Aria Axarli
Student. Represented Greece at the 2022 Winter School in NiceIt is no exaggeration to say that this Winter School was a turning point in my life. When I was getting ready to fly to Nice, I could not have imagined the life-changing adventure I was about to embark on. The School was filled with panels, interactive workshops and networking sessions that gave me the chance to hear from inspiring leaders and policy-makers who are paving the way towards a more inclusive and technologically advanced European future. We all then used this newfound knowledge to write a policy brief on the promotion of digital skills and pitch our team's proposition to a panel of experts. Most importantly, however, I was fortunate enough to be in the presence of so much solidarity and humanity just as the dreadful news of war spread all over Europe. That is why, to me, the European Leadership Academy is so much more than just a leadership program; it is about equipping young women with empathy, resilience and a true passion for equality. I feel extremely fortunate to have met 27 young female leaders across the European Union who all share an inspiring vision and humanitarian ideas and make me look at the future of Europe with hope and anticipation. I have so much to learn from them, and I cannot wait for our friendship and our community to evolve into something much bigger. So, if you are considering applying for the European Leadership Academy, know this; you will laugh, you will cry, you will share, and you will be vulnerable. It isn’t a piece of cake—the schedule is tight and full of surprises—but once you get the hang of it, you will come out with a sense of achievement and self-security that you have never felt before. It truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am so glad I took.
