If I were to give advice to someone who was going to attend NSLC, I would strongly recommend letting go. A plethora of people say "you have to step out of your comfort zone". Yes, I know that is extremely cliché, but it is 100 percent true.  If you don't let go, you won't enjoy your time. Throughout the beginning of the program I stayed in my comfort zone. I didn't talk aloud much in the big group. And then it struck me, there are only 7 days left in this program. I need to take advantage of my time here. We were doing one of our leadership sessions with Bill “with two L's”, and he was talking about commitment. He asked us to stand up and give our definitions of commitment. Until that time, I had not stood up and talked in front of the other 110 students, but I decided to just get up to have my voice heard. I said that commitment is "keeping your word and following through". It was time for an activity in which we had to do a single motion while walking down an aisle filled with people staring at you. At this moment I remembered “commitment”. I knew that if I did not commit to a simple action, then I would always be in my small box of comfort. As people started to go, I thought maybe I could do something basketball related, but everyone would expect that and I would still be in my comfort zone. What to do? What to do? I got it, let me take a “selfie” I thought. As I was getting my phone ready, people were perplexed, but in a matter of seconds there was an eruption of cheers and I knew people understood what I was doing.  I felt so much joy. Knowing myself, I don't really like to do participate in these sorts of activities, but I am so glad I did. I lived in the moment, I stepped out of my comfort zone and it felt great. 
Bill Johnson said, "You have to live in the moment because you don't know when it is going to be over". 
And now that the moment is over, I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone and slowly growing up. I will take so much away from my experience at NSLC.

1st photo: When my group won an award for making a Public Service Announcement on rape.   2nd photo: Some of my medical team, when we were going through clinical diagnostics. 

When we got to the bus at Port Authority, I felt tranquil. It was as if we were going on a family vacation to Washington DC. Half way there, none of my feelings changed. I felt neutral and the long bus ride made me extremely soporific.
Most things changed when we got to our rest stop in Silver Springs, Maryland because I knew that we were about 30 or so minutes away from Washington DC. Why did that scare me? I was going to experience something that will guide me in my life. Possibly one of the greatest experiences that I would ever have in my life.
The answer was family.
I was worried about leaving my family, rather my family leaving me. I've been in several situations before where I had to go places overnight without my parents but this was different. All those other times I had people that I knew with me.  Whether it was my teachers or friends, I felt safe.
We finally arrived in DC and hailed a taxi. It was about a 20 minute ride to campus. It was a silent ride. I didn't know what to say or how to hide my feeling other than keeping quiet. My mother occasionally asked me what was wrong and I replied with “nothing,”  but she knew exactly what I was feeling.
Pulling up to the campus I took a deep breath and tried to relax, but that did not work. Walking up to registration, I could feel my tension rising to the point that I believe I looked like I did not want to be there. I talked gingerly, I shook hands hesitantly and I thought "you could still turn around and go home".
It was painful saying goodbye to my parents. I did not want to. I wanted them to stay with me. For about an hour of unpacking it almost felt as if they were going to stay.
It was time for them to leave I could never fathom this scenario. I gave them all hugs, and told them I loved them. They wanted more but I was unable to give more without breaking down.
How did I handle this? It was very difficult for me, but I did it. I'm here now.
The reason why I was able to fathom this possibility was because I forced myself to. I walked up to someone on the way to lunch and talked to him. He was not as nervous as I was even though he came from overseas. He made me comfortable and we hung out for the rest of the day. That same day I made more friends. And I felt like I was at Port Authority on my way to my home. I felt at peace, safe and most importantly at home.

I am excited to be able to go to such a prestigious program. I cannot wait to learn everything that I can from the professors and doctors. My goal is to learn as much as I can while having fun. I know that many people, like me, are nervous to go because they will be away from their families, but I will take on this challenge. I believe one of my main obstacles would be adapting to unfamiliar situations. By going to the National Student Leadership Conference I will become accustomed to adapting to new situations. 

I am extremely grateful for your generosity. Without your help I would not have the opportunity to go to such an esteemed program, like the National Student Leadership Conference. I am so thankful because your donation will get me a step closer to my goal of becoming a doctor. I will gain skills, independence and medical knowledge. I can not thank you enough, you have helped me out immensely. Thank you.