Pride Sample

In my own opinion, one of my greatest accomplishments while attending high school

would be my participation in the International Youth Camp and Exchange program to Japan with
Lions Club International during the summer after my sophomore year. This month long program
required much from me, and what I received in turn for my work, such as friends and important
life lessons, is what has made this accomplishment so important to me.
The International Youth Exchange and Youth Camp programs are two high honors in the
Lions Club community. From these programs, participants learn about the bonds between all
people and countries as well as to respect the differences in each other no matter where we live. I
was lucky enough to be accepted into both and because of this, I was housed by three families in
Japan for a week each, and was able to attend a ten day camp shared by my peers from all over
the world.
This was a wonderful trip, and like most good things in life, I had to work to earn such an
honor. I had to earn the support of my local Lions Club to be accepted into the exchange
program, as well as the nod from the International Lions Club. In all of California roughly 12
students (myself included) were able to attend. And this was only the paperwork and pre-trip
work. Much of the actual trip was mental and much more personal. I had to overcome home
sickness and jetlag, as well as be open to an entirely new culture (I acquired an affinity for
octopus while abroad in Japan).
Participating in this program is still such an important part of my life. I have been given
wonderful friends with many different backgrounds. It has opened my eyes to a much more
broad perspective on the world. It has also given me the ability to look past only my life in

Merced, as well as given me the basis for my career: to be an ESL teacher and help unite the
world through a shared language.