Fellow Jaycees said to me attending JCI European Academy was the best four days of their life - it was life changing - the best experience of the whole life so far. To be honest I thought it was an exaggeration and didn't think four days in Sweden would actually change my outlook on life and on JCI. 

I applied to attend EA on behalf of the chamber as I wanted to put JCI Leeds is the best possible position during my year. I'm completely for the chamber and can't wait to share my knowledge with the rest of the members. I was extremely lucky to be selected as one of the 76 attendees this year and everything I learnt in those jam packed four days will remain skills and goals for the rest of my JCI and personal career. 

I can't explain the ins and out of everything that went on during those four days because if you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to go you will feel what I feel at this moment in time. I may not be able to explain everything but I would like to share this picture with you.

A picture really does say a thousand words.

During my four days I learnt a lot. I learnt a lot about myself and how I work as an individual and about how I can work as part of a team to get the best possible outcome. Everyone is different, their minds and personalities are different and everyone's colours can change at any point. As Jaycees we need to embrace this. Now I may not be the best digital marketer or the best at budgeting but someone in your team whether discovered or undiscovered will have these strengths and to fully succeed everyone has to contribute what they are brilliant at. By doing this as an organisation we will, one day, be able to achieve our vision of being the ‘leading global network of active citizens', our mission ‘to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change' and achieve our values. 

As an incoming local president for JCI Leeds 2016 I now feel I have the knowledge and the skills to do my best for the Leeds chamber and to help my team be the best they can be. I feel I can comfortably organise and help out with social events, development sessions, training sessions, community events and many many more in collaboration with many local businesses and more importantly our new Strategic Partner Chadwick Lawrence LLP. 

It turns out those people - you know who you are - were right, I was naïve and EA is living proof that four days really can change your life.

By Georgina Freeman, Deputy President, JCI Leeds