Reflections on My MAC Summer

By Bhadon Shalakin, Mentoring Program Intern
Photo Courtesy of Tina Ngo, AALEAD Staff

Hello, it’s me, Bhadon. This will be my last official blog as an Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) Mentoring and Volunteer Program Intern. I truly have had the best summer in a long time thanks to AALEAD. I started off the summer hopeful, but was still nervous about working with students in such a new capacity. However, as the summer progressed, so did I. Each workshop I led helped build more confidence in myself. I learned from my mistakes and was able to use these lessons to continue helping my Mentoring Advisory Council (MAC) students.

Although this summer was hectic, it wasn’t such a bad thing. I was able to grow and adapt to situations I have not experienced before. Teaching students that are from four very distinct age groups was at times troubling, but it worked out really well. I built important characteristics as an individual through teaching students from 5th graders to a college freshman! My students impressed me in exceptional ways through their leadership, kindness, and intelligence every day. I could never be as proud of them as I am now. Although I was planning to stay home this summer and relax, I’m really glad I decided to spend my final summer with my AALEAD family. AALEAD has helped me grow both personally and professionally. Though this is my last official blog, I’ll definitely still be around – so I won’t say goodbye, I’ll say see you later.

**Read additional Summer 2014 Interns’ reflections here: Alex, David, Heein, and Laura!**