Outside Perspectives Executive Director Presents on Expedition Fears and Anxieties.

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Outside Perspectives Executive Director, Nicola Wood, was invited to present Saturday, April 30th to the World Challenge organization in Boston, Massachusetts.  Nicola spoke about managing fear, anxieties, and eating difficulties while on expedition. World Challenge is the leading provider of life-changing school expeditions to remote and foreign locations around the world.


Here are a few of Nicola's thoughts following the presentation.  "I was humbled to present to such an amazing organization and was so excited to meet with the team leaders and teachers about to embark on their journeys.  World Challenge is clearly working to support youth on a far deeper level than just providing them with an exciting adventure. It is so inspiring to be in the presence of like-minded folks who share in the ideals of experiential educational."


For more information, check out the WORLD CHALLENGE website.


With similar goals to Outside Perspectives, World Challenge expeditions have an international focus and are designed to develop important life skills, helping students to:




  • Hone teamwork and leadership skills

  • Gain confidence and self-esteem

  • Become more globally aware

  • Enhance employment prospects


World Challenge sponsored the conference for their Trip Leaders and Teachers to prepare them for their upcoming expeditions. A strong increase in fear, anxieties and eating difficulties amongst students has been noticed on courses and the organization is seeking positive and effective ways to support students who are struggling. Nicola, with a masters degree in social work and over a decade of experience working with youth on expeditions, had great insights on the subject. Nicola spoke about how to identify anxieties, how to mitigate stressors, and offered tools for responding to anxiety and stress in the field. She also fielded questions and shared her thoughts on why these increases are being witnessed.


Anxiety and stress are normal reactions to challenging and unusual situations that arise from time to time in our lives. Programs like World Challenge and Outside Perspectives provide adventure opportunities and support youth in learning to harness fear and anxiety in order to build resiliency. These organizations know that by pushing students outside their comfort zones they are giving them the tools they need to face a difficult and demanding world with flexibility and optimism. Encouraging youth into a wider world of experience builds self-confidence and can lead to transformative realizations about their capabilities.


Outside Perspectives wishes World Challenge all the best in the exciting and important work that lies ahead for them. They are clearly having huge impacts on the lives of the youth they work serve!


 

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