This past summer, four NDB students and two staffulty members took a trip to Boston for the Notre Dame Student Leadership Conference, joining eight other Notre Dame schools from across the country. Spanning five days, the students not only learned about better ways to support their communities through leadership, but also took the opportunity to enjoy all the city had to offer.
“The Boston Conference was one of my favorite memories at Notre Dame,” said attendee and senior Sabrina Philip. “Not only did I bond with the people I went with, but I learned leadership skills I will forever use, especially in college, while meeting new people from other Notre Dame schools around the country.”
Staying on the campus of Emmanuel College, students attended daily presentations by the Sisters of Notre Dame, who graciously ran the conference. During the lectures, the speakers spoke about the mission of Notre Dame, directly addressing the hallmarks and how they affect our everyday lives. One activity that left an impression on all students was sharing stories of the way the hallmarks connected to their lives.
Outside of the lectures, students were given time to explore the city. They spent a day visiting Boston College and walked around its campus while listening to a guided tour through their phone. This gave the students a chance to learn more about a college that they had not seen yet. In addition to this, a Red Sox game was organized for the group to attend at Fenway Park, providing them with the opportunity to see a different set of teams and fans that are not the San Francisco Giants.
“I had an amazing time learning about where everyone came from and the Boston sporting culture. I definitely fell in love with the city and would love to someday live in the Boston area,” said attendee and senior Julia Oliveira-Killmon.
For many students, this trip was a great opportunity to build a better understanding of the growth and roles of communication and management, while also creating lasting friendships and memories.