Imagine stepping off a bus after hours of travel, chatter flooding the air as students gather from across the state with one goal: to compete and win. Each year, clubs such as Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), Robotics, Publications etc. offer opportunities to travel and compete. These events provide students the chance to live independently, apply what they’ve learned in class to real-world scenarios, strengthen their connections with their clubmates and allow each student to push themselves in order to win the competition.
Travelling can help foster personal growth within children and develop their skills. When in a foreign environment, students are forced to live independently instead of having their parents take care of them. Doing so, students are better prepared for college and adulthood where they will most likely move out and take care of themselves. Moreover, students may take the opportunity to lead others who feel overwhelmed as well as build their team’s confidence in order to perform. High-pressure situations common, but being forced to compete for awards in an unfamiliar environment is the best way to combat the pressure. By participating in these events, students are able to build several skills that can benefit them in school and even in their future.
Competitions in these various regions push students to compete at a higher level, mirroring real-world job markets. Not only do these experiences benefit their college applications, they also act as stepping stones to future careers. Just like in the workforce, your success depends on your ability to prepare, adapt and to perform under pressure. Facing strong competition with a similar desire to win, students are encouraged to refine their skills. For example, I have a few friends who would always dread the idea of travelling in order to compete because they were afraid of failing. However, after their first FBLA event, they returned and always talked about how they craved the feeling of preparing, performing and seeing the results of their hard work.
Travelling to compete also helps strengthen bonds between students and develop teamwork skills. From long bus rides to late night strategy discussions, students are able to bond over shared experiences.. Being exposed to collaboration with teammates ensures that students will gain the important skill of working within a team.
Encouraging students to travel for competitions is an investment in their growth, both academically and personally. Beyond the awards they win, students build essential life skills that can shape them into strong leaders. Schools and parents should support these opportunities, recognizing the value that these events offer.
