Going into this training I wasn't really sure what to expect, being an international scout and all. So the first day I arrived I was a little reserved but that was immediately blown away by this really over zealous guy name Jim and this funny, sweet girl Joy. They made me feel instantly at home. So now that I was comfortable, I was beginning to be less nervous and more excited to what I would be learning and the new scouts I'd be meeting. There was another International Scout there with me Pablo Guzman, and we were both excited to see what was coming. I was apart of the Dunder Mifflin patrol(if you don't get the reference refer to 'The Office') which consisted of three P-staff(participant staff) including myself and our two team mentors, Devin and Melissa. Our TM's were always there always trying to help us feel comfortable talking with us. It was so endearing that we started calling Melissa, 'MOM' and Devin, 'DAD'. During the week to come we were introduced to many presentation skills and Leadership skills that with the help of our TM's and the other Staff, help us improve tremendously. In my personal experience I have social anxiety, so presenting to a crowd can be seriously intimidating; but with Melissa's help I was able to over come that fear greatly. It's not fully gone but it's getting there. Also there was this great evaluation forms that we used, everyone would get them from our peers and our mentors to see how we were doing and what we could improve on. Also our PPFs(Planning Presentation Forms) helped us apply the EDGE method (Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable) in all our presentations; even in those that were difficult became simpler using this method. My Patrol mates were both guys, Gabriel and Lucas and they would always make me feel comfortable. Lucas always with his selfies and Gabe always asking "How's the weather down there?"(I'm short). They always found ways to make me not miss home. They'd always ask me how's "this" compared to your home. Which made me feel good. But of everything that I learnt on this training two things stuck with me the most. Self Leadership and Special Place. Out of all the presentations, Self Leadership was by far the most personal and most emotional one. It helped us know each other on a deeper level, and thus creating stronger bonds with each other. Special place was as great as Self Leadership. It simply is "Be who you are, and we will not judge." An entire week at camp, An entire campsite created in such a way that you won't be scared to be who you are. That you can be your crazy, weird and fun self and you won't be judged for it. I loved that iniative so much I took it home with me to Guyana. And of course I won't forget the staff who helped so much in making this experience on of the best I've ever had. They were all so enthusiastic and always there to help us. Lunch times were especially fun with their antics and campfire even better. they made the experience 100xs better. Being at NYLT not only Improved my Leadership and Presentation skills but who I am as a person; it also helped me create bonds that I know will last forever. NYLT Leadership Academy, if I had the chance to do it again I would, because it is an amazing Course and other's should be encouraged to join it as well. So as a Guyanese I want to thank the NYLT team for giving me such a great experience. Thank You!