As the founder of Progression, it was deeply inspiring to witness our team engage in personal growth and development during the AEE conference in India.
Having the opportunity to adventure together—whether exploring the city, sampling new foods, hiking to stunning forts, or diving headfirst into the learning and development offered by the conference—reminded me how crucial it is to provide these moments of exploration and connection. Experiencing the vibrance, incredible excitement, and diversity of India added a unique richness to the entire experience. Interacting with master facilitators like Chris Cavert, whom I reconnected with after more than a decade, and Vishwas Parchure, a legend of experiential education in India, was equally inspiring. Learning from such masters helped me realize that while my team was growing and learning, so was I. Together, we fueled our collective progression and commitment to impactful work.
Below, our team members Byron, Pui, and Bo share their reflections on the conference, providing a glimpse into the personal and professional growth they experienced. Their insights highlight the transformative power of stepping out of comfort zones, embracing challenges, and diving into learning.
Byron’s Reflections
“Attending the AEE conference was an immersion into experiential education that aligned perfectly with my passion for seeing transformation in people and communities. While stepping into this new world was challenging, it also felt like a natural fit. The facilitators demonstrated experiential education in action, which made it easy to adapt and take away valuable lessons.I was particularly excited to explore three key ideas.
First, the shift from being a teacher to becoming a facilitator, where the focus is on creating dynamic, reflective experiences rather than just delivering auditory lessons. Second, the importance of designing programs that foster vulnerability, inspired by Brene Brown’s quote: ‘Vulnerability is the birthplace of creativity, innovation, and change.’ Finally, I was intrigued by the idea of developing an entrepreneurial mindset in youth by helping them observe and understand problems before jumping to solutions. One of the most challenging moments was being asked to design and facilitate an intentional activity on the spot. It pushed me to think creatively and ensure the activity’s design aligned with deeper impacts.
This experience has reaffirmed my dedication to designing impactful programs that prioritize outcomes over activities and inspires me to continue growing as a facilitator.”
Pui’s Reflections
“The AEE conference was an enriching experience that significantly enhanced my facilitation skills. I learned so much, from the creative use of games in corporate settings to integrating artistic skills that elevate debriefing sessions. Observing experienced trainers adapt their behavior, gestures, and words to suit each activity was incredibly inspiring and gave me new ideas for my own facilitation style. The biggest challenge for me was understanding English in the diverse accents of my fellow participants. At times, I struggled with unfamiliar words and had to ask for clarification or translation. Through persistence and careful listening, I expanded my vocabulary and learned how to adapt in a multilingual environment.
This experience has boosted my confidence and given me tools I can share with colleagues and participants. I feel more equipped to contribute meaningfully to our team and programs, and I’m excited to put these new skills into practice.”
Bo’s Reflections
“Attending my first international conference was both eye-opening and challenging. I found myself particularly intrigued by new approaches to facilitation, like using circles versus gatherings to create different group dynamics, and the emphasis on setting clear intentions when designing program components. Participating in the event gave me practical insights and reinforced the importance of thoughtful program development.Language barriers were a significant hurdle for me. It was tough to keep up with the new vocabulary and content in some workshops. However, I adopted a learning mindset, asked for help when needed, and focused on absorbing as much as I could. These strategies helped me overcome the challenges and made the experience incredibly rewarding.Stepping outside my comfort zone made me realize how much more there is to learn. This conference has motivated me to keep exploring new possibilities and continuously enhance my facilitation skills.”
Final Thoughts
The AEE conference was not just an opportunity for professional development but a reminder of why we do what we do at Progression. As a team, we’re committed to fostering growth and creating meaningful experiences for others. This trip to India highlighted the importance of stepping out of our routines to engage with new perspectives, build connections, and challenge ourselves. Experiencing the vibrance and diversity of India added to the richness of the journey, offering moments of excitement and inspiration at every turn. Interacting with master facilitators like Chris Cavert and Vishwas Parchure reinforced the idea that learning is a lifelong journey. While my team was growing and learning, I was too, fueling our collective progression and deepening our commitment to impactful work.
Together, we look ahead to 2025 with renewed energy and commitment to building a future where opportunities like these are a cornerstone of what we offer our team and community. The journey of progression is ongoing, and this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
