An Extraordinary Journey

March 8, 2021

An Extraordinary Journey

Inspiring, uplifting and hopeful: these are the first words that come to mind as I reflect on my time with the global Social Leadership Pilot that we just ran in support with QS World Merit, where we introduce students to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals set up by the United Nations) and how to follow their call to service and leadership to make their communities and thus, our world, a better place. It finished a few days ago, and I already find myself missing these immensely driven, motivated and exceptional young leaders, who live and work in Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burundi, DRC, England, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, and South Africa. I’m so excited for the next time that I get to see them.

“I would recommend this course to those friends who are willing to create a positive impact in society understanding their identity and core values”

—Shristi, from Nepal
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

“Kind courtesy QS World Merit & iLeap. I am grateful for the experience and insight.
It was just refreshing meeting like minded individuals around the world.”

—Confidence, from Ghana
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

Our students were so inspiring because I could see, through their eyes, their call to leadership, their call to make the world better, their call to work within their communities and their call to learn and grow.

“A course of self exploration, because only when you know yourself you can learn about the society and make a difference”

—Grisham, from Nepal
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

Our students were truly uplifting. Each weekly meeting, I left the session feeling a bit lighter, and somehow yet more grounded, more connected to them, more connected to our growing community, more connected to the world. I was lifted by their courage when they let down their guard and allowed themselves to be vulnerable , their willingness to be open and honest, to explore new tools and ideas.

“I underestimated the impact that this course would have on me”.

—Zain, United Kingdom
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

Our students were the definition of hopeful. They wouldn’t be driven to the social change they are creating if they were not hopeful that the world can and will be a better place. It can and will be a better place, because of their actions and the work they are called to do.

“The personal stories and videos about belonging really got me. It was really an eye opener. Now I’m inspired to tell my story and also help other people tell their story to create impact.”

—Ayomikun, Nigeria
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

The stories that the students shared throughout the course highlighted their personal challenges, intellectual challenges, and the challenges in their communities. Many students mentioned that although miles and borders may separate us, we face similar difficulties. Throughout the course, these challenges were shared, discussed and solutions began to emerge.

“We all struggle and our struggles are valid and similar. But amidst our struggles, we can be on the lookout for others and still make the world a better place. That I learned from the iLEAP Global Leadership Academy”.

—Ayomikun, Nigeria
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

Their reflections of the course were incredibly insightful and I was truly humbled by the impact that the course had on the students.

“To become a good leader you really need to learn about yourself and about your environment”.

—Yousra, Brazil
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

As they continue to do their community work, I am excited to see them implement the tools explored in the course: uncovering, developing and honoring their values, the social ecosystem map that helps each person identify their unique role in their community, the human centered design approach which allows them to design and create projects based on the needs of a community rather than basing it on assumptions, and so much more. I was able to watch them use their true global leadership skills such as authenticity, vulnerability, while being grounded in their values, which seems to have allowed many students to begin to more deeply carve out a life of purpose.

“A course of self exploration, because only when you know yourself you can learn about the society and make a difference”.

-Grishma, Nepal
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021

I would like to thank the students for trusting us in this transformative process, and invite you to join us in iLEAP’s Social Leadership course by applying here.

“Do you need a course that will help you connect more to your core values and help you identify how to map your ecosystem when you want to create change? Take the social leadership course. You will definitely love the style in which the course will be taught.”

-Bukola, Nigeria
Social Leadership Pilot, 2021