Leadership academy 2025, by Lota Bachfeldt

Week 1

The first week was a BLAST, a BLAST in capital letters.

The journey here wasn’t the smoothest: we missed our layover in Frankfurt, nevertheless, our spirits were high. We stayed a night in Frankfurt and had our flight to Boston the next day. At about 1 AM, when I finally entered our dorms, I felt exhausted and couldn’t wait to get some sleep.

The next day, I woke up and chatted with my roommate. I instantly realised how lucky I was to have Izabele as my roommate. She was warm, funny and easy to connect with. She was just one of the incredible people I would come to know over the next three weeks. The first two days felt a bit uncertain, everything was new: the people, the dorms, the food…
Despite that, I did not feel scared, I was rather excited. I had a strong feeling that what I was about to experience would be nothing like I’d done before.

Our first classes with our incredible teacher Richard immediately confirmed that. We dove into topics like the right and the left brain and explored various meditation techniques. Richards’ classes were genuinely captivating. Unlike in school, where my attention can sometimes drift, here I was hooked. What we learned wasn’t just theoretical; it was something I could use in my everyday life. Now I’ve been using these techniques every day. It helps me to activate my right brain, feel more creative and relaxed. It’s not just about academics here, it’s about growing as a person.

Outside the classroom, the experience was just as rich. The campus was absolutely gorgeous. We spent our free time exploring the area, swimming at the beach, playing volleyball, and hanging out in the lobby, chatting or playing pool. One evening, we went to a concert in a local park and visited Dollar Tree. Another day, we drove a bus to Portland Old Town. It was incredibly picturesque and felt like something straight out of a postcard. We also volunteered at the Tri for a Cure triathlon, cheering on participants as they ran past. It was an incredibly rich experience that made us feel like part of the local community.

In the first week, I had a minor culture shock, but in the best possible way. People here are incredibly kind and open. Even small talk in the cafeteria or while waiting in line feels natural here. It’s so different from the Baltics in that sense. On Sunday, we visited Target, and that was another cultural moment in itself. I couldn’t believe how massive the store was. There was everything from snacks and electronics to furniture and clothes. I remember walking through the aisles with wide eyes, shocked about the variety of different cereals, chips and drinks. I will definitely miss that, when back home.
One of the highlights of the week was taking the classic yellow American school bus to the mall and Target. It felt straight out of a movie. It’s the little things like that that made this program so special.
The time flew by. And even though I didn’t know exactly what was waiting for me in the next two weeks, I knew one thing for sure: that it was going to be unforgettable.

Week 2

Week 2 began to feel more like a rhythm. Classes continued, and by now I had fully settled into the flow of campus life. Richard’s lessons stayed engaging—we dove deeper into self-awareness, empathy and how our thoughts shape our actions. It made me pause and reflect more intentionally on what I was doing here, and how I was growing.
One of the most unexpected highlights was the talent show. Honestly, my expectations weren’t very high, but I was definitely wrong. It ended up being one of the most heartwarming and entertaining evenings so far. My roommate and I did karaoke to “Why’d you only call me when you're high?” by Arctic Monkeys. We chose this song because by the second week we had realised we have many common interests, Arctic Monkeys being one of them. People were so open and supportive, it didn’t matter if someone sang, danced, or just told jokes. The energy in the room was pure joy. There was no judgment, only encouragement. It made me admire this group of people even more.
The free time was fun. We visited SMCC’s gym and tanned on the beach. Some evenings were spent just talking with friends in the lobby, laughing and chatting about our lives. And it’s here that I felt something shift emotionally. At some point during this week, I leaned in more emotionally. It’s hard to describe, but something clicked. The conversations grew deeper, the bonds stronger. I started to understand how meaningful this experience really is. These people I met just a short time ago now feel like lifelong friends.

On Saturday, we visited Portland once again. We explored the city, walked along the harbor, and even tried oysters. It was my first time tasting them! Not something I’d eat every day, but hey, when in Maine…

By the end of Week 2, I could feel the excitement growing for what’s still ahead. There’s this bittersweet awareness that the program won’t last forever, but instead of feeling sad, it makes me want to be even more present, to soak up every moment, every laugh, every conversation.

Week 3 (last week)

It’s hard to believe that three weeks flew by this fast. Week 3 was everything at once, it was joyful, emotional, reflective, and full of unforgettable memories.

