Nearly two weeks ago I gazed out of the plane window and watched as Grand Bahama Island disappeared into the distance. I said a bittersweet and silent goodbye to the place that I had spent the last 10 days, and that had changed my life in more ways than one.

For those of you who don't know, I was lucky enough to take a 10 day service trip to Freeport, Bahamas with over 40 other members of ENACTUS. I immersed myself in the culture, experienced new things and bonded with some of the best people I have ever known. If I were to go on about all of the things that I accomplished and witnessed during my ten days in Freeport, I would be writing a novel. However, I decided that I would share the 10 most valuable life lessons that I learned during those 10 days.

1. Always be thankful for everything you have.

This is probably one of the most important lessons I've learned, if not the most important one. I had always believed in the importance of showing gratitude and appreciation for many things in my life. However, when I went to the Bahamas I witnessed a country filled with devastation and people who had much less than I. The people I encountered during those 10 days were some of the brightest people I had ever witnessed. If they can be so incredibly happy with so little, than I am more than capable of being thankful for all I that have. I now no longer care to complain about the little inconveniences in my life anymore. I realized the power of a simple, "Thank you."

2. You can be a leader, as much as you tell yourself you can't.

I've always known that I've had the ability to be a leader, I just never proved it to myself until the trip. Presenting a two-hour long seminar to local business officials on digital media, doing service work to recover from hurricane Matthew, and teaching in local schools were just a few of the ways I experienced being a leader. I tried so many new things during the trip and I discovered that I do have the power to guide others, but I tend to doubt my own abilities. I not only noticed myself taking action during the trip, but I witnessed so many of the other members started to gain more confidence as the trip progressed and take initiative as well.

3. Break out of your comfort zone more.

The entire trip itself was a new experience for me. I was forced to break out of my comfort zone on a daily basis-- whether it was presenting in front of over 50 people, sharing personal stories during nightly reflection or even just talking to someone I didn't know. Being shy for the majority of my life, I had grown out of my shell during the trip and realized that I needed to step out of my comfort zone more, even if I doubt myself at first.

4. Stay motivated.

I felt like my life had so much more purpose in the Bahamas. The 7 a.m. wakeup calls nearly every morning were refreshing because I knew that I would begin another day with a purpose to make a difference. Once I returned to St. Bonaventure after being in the Bahamas for nearly 10 days, I felt myself slacking already, and it was only syllabus week. However, now I feel motivated to accomplish all of my goals because I was able to make an impact in the Bahamas and I realized I have just as much of an opportunity to do that here as well.

5. Make an effort to get to know those around you.

During those 10 days I got to know so many people that I didn't know before. Spending nearly two weeks with over 40 individuals who you didn't know before forces you to get to know them. When you're working together, you grow as individuals and you grow together. No one is able to share the bond that we all have now, because we were given an opportunity unlike any other. From this experience, I realized I need to get to know more people around me. I need to acknowledge that people are more than all they portray on the outside. They have dreams, goals, and aspirations just like everyone else, and I should make more of an attempt to understand other individuals than those who are immediately close to me.

6. Embrace positivity.

While working in the schools I realized just how powerful positivity can be. The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students brought so much happiness into my life with their radiant smiles, contagious laughs, and captivating energy, and I only spent two days with them. Their positivity inspired me to be more positive in my own life. I realized that no matter how bad things may seem, I have to believe that I am a source of light in at least one person's life.

7. Be loud.

Now if you went on the trip, you know exactly what I mean. With the many (and seemingly never-ending) run-throughs we did before our seminar, I kept receiving the same critique, "You need to be louder." Being loud has always been a struggle of mine because I'm such a soft-spoken person. But, when I stepped in front of over 50 Bahamians and other fellow ENACTUS members, I was able to project my voice in a way I hadn't ever before. I realized I can be loud and outspoken among a crowd, and that I should really try it out more often.

8. Never doubt the abilities of yourself or those around you.

I often doubt my own abilities which is something I've surely outgrown during the trip. I know that I am capable of anything I put my mind too. However, the real thing I want to give credit to here is all of the teachers in the world. I've heard the saying, "Those who can't, teach" way too often. It's not that I didn't give teachers credit or disregarded their abilities before, but I never realized all that they deal with on a daily basis. Going into a classroom and teaching for the first time was an experience I will never forget. Children will always keep you on your toes, that's for sure. And teachers are some of the most patient people I have ever met. I hope I will continue to gain more experience teaching in classrooms because I want to be able to handle myself and children as well as all of the head teachers did on the trip.

9. Phones are not mandatory.

With limited access to wifi, I found myself reaching for my phone less as each day went by. Of course I needed to post the occasional Instagram to show all of my followers all of the fun I was having, but I mean who wouldn't? I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders because I was not worried about what others were posting online. I didn't have contact with my closest friends and family members either, which was a struggle at first, but then it gave me the perfect opportunity to tell all of them about my experiences in person. Now that I've returned to the states, I have been trying to use my phone a lot less, and I would say that it's been working, so far at least.

10. Cherish every moment.

Without having my phone or worrying about the time of each day, I was able to live in the moment. There were certain parts of the trip-- such as riding in the back of Charles' truck for the first time, receiving hand-made cards from over 20 3rd graders, reflecting around the fire, and attempting to make a pyramid with all of the sophomores before tumbling to the ground for about the 100th time-- where I would look around and savor the moment. Thinking about it now makes me want to go back and experience those things just one more time because everything was so new and exciting for me as well as everyone else who had been on the trip for the first time. I learned that I need to stop overthinking and overanalyzing every little thing in my life and just look around and take in my surroundings. We are all captivated by moments that will eventually become experiences, and those experiences will define who we are as individuals. I will cherish every moment I had on the trip because it certainly made an impact on who I am today.