On the 5th of July, I set off on the 21 day adventure of Outward Bound, based in Anakiwa (the very top of the South Island, in the Queen Charlotte Sound). The ‘Mind Body Soul’ course is an action packed course for 16-18 year olds throughout New Zealand.

I was put with a group of 12 amazing people, consisting of 8 boys and 4 girls, together we made up the watch of Kupe 691. With many challenges placed upon us, we had to knuckle down and learn to face them as a team. Living with 11 strangers day and night for 21 days is a completely surreal experience, and for at least the first 10 days I felt as if this was a dream. Everybody was so different, everyone had different perspectives and backgrounds, but we had to learn to adjust, to suit each other's needs.

Every morning that we were based at camp, we woke up at 6:30 to start the day off with a P.T session, which at Outward Bound stood for ‘Personal Time’. In complete silence, we followed our instructors through a very long and painful warm up (which on the first day had my watch complaining the whole day), then a quick 3 km run along the Sound and to finish it off a jump off the jetty into the icy, cold winter sea. P.T had to be completed no matter the weather, and we literally had rain, hail and shine.

The rest of the day was a complete mystery, and we all were unaware of the challenges we were going to face that day. The activities we took part in consisted of tramping, kayaking, Waka Ama, sailing, community service, rock climbing, orienteering, high ropes, low ropes, a solo, a half-marathon and many other small activities to fill the gaps. We did all these activities to prepare us for our 5-day journey near the end of the course that we had to complete as a group with no instructor help. Our journey consisted of two and a half days sailing, and two and a half days tramping. Unfortunately for us, there were 120 km/h winds meaning it was too dangerous to sail, resulting in us being towed for 2 days over 1.5/2 metre swells and harsh rain. Three of us became seasick, and the rest struggled to stay warm, we had the instructors laughing at us from the boat ahead.

Not only were we all pushed physically, but also mentally. Being away from home with no phone for 21 days was very difficult, with the only point of contact being through written letters. We were all tired and had to look after ourselves and each other to make sure that we would all make it out of this course together. The other girls and I did have a few near breaking points:

1. when the boys used all the hot water in the showers

2. when the boys ate all the dinner one night

……. but aside from this, our group really did become one big family.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned from my time away, is that ‘it’s a matter of perspective’. That is, how you look at something or think about something determines the outcome; what it is or how we think something is going to be, determines the end result, and this relates to how powerful your mind truly is. If you look at something negatively, you’re going to think of it negatively or/and find it harder to complete. Whereas if you look at something positively, you’ll think of it positively, be more efficient and have fun while doing it.

I was so fortunate to have been offered this opportunity and will forever carry the lessons and memories that were made at Outward Bound. This was by far one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I am sure it will continue to be for a long time. I am so amazed how friendships were formed from such a short amount of time and how much trust we built for each other. I have learnt so many valuable things about myself and others that I am able to put to good use now and in the future. Although this experience was challenging, I loved every minute of it and encourage any of you who have this opportunity to take it, you won’t regret it.

Thank you to the Otago Community Trust for their annual scholarship that allows young people the opportunity to have this amazing experience.