At the beginning of the week we started working on our capstone projects. Working with my group was genuinely enjoyable: we challenged each other’s ideas, laughed in between brainstorming sessions, and stayed up way too late finalizing slides. After our presentations, there was a bittersweet feeling in the air. We all knew this amazing chapter was coming to an end, but at the same time, we felt proud of what we had accomplished. Everyone said the same thing: let’s keep in touch. And I really hope we do.

Wednesday evening we had the lobster dinner. We learned about the lobster culture in Maine and how to break the lobster shell. It was scary at first, but the taste was so worth it! In the evening we took a spontaneous swim at the beach. The cold Atlantic and the laughter of friends in the water made it one of those memories that will stay with me forever. Pure freedom, pure happiness.
On Thursday, we had a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner and closing ceremony. I don’t think any of us were prepared for how emotional it would be. There were tears, lots of them. It’s amazing how in such a short time, people can go from strangers to feeling like family. That night was full of gratitude, hugs, and the realization that this experience had genuinely changed us.

Then came the final morning. Packing up the room, now empty and quiet, felt surreal. Just three weeks ago, I arrived exhausted and unsure. Now I was leaving with a full heart. It truly felt like coming full circle.

New York

We drove to New York by bus, and as the Bronx buildings started to rise around us, I could feel the energy shift. The buzz, the chaos, the skyline - it was everything I had imagined and more. Seeing the city unfold through the bus window felt like stepping into a movie.
First, we visited the UN headquarters. As an individual interested in MUN and international relations, it was a dream come true. Then we had dinner in a chinese restaurant and headed to the Empire State Building. This was definitely the highlight of the NYC trip for me. The New York skyline looked majestic in the night. We were up there for only 15 minutes, but that experience I will never forget.
The next day we took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Seeing the statue, which I had only ever seen in books or on screens, felt surreal. After the ferry ride, we spent the rest of the day exploring more of the city: walking through Central Park, grabbing fresh bagels for lunch (which absolutely lived up to the hype), and of course, experiencing the chaos and lights of Times Square.

New York was loud, fast, and intense, but at the same time, completely unforgettable. It was a city that demanded you to be present, to take it all in, and I tried my best to do exactly that.

Washington D.C.

Then came Washington D.C. It had a completely different vibe compared to NYC, but it was just as memorable. We explored the Smithsonian museums, stood in front of the White House and the Lincoln Memorial, and had an incredible guided tour of the city. The next day was filled with surprises. It was my birthday, and to my complete shock, my friends had prepared a thoughtful little celebration. They gave me a small gift and made me feel so seen and appreciated, it honestly became the best birthday I’ve ever had. Being so far from home but still surrounded by people who care made the day truly special. I couldn’t have asked for a better place or group of people to celebrate with. That day we also visited the home of George Washington and had dinner at UNO’s, tried Crumbl cookies and discovered the beautiful small town of Alexandria.

The next day, we visited the Capitol. One of the most meaningful moments for me, though, was our meeting with JBANC (Joint Baltic American National Committee). It was inspiring on so many levels. I loved the opportunity to connect with Estonian diplomats. It was fascinating to hear about their work, their path into diplomacy, and the role Estonia plays in transatlantic cooperation. It’s a career I’ve been curious about for a long time, and this experience confirmed my interest even more.

Goodbyes…

And then, just like that, it was time to say goodbye.
I don’t think I fully realized how much this experience meant to me until we were all standing in the airport, hugging each other tightly, trying to hold back tears and mostly failing. It’s such a strange feeling: knowing that just three weeks ago, most of us were complete strangers, and now, we couldn’t imagine leaving each other.
The hardest part about the goodbyes wasn’t just leaving the people, it was leaving the shared moments. The inside jokes, the deep late-night conversations, the spontaneous adventures, the support we gave each other when someone had a hard day… all of that lived in this little bubble we had built together. And bursting that bubble hurt.
But at the same time, there was something beautiful about it. The sadness we all felt only confirmed how strong the connections were. We weren’t just saying goodbye, we were saying see you later, because many of us truly meant it when we said we’d keep in touch. And even if we’re scattered across the Baltics now, I know that these people, these memories, and this experience will stay with me.

The BAFF Leadership Academy changed me more than I expected. It opened my mind, expanded my worldview, introduced me to brilliant, kind, inspiring people, and made me feel hopeful about the future. Saying goodbye was hard, but I left with a full heart.

And that’s the best kind of ending.

Written by Lota Bachfeldt, August 2025