Some lessons aren’t printed in ink. Rather, they take shape when a student moves beyond the familiar and is greeted by a person or experience they never expected. During the Fall 2025 semester, two students had the chance to step outside the classroom and experience learning in completely different ways. Felicia Alexander visited the Meta Boomerang office in Los Angeles while Amber Bratlie represented Alaska at The Allstate Foundation’s National Youth Service Summit in Chicago. Their journeys unfolded in different cities and different industries, yet both revealed the same powerful truth: real growth begins the moment students enter spaces, meet people and listen to stories they would never encounter in a traditional lecture.
Giving a pitch at team one - Luxury marketing agency (Lexus, Ritz-Carlton, etc.) Credit: Photo provided by Felicia Alexander Felicia’s visit to Meta offered a glimpse into how a global tech company is shaped by creativity, culture, and human connection. The Boomerang office looked more like an interactive art exhibit than a workspace. Each floor had its own personality filled with local art, themed meeting rooms, and even a full cafeteria with fresh-squeezed orange juice that flowed just as freely as ideas. But it was the panel of employees who transformed the visit from impressive to eye-opening. Only one panelist had taken the conventional path from college into tech while the rest arrived through unexpected routes that allowed them to reinvent themselves along the way. In listening to their stories, Felicia found herself reflecting on her own path toward business and tech. She realized there is space in the industry for people to grow, change directions, and build careers.
The Metropolitan Water District of SoCal, discussing and brainstorming why younger generations aren't using tap water anymore and how to encourage them. Credit: Photo provided by Felicia Alexander Jenn Aguinaldo, a panelist, stood out to Felicia. As Jenn spoke, she carried an energy that felt both real and deeply human. She shared that her job revolves around emerging talent and creators, allowing her to build relationships, revealing a side of Meta that prioritizes people, not just platforms and algorithms. When Felicia asked what the public most misunderstood about Meta, a company lawyer explained how closely the organization works with law enforcement to prevent harmful incidents before they occur. It was an unexpected reminder that technology isn’t only about convenience or entertainment, it can quietly protect communities in ways most people never see. By the end of the visit, Meta felt less like a distant tech giant but rather like a community of people who care about innovation and safety.
Meanwhile in Chicago, Amber entered a completely different world. It was one grounded in service and civic leadership. Amber was the first student from Alaska to step into the National Youth Service Summit, a weekend alive with collaboration, and renewal. From the moment she arrived, she found herself surrounded by young leaders from across the country, each driven by a passion for community change. She joined Family cluster one, guided by Dr. Amrik Johal and alumni leader Kennedy Little – mentors who inspired her in ways she hadn’t anticipated. Everywhere she looked, students were shaping projects from their own communities, and being among them reminded Amber that leadership could take root anywhere, in any setting. Throughout the weekend, speakers shared ideas that stuck with her long after the applause faded. One speaker reminded the room that meaningful change has little to do with critical mass and everything to do with critical connection. Another simply said “You choose what you chase.” Those words reframed how Amber thought about service and leadership.
Greg Weatherford II the Managing Director, The Allstate Foundation & Social Impact and Jessica Sibley the CEO of Time Magazine Credit: Photo provided by Amber Bratlie The Summit also made room for intentional rest. Participants stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, worked in the Convene Willis Tower, and explored places like Navy Pier and the Color Factory. Those moments of reflection and joy allowed them to recharge and connect more deeply with one another.
Shaking hands with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Credit: Picture provided by Amber Bratlie Co-Creation came to life during her Design Sprint Challenge, where her group worked together to design innovative, AI-powered solutions for real-world issues. Her Family Cluster brought unique perspectives and creativity that showed her how collective effort can lead to unique results. It was inspiring to see ideas form, and come to life through teamwork. It was about realizing how much more is possible when every voice is valued. In that moment, the Summit’s theme of co-creation became real: breakthroughs happen not because one person has all the answers, but because a group of people choose to build something better, together.
The 2025 Cohort of the National Youth Leadership Summit Credit: Photo provided by Amber Bratlie As Amber boarded her flight home, she felt grounded and ready to bring her learning back to Alaska. She realized that leadership isn’t something given but rather it’s something practiced. It grows from passion, purpose, and the courage to keep showing up for your community.
At first glance, Felicia and Amber’s experiences could not be more different. One is immersed in the world of tech and creativity, the other rooted in service and civic change. But together, their stories highlight why opportunities outside the classroom matter. These moments invite students to see the world through new lenses, connect with people beyond their usual circles, and imagine futures they may never have considered. Learning doesn’t end when a student closes their textbook. It happens in offices and conference rooms, in airports and hallways, during workshops, late-night conversations, and in every moment students are pushed to think bigger and reach farther. Felicia and Amber’s experiences are reminders that the world becomes a classroom the moment students step into it with curiosity and courage.
This article was developed with the assistance of AI for content organization and refinement. Edited by: Tammy Tragis-McCook and Stacey Currie