Land of Dreams

As we took off from three Baltic capital cities' airports, various expectations, dreams, and hopes were rushing through our minds. American movies, books, and ideas have fascinated and inspired us. They have profoundly shaped the way we think, dream, work and live. 

Thus, the idea of flying to the US and immersing ourselves in American culture felt surreal. Yet, there we were, on our way to the land of dreams, eagerly awaiting our arrival as we peered through the tiny airplane windows. 

While the main goal of the Leadership Academy program is to equip students with entrepreneurial skills to develop the ability to identify and seize opportunities using perseverance, and ingenuity, cultural experience is an integral part of the program. Experiencing foreign cultures broadens perspective, expands worldview, and develops empathy contributing to one’s ability to foster international connections, think on a global scale. 

For me, and many other students from the Baltics, the US has played a special role in the development of our sense of self. American culture captivated my mind and represented the idea of freedom and progress. 

My friend, Kārlis, perfectly captured the imagination of American culture that many of us had:  “As most kids from Eastern Europe, who watched many American movies in his childhood, the USA was a land of dreams - unlimited sweets, celebrities, and fun”. 

Upon our arrival in Boston, we were greeted by vast parking lots, pickup trucks, and an abundance of flags, validating our visualization of the US. The US seemed to mirror our image of a vast, vibrant, diverse, and lively society. 

As we got to know our program leaders, and professors, meet local people, and spent more than ten days in Maine, we began to grasp the local mindset.

“Before I came here, I idealized this place a lot more. However, after coming here, I realized that the USA is not a paradise, but just another wonderful place on earth, with its own advantages and disadvantages,” says one of my fellow Leadership Academy students Džiugas. 

One clear distinction that everyone seemed to agree on was positivity - Americans stood out for their unique qualities of unwavering optimism and open-mindedness. Receiving positive feedback and energy feels empowering and motivating.

Iren, a Leadership Academy student from Estonia, told me that she was positively surprised by the way Americans communicate: “Being here has shown me how open and nice people are here and how they love to talk about anything”. 

Another subject that some students were worried about was food. The US is known for high-fat and high-sugar products. While it is certainly true that American food significantly differs from our food in the Baltics, most of us managed to get energy and joy from the food here. 

One of the students I talked to, Eliise, told me that food was her main worry before arriving in the US. However, contrary to her expectations, she enjoyed the choice and the taste of the food we were given. 

Eliise also points out that many people we met in the US do not know a lot about the Baltic region. That is why I realized that being able to present the region you represent in a captivating, original, and respectful way is a skill worth mastering. 

During the program, we were given the task of coming up with an idea to make Portland more sustainable. To receive feedback about our ideas we went to Portland and interviewed people on the streets. We noticed that people were more responsive, encouraging, and open than we would expect in the Baltics. 

Reflecting on more than ten days spent studying and experiencing new culture, Iren came up with a piece of advice for future Leadership Academy students: “I would suggest being open and willing to communicate with people who, at first, may not seem to be your immediate preference. You're here for 3 weeks and connections don't just make themselves. You never know who you might need in the future.”

“Apply, don’t be scared, and enjoy everything,” Kārlis told me, providing perhaps the most important piece of advice for people coming to this program next year.

- Maksim