by how small initiatives can spark meaningful change.

Daphne reflected on her personal biases and how the trip taught her that “humanity is transcendent.” Engaging with locals, she discovered a deeper perspective on Indian culture and climate action that challenged the media narratives she had believed. For her, the program was less about academics and more about “real life lessons to always reach outside the books for answers.