Lizzy joined more than four hundred twenty-five international students representing fifteen different countries for the weeklong seminar held in July 2018 at Loyola University Chicago’s Lakeshore Campus. Founded in 1958, HOBY is the nation’s foremost nonprofit youth leadership development organization.

After being one of three IHA students chosen to attend the HOBY state conference this year, Lizzy then decided to apply to the WLC. She was told that her experience at the World Leadership Congress would be “like that of the state seminar, x100.”

“After being chosen, I was really excited and I could not wait,” Lizzy said. “My brother had attended the World Congress six years before me, and he still talks about how great his experience was. I was hopeful that I was going to have a great time and make many memories.”

Now in its fiftieth year, the World Leadership Congress is a dynamic leadership program that brings together students from the U.S. and abroad. WLC attendees had access to a distinguished group of leaders from a variety of backgrounds including business, government, international affairs, science and technology, medicine, media, and education. The weeklong program included interactive and dynamic educational sessions, collaborative workshops, leadership exercises, community service projects, and individualized training.

Lizzy said she truly enjoyed meeting so many people from all over the world and learning about their cultures. “My roommate was from Hong Kong, so I stayed up late many nights just talking to her about the differences between our cultures.” Lizzy enjoyed serving with the Glamour Girls organization at a local nursing home during the WLC, and her favorite speaker was Carla Hall, who spoke on how to be a leader and make a difference in the world.

“The students attending the WLC have demonstrated outstanding character, leadership, and determination,” said Javier LaFianza, president and CEO of HOBY Leadership. “Every single HOBY WLC volunteer can attest to this group’s ability to create a positive change in the world. There is no doubt that this week has prepared everyone for a lifetime of successful leadership, devoted to improving our communities and the world, in service to others.”