Students Reach New Leadership Heights at Ropes Course
May 19, 2009
The students taking part in the May Internship did much more than hone their leadership skills. They traversed elements, scaled walls and crossed wires on a high ropes challenge course May 13 near Dazey, N.D.
Open to student leaders on campus, the two-week internship, May 11-22, helps participants better serve their roles through lessons and workshops in scheduling, interviewing, networking and planning. The students meet and hear from administrators on campus, as well as explore ways they can strengthen their organizations. They also spend time preparing their specific organizations for the upcoming academic year.
Erika Swenson ’11, Fargo, N.D., says she has grown immensely throughout the internship and is looking forward to seeing how the training will benefit her next academic year, both as a student and a member of Student Government Association. At the ropes course, Swenson conquered her fear of heights as she took part in trust falls, teambuilding exercises and walking on the high ropes. But says she took away so much more from the experience.
“The support and encouragement from my fellow interns made me face my fear, put my harness on and start climbing,” Swenson says. 
Jess Almlie, assistant director of Student Leadership Development, says the ropes course is a perfect way to provide interns with hands-on experience that is impossible to teach in a workshop.
“In order to accomplish goals, the interns must work together and consider different facets of leadership,” she says.
Peace Eneh ’11, Nigeria, says working cohesively with the other students taught her the importance of communication, trust, cooperation and the need for a common purpose in a group.
“I’ve grown so much as a leader as a result of this internship,” Eneh says. “It’s equipped us with tools that will help us perform better in a group, whether it’s as a leader or a follower.”
