Aspire to Inspire: Lessons from the European Leadership Academy
“You are changed by every person you meet.” That sentence perfectly sums up my experience at the European Leadership Academy this summer. Every interaction—with speakers and participants alike—shaped my thinking and left a lasting mark. But, beyond what I learned intellectually, the biggest impact came from how these experiences made me feel—empowered, inspired, and deeply connected.
One of the most meaningful lessons was from Amina Boubendir who shone a light on the importance of education, highlighting it as one of the greatest investments we can make in life. She reminded me that knowledge is a powerful foundation—something we can always rely on. This strengthened my belief that any time or effort spent learning is never wasted; it builds a base we can always return to and fall back on.
Violeta Bulc helped me develop a new perspective on creativity and problem-solving. She emphasized that thinking outside the box is only possible when you step outside of the box and actually destroy it. Even if you take the first step of getting out of the box, but do not destroy it, you are still using it as your referent system. By breaking down the box, you gain external perspective and a new referent system that allow you to confront both your strengths and weaknesses from a completely new and fresh angle. Her words challenged me to embrace self-reflection and step beyond the comfort zone.
Berta Herrero's "always say yes" motto stayed with me. Her advice to say yes to people and opportunities—no matter how scary and daunting—showed me that each yes leads to new possibilities, even if we don’t recognize them immediately. Sometimes, some doors open quietly, waiting for the right moment for you to walk through them. This mindset encouraged me to approach the unknown with curiosity rather than fear.
Throughout the program, I was inspired by meeting participants from all kinds of fields—business, policy, the humanities, and STEM. But what stuck with me the most was seeing so many talented women chasing careers in STEM. As someone working toward a career in STEM myself, seeing this representation carried immense weight.
In the end, the speakers and participants at this summer school did not just change the way I think—they empowered me to believe. Thank you, ELA, for aspiring to inspire—and for helping me realize that education, courage, and meaningful connection are lifelong companions on the journey of growth and knowledge.
Irma Salkić on 10/11/2024
