Hold the summer in your hands, ’til the summer turns to sand

After a night of laughter, signing monthbooks, and minimal sleep, I was able to reflect back on my unforgettable SHAD experience as a whole. SHAD has been an enrichment program for high school students since 1980. Over 1500 students applied for the program this year from across Canada and internationally. Only around 600 of them were accepted, one of which was me. The program runs every year during the month of July, with lectures and activities focused on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and entrepreneurship. I was fortunate to be accepted to the program hosted by Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I met some incredible people who I’m still in contact with until this day. Coming out of SHAD, I realize that it has taught me so much more than I expected walking in. A month away from home, I learned how to be independent – how to take care of myself and the people around me. I learned that stepping outside of my comfort zone on a regular basis has been a powerful instrument for my learning and growth. SHAD introduced me to wonderful program leaders and peers who believed in my potential, showed me in more ways than one of what I can achieve. I honestly could not have asked the month to unfold in any other way.