Thinking back over the trip, overall I feel like I got more out of this EDventure than I ever thought I would. I thought this trip would just be to do some volunteer work, help
a community and have a short holiday after. Never thought that along the way I would have such an experience where I also got to develop myself, and figure out what I am passionate about. I feel even though I have been a part of many other charities and fundraisers in Kenya I have never really been as connected and attached with children we’ve raised funds for.
This time, however, with my EDventure in Cambodia, it was touching to get to know the children at the school and orphanage, it was really good to see them always smiling and optimistic, even now back in Melbourne I think of those children. Hopefully if a chance comes maybe I can go back and visit them. It was hard to leave to leave, and even now I continuously think about the trip and wish I didn’t have to leave. It’s the same with the rest of the volunteers, I wish I could be still spending time with them. The first two weeks was a routine I could get used to. Even though I am now back in Uni I would happily trade it to go out and help another community some way as I did on my EDventure.
The few days relaxing on the island was a perfect way to let go and enjoy the island. By this time we all knew each other well and this made it so much more enjoyable. I don’t normally open up much about myself to others, but I felt like it was a safe environment, and was able to relate or talk to some of the other volunteers. It was the perfect way to end the trip, we all got to spend as much time together and learn about each other and really bond.
After coming back home and just thinking more about my EDventure, I felt that the leadership program enabled me to become more aware of my strengths and weaknesses and the possible reasons to my behaviours and characteristics. Thinking more about the discussions we had on the various different aspects of leadership has helped me become more aware of desired characteristics and I believe this will help me develop as an individual. The global leadership program also enabled me think 
of various aspects about me that I never would have considered or thought about, it got me thinking more about myself and the reasons for my behaviour and how I find ways to be even better.
This experience has helped me gain more confidence in myself, take up roles that I would normally shy away from. I now know some of the things I definitely want to do in life, if I get a chance I would go on another EDventure trip or do something similar, like go backpacking (never really considered it before). Also, in the future I want to slowly take up more leadership roles and be able to make more of a positive impact on deprived communities around the world. Now being back in university, I have been more actively looking for clubs and societies to join that have initiatives to help disadvantaged communities.
Binal Dodhia
Kenya
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