Utah — When I learned that I would be backpacking through the desert for my Experiential Education course led by my father,  I honestly considered switching to a college tour. For days I was jealous of all my friends going to San Diego to surf, or to New York City to help in soup kitchens. In fact, I dreaded the whole thing- it seemed like just another family hiking trip.

However, I was surprised. What I experienced was unimaginable, and I am chagrined that I had these preconceived notions about a trip that I am now so thankful for. It turns out, a week in the canyons can change your life. I know this is a cliché, but this time, it’s a cliché for a reason.

As a junior and barely a month into the semester, I am already swamped with homework, SAT stress and three sports. On the first day of our trip, all I could think about was future test scores and my social life. What was I going to do without my technology for a week? Already, I was itching to check my grades; I missed my friends and being home.

On the second day, we had to swim through neck deep giardia-ridden mud, which no one was especially ecstatic about. After that swim, with the help of the other group members, I climbed up a slippery slot canyon wall. The next day, we had to travel 15 miles overland, desperately searching for water while battling hallucinations. At the time, I felt exhausted, thirsty, and just wanted to get to camp. But, looking back, those were just a few of the struggles that our group shared to help us bond and create such a memorable experience. I will never forget pumping water with my new friends, laughing at the day’s trials. I will never forget getting up in the middle of the night to set up the tents, giggling at everyone’s bed heads, or the golf-ball sized hail that left everyone with goose eggs on their heads.

We slept under the stars and despite our exhaustion, talked for hours about our future, our regrets, and surprisingly deep topics that I have never pondered before. I realized so many things as we surveyed the constellations- that the world is so large, so unexplored, so beautiful. My social problems that seemed so significant before seemed so trivial and subordinate compared to the principles I know now are important to me.

Backpacking into the late hours of every day gave me so much time to think, to realize, to learn. I uncovered my true values when we ran out of water, or when my peers helped me overcome my fear of heights with rappelling. I realized that without my new friends’ help, I would probably still be stuck in that canyon today.

Although I always had an appreciation of nature from my family and the outdoor sports I play, I had never really connected and been inspired by the wilderness. Water, wildlife and greenery was scarce, but each morning when we woke at sunrise, I was awestruck by the beauty of the canyon and of this unexplored world around us. Never once did I wish I had my phone to take a photo and wow Instagram with its allure. Never once did I check the time, or worry about a schedule. Once in that canyon, our biggest worry was which “Mountain House” to eat for dinner.

Ex-ed is more than just a week in the desert or surfing. Rather, it was a rejuvenation of the mind, soul and spirit. It was more than just a “walk on the wild side”. It was a way to connect with the outdoors, get in touch with true values, make friendships and create memories that will last forever. Don’t take it for granted, because even though I grumbled about being placed on my dad’s course for weeks before, this experience was one that I can honestly say was life changing and AHS students are more than lucky to have this opportunity.