Sarah

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award really helps to develop well-rounded young people. It gives you the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and try new things. Even though some of the activities you take part in are things you would do without the Award, you are encouraged to reflect on them. For me, reflection was one of the most valuable aspects.

Often, we just go with the flow without recognizing the growth and learning we are experiencing. We don’t keep track of our challenges or achievements, and this was a great opportunity for me to do so.

Each part of the Award is very important to me. Being outdoors and traveling on foot allowed me to appreciate the luxuries I often take for granted and to disconnect from the pressures and influences of social media. This time “offline” was just as valuable as the skills I learned during the trip. Being active has many mental and physical health benefits and should be a priority in our lives, whatever form that takes. It’s never too late to learn a new skill. Often, in high school or college, people stick to what they know and lack the internal motivation to learn something new. While working on my Gold award, I was reminded that it’s never too late to learn something new, and I set a goal to learn a new skill every year.

I explored a new region of my country and immersed myself in another language for my Gold project, achieved many of my physical activity goals, and spent 10 days in the woods in challenging conditions. I am very grateful to have had the resources to earn my Gold Award, and I am very proud to be an Award recipient.

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