Authored By: Sammy Dellaria
The third-year cohort of Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program (CLDP) students embarked on a trip abroad for their spring break in March.
This year, the students selected their trip’s destination as Prague in the Czech Republic, and partnered with the NC State European Center in Prague. Students sat in on presentations covering cultural topics such as the Czech Republic’s language, political system, education system, and arts/entertainment opportunities. All presentations were supplemented with excursions to visit the Czech Parliament, a cooking class, and a local elementary school to experience the Prague lifestyle.
“By providing students with holistic immersion opportunities, they could better experience and understand the culture of Prague in a short amount of time,” La’Toya Cesar, Program Director of the Chancellor’s Leadership Development Program, said. “Through various excursions our groups actively participated in the everyday life of the Prague people. It was exciting to see the students’ global perspective grow over the course of this trip.”
The annual international trip is a signature part of third-year CLDP experience, and is geared towards providing an opportunity for students to learn about leadership on a global platform.
“This eye-opening experience highlighted our students’ leadership skills that they have developed throughout their time in the program,” Shyheim Stafford, College Programs Assistant at the Shelton Leadership Center, said. “So to be able to see them thrive in that environment as the leaders of the program was truly inspiring and a joy to witness.”
The students also reflected that the trip was a great opportunity to shape their perspectives not only of other cultures but the way they look and think at global leadership practices, according to third-year CLDP student Adrianna Sanchez.
“Through my international experience with CLDP, I’ve learned that travel isn’t just about exploring new places; it’s about expanding our understanding of global cultures and fostering world cultural competence. This journey has underscored the imperative of immersing ourselves in diverse cultures to truly comprehend and appreciate the richness of our world,” Sanchez, a junior animal science major at NC State, said. “It’s through these experiences that I’ve discovered countless opportunities previously unseen, fostering a newfound sense of independence and empowerment. This journey has not only broadened my horizons but also enriched my perspective on leadership, emphasizing the importance of embracing diversity and leveraging our networks to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world.”
Additionally, being in an international setting made evident how people across the world can relate to one another, said third-year CLDP student Ed Guevara.
“I learned much about another culture and the interactions between me and my culture with the cultures of other people. Through this, my leadership was impacted in a way that I could not have done in the USA, as the global perspective I received traveling abroad is one that is to be experienced firsthand,” Guevara, a senior engineering major at NC state, said. “As for what it taught me about myself, it taught me that people striving to achieve a similar goal can break down barriers, such as language and geography, and build bridges between cultures to benefit people around the globe.”
To learn more about the CLDP program, visit: https://sheltonleadership.ncsu.edu/college-programs/chancellors-program/