At first, the program felt like it was a normal school day. I was taking notes and listening to instructions. But then something completely different happened. Instead of just talking about culture or history, we actually went out and experienced it. We explored local places, met new people, and had real conversations about things that mattered to us. That’s when I realized that learning doesn’t just happen at a desk; it can happen anywhere, through experiences that make you curious and excited. One of my favorite memories was a group project where we had to research a cultural site and present it creatively. My group decided to make a short video with clips, stories, and interviews from our trips. I never really thought of myself as a creative person but filming and editing the video was so much fun. Seeing our final project come together made me feel proud of what we’d done. I realized I wasn’t just learning facts, I was learning how to communicate, work with others, and think in new ways. It was the first time I understood that learning could actually be fun and creative, not just about grades and deadlines.
Another big moment for me was during a class discussion about global issues. Usually, I get nervous sharing my thoughts in class, but this time it felt different. The environment was really open and supportive, so I actually wanted to speak up. We talked about things like mental health, sustainability, and how young people can help shape the future. I realized that learning isn’t just about having the right answers; it’s about asking questions, listening, and learning from different points of view. Before that summer, school mostly felt like something I had to do, not something I looked forward to. I thought learning was just memorizing information for tests and finishing assignments because I had to. I didn’t see how any of it connected to my real life. But my summer with Global Summers Academy completely changed my mindset. I saw that education could be exciting and full of creativity and discovery. What made it even better was the people I met and the things I learned about myself. I began to see how learning can make a difference, whether it’s helping others, leading a group, or understanding the world better. It made me want to keep learning, not because I had to, but because it helped me grow as a person.
Looking back, that summer was the moment I realized learning can actually be enjoyable. It doesn’t have to be textbooks and tests; it can happen through teamwork, travel, creativity, and real-life experiences. Now, whenever I start learning something new, I try to find what’s interesting or fun about it. Whether it’s studying, reading stories, or exploring leadership, I’ve learned that curiosity is what makes learning exciting. In the end, realizing that learning could be fun wasn’t just one single moment; it was a bunch of experiences that changed how I see school and education. When you open your mind, step out of your comfort zone, and really get involved, learning becomes something special, something that sticks with you long after the class is over.
In the end, the understanding that learning could be fun wasn’t one moment; it was a series of experiences that changed my view on education. I found that by broadening your perspective, stepping outside your comfort zone, and embracing the experience, education evolves into something more than a simple task. It transforms into something uplifting, something delightful, and something that lingers with you well after the lesson concludes.
Thank you to Student Ambassador Vanessa S. for writing this article!
