The Game Changer

The suit and tie life, "Professional Side."

When I think about what the ILC and the Vanderbilt trip has done for me I think of the words game changer. I say these words because the ILC changed my life. The first thing the ILC did for me was test my business and professional skills, which I loved because I finally got a chance to put my forensics' skills to use outside of debate. I feel that the ILC taught me and forced me to be way more independent than I usually am. Our independence was put to the test as we woke up on time, went to class, made our own decisions, all thousands of miles away from home. These were some of the tasks and responsibilities that the ILC trusted us to do, and it caused us to grow up and for-fill them on our own without any help. Okay maybe a little help from Don as he sent a couple of emails here and there. The ILC forced us to grow up as they made it clear to us that the things they instructed us to do were mandatory, or else we would be fired just like a business job. Us growing up began right from the first meeting in the school's library. We all found out the intimidating requirements in this first meeting, as some backed out of an opportunity of a life time like cowards, while others stepped up to the challenge like young men and women and blossomed like a rose in the crack of cement. This program obviously wasn't for everyone as there were a given number of people who were accepted. After the information session everyone who was still interested in the program had to put on their big boy pants and get ready for the ride as we were put through an interview that determined the programs finalists.

This was stressful waiting in class for the verdict of who made it or not, and I tell you when I made it I felt like a boy in a candy store as I tried my hardest to stay professional, which unlocked some inner self control. All of the events scheduled and tasks that were given to us required professional care from being on time, getting jobs done by specific date, checking your email, and most importantly following directions. I feel that I can go into, well almost go into a corporate job and be prepared for the life style.

GORGEOUS D.C. or THE NATIONS CAPITAL

The second game changer occurred when I stepped off the plane in beautiful D.C. Stepping off the plane in D.C. made me realize that I really wanted and need to go out of state for college. Discovering a new world in D.C. made me fall in love with the scenery, which led to one of my top two schools. Georgetown locked up the number two spot on my dream college list. The ILC strayed me from my plans of attending college close to home, as I fell head over heels for Georgetown and what they are about. Georgetown is a school that wants their students to give back to the community, and that's all I ever wanted to do growing up in San Pablo, California. Georgetown was the top of the top for me out of the colleges we seen. I really loved their internship program, and I later found out that the majority of colleges we visited didn't have this program to offer. When I ventured through D.C I began to see that it was a combination of forest and city life. This showed me the capital had a calm side I could always run to, but it also showed me that it had enough activities to offer like a city.

Trying to save lives in microscopic surgery.

I am Bi-U the GATOR WRESTLING CHAMP!

When we got to Vanderbilt my engineering class made me realize I wanted to do something in life that required my mind and hands. I enjoyed my class, but I definitely don't want to do BME or Bio Medical Engineering. Before this class I thought that I wanted to do something that required me to wear a suit and tie the rest of my life, but I was way off. I really want to invent the next big thing, which I don't know of just yet. BME was involved too much medical background for me. It seemed to me you had to have all of the knowledge that a sergeant has if not more when being a BME. I feel that the VSA program interacted their students very well. Being at school for so long made me home sick, but it also made me connect with people bringing me out of my hard comfort shell. The people in my proctor group were very close knit kind of shying me away from my homesickness, and bringing me into my own person. At VSA I had no one kind of like an actual college at first, but refusing to be a loner forced me to venture out into new groups. They were actually friendly and I really connected. Some connections were so strong that I shed tears as they called me Bi-U and for the last time. My class showed me that a bunch of teens can get together for three weeks and be a family. 

I honestly believe that the ILC has made my mind up for a lot of things with this very expensive trip. I feel that with me experiencing this trip I know way more about what to look for in a college, I feel like I can now go off to college in another state without feeling homesick, and I also feel I can now live more independently then I ever thought I could. I feel that the ILC is a program that should be offered nationwide, because it teaches teens how to grow up in the prime of their high school lives. This program also allowed me to get a feel of what I need in a college in order to go there. I thank the ILC for everything for the trip, for the life time connections, and most importantly showing me a taste of the adult life. I can't thank the ILC enough; I look forward to seeing you next year.