Outward Bound has been a genuinely life-changing experience. I completed the 7-day Manawa Ora course on sustainability, located in Queen Charlotte Sounds, with a group of 11 other passionate, kind, and amazing people. 

Over that week, we were pushed to think about our impacts on the world and what we could do to make it a better place. Through that journey, we hiked, sailed, camped, rowed, trapped, and swam. It would be impossible to choose one favourite moment, but I loved sailing. Knowing we were all reliant on each other and that all of our actions played a vital role in keeping the boat upright made it seem like the most important thing in the world in that moment. Also, the sight of our instructor Dan in bright orange, flared plastic overalls kept our spirits up when we got tired.

Learning how to trap possums was a fascinating experience too, and something I want to bring into my normal life by joining a trapping line. On the first day, we got to Picton and then sailed to TK, a remote Outward Bound outpost. It was just us, the weka, the seals, and the bush, and it was wonderful. 

Listening to the birds and the ocean, and being with a group of people who were all reliant on each other, has changed what I value in life and who I want to be. Especially since we didn't have phones or other distractions, we could fully immerse ourselves in the experience.  Everyone who is able should go on Outward Bound; there is something there that will be invaluable for everyone.