Jocelyn, an incoming first year at Lafayette College, was selected to be a summer student at Babson Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy during her final days in Rwanda. Below she reflects on the experience and what she learned from the innovation-focused program.

Babson Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy (BELA) was very efficient. As participants, it increased our motivation and eagerness to learn, and allowed us to comprehend how to take actions in entrepreneurship. We learned to pitch an idea promptly and successfully–a sign of leadership. As the young generation in Rwanda, it is crucial that we grasp the connection between entrepreneurship and leadership—a link BELA demonstrated well to all the participants.

Personally, I particularly enjoyed this opportunity because I intend to major in Biology–a scientific field– and the Academy made me understand how entrepreneurship can be applied to this sector. As a result, I don’t view Biology as a static field, but a field that can bring many wonders if it is practiced with the spirit of entrepreneurship. I don’t have everything figured out yet in this area, but BELA opened my eyes to the many opportunities that lay ahead in my field of studies.

As a bonus, I was also able to make friends and connect with a lot of new people. It was done so naturally that another participant at the end of the program asked me if I knew all the people I was hanging out with before BELA—and of course I did not. Prior to my arrival at Byimana Science School, where the Academy was held, I knew no one. However, after five days, I had made great friends and now when I look back it feels like I have known them forever. It truly felt like high school over again.

In sum, I can describe this week in August spent at the BELA as the perfect last days in Rwanda. I had wished for an opportunity like this, before leaving for the US, and beginning my journey at Lafayette College, and I got it.