iLED Programme at the University of Notre Dame
11th - 25th July, 2015

The International Leadership, Enrichment and Development Programme (iLED) at the University of Notre Dame was a two week summer course for international students from over ten different countries. The University has catholic roots and an extremely unique philosophy. With a very small student body of approximately 12,000 students, the university only believes in admitting those who show a desire to give back to the society. And for obvious reasons, alumni of the University of Notre Dame have achieved great heights.

Our week started with a tour of the campus as well as team building activities, to break the ice. As the days progressed, the course curriculum spanned across subjects that included business, architecture, science and economics as well as a week and a half long leadership course. The main components of the entire programme were the leadership seminars that culminated into presentations by various groups. The project entitled us assume roles of famous personalities in the world to give a commencement speech to the graduating class of 2015 of the university.

Apart from the academics, we had the opportunity to visit the city of Chicago for a day. The architectural river cruise, deep-dish pizza, view from the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower and the Shedd Aquarium made every moment memorable. We also had the chance to go shopping on two different occasions along with various activities on campus that turned forty two strangers from different corners of the world into a family.

Needless to say, these two weeks not only taught me a lot, but also gave me a brilliant exposure to college and campus life, cultures across the globe and made me meet people with whom I'll now share lifelong friendships.

Kamya Yadav