“The best things in life are unexpected – because there were no expectations.”
Eli Khamarov
If a single quote can summarize how I happened to participate in SpeakOut 2.0, this would be it. As undergraduates, we are constantly bombarded with google forms to register for all sorts of activities. Hence, I was indifferent when filing the registration form for SpeakOut. I didn’t have the slightest idea as to what SpeakOut was. But looking back, I am truly glad I signed up for this life-changing experience.
Joining the first session I was nervous. There were many participants and we had been assigned to smaller groups with an instructor each. Most participants were shy and nervous to speak at first. But the instructors were super friendly, and eventually, everyone joined in on the conversation.
After that first session, SpeakOut sessions had become something that we would look forward to. The positive and friendly environment created by all the fellow Gaveliers created a safe space for everyone to start their public speaking journey in an exceptional way. It was nothing like a regular workshop or lecture, SpeakOut gave that feeling of hanging out with your friends and just talking for hours. And with every session, we would learn various public speaking skills and try out those skills with valuable and uplifting feedback from our mentors.
By the end of the 9 sessions of SpeakOut, our speaking skills had improved so much. But more important are the friendships we have made along the way. The participants as well as the mentors of SpeakOut had all bonded together so much that it was heartbreaking to think that the journey was coming to an end. In the final session, it was amazing to see everyone come together and pick roles to host our very own educational meeting as we bid farewell to SpeakOut with cherished memories.
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