My first international JCI experience — and why I’m so glad I said yes
Attending the JCI European Conference in Málaga was my first international JCI experience —and honestly, I didn’t quite know what to expect. As a new member of JCI Edinburgh, it felt like stepping into something completely new, but also incredibly exciting.
From the moment I arrived, what stood out was the energy. People from across Europe (and beyond) coming together, open to sharing ideas, learning from each other, and just genuinely connecting. It made it really easy to feel like you belonged, even as a first-timer.
What I took away
The conference was packed with sessions, but what made it meaningful was how relevant everything felt. There were conversations around leadership, confidence, and thinking about the future—not just in theory, but in a very real, practical way.
One session that really stayed with me was “The Next Era of Sustainable Leadership” by Betsy Reed.
It shifted how I think about sustainability — not just in terms of impact at an organisational level, but also personally.
It made me reflect on how easy it is to push ourselves continuously at work without thinking about long-term sustainability. The session helped me understand that building a sustainable practice isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing things differently.
A few simple but important things I took away:
- Being more intentional about how I manage my time and energy, not just my workload
- Building habits that allow for consistency over intensity
- Creating ways of working that are sustainable in the long run, so I’m not burnt out in 5 years’ time
It was a reminder that leadership also means taking care of how we show up—not just what we deliver.
Other reflections that stuck with me:
- Learning how common things like self-doubt and imposter syndrome are, even among confident leaders
- Thinking more intentionally about my own goals over the next few years
- Seeing how tools like AI and innovation are shaping how we lead and manage projects
- Realising that leadership is less about titles and more about taking action and learning as you go
The best part: the people
More than anything, it was the people that made the experience.
From quick chats between sessions to longer conversations during events like the Global Village, every interaction gave me a new perspective. Meeting people from different countries and backgrounds really reminded me how valuable it is to step outside your usual circle.
Looking back
Looking back, I think what I valued most was simply being part of something bigger.
For a first conference, it gave me confidence, new ideas, and a much clearer sense of what JCI is all about. It’s not just about attending events—it’s about growing, connecting, and actually doing something with what you learn.
I came back feeling more motivated, more thoughtful about how I work.
I can’t believe I was ever unsure about going to a conference like this. I’m glad I listened to other members of JCI Edinburgh and esp. Gurvinder Singh and just went for it. I got so much more that I expected.
Published by Kalpana Maurya, JCI Edinburgh Member.