(contd.) The fearless leader who begins speeches in front of important potential ITASA sponsors with a meek apology for not being able to speak Mandarin fluently. The fearless leader suddenly holding a $65,000 budget for ITASA in her lap....

I used to be the antithesis of a leader. I lacked all public speaking skills - for instance, my first stint at public speaking was when I had to introduce someone else, so no speech there. All I had to say was my name and the next person's name…and not surprisingly, I completely forgot my own name. Additionally, fund-raising more than 25 cents from people I had never met before is certainly a new experience for me and hence as UPenn was announced as the next host for the ITASA conference, my legs shook and my hands trembled.

It would seem as though with all this pressure and responsibility of leading a student conference for hundreds of East Coast college-ites, I should have every reason to be fearful and not fearless. Especially, having just graduated from the "antithesis-of-a-leader" phase. But surprisingly, there lies a passion in all of this mayhem that keeps me going. Through countless e-mails, temper tantrums and tears, the one thing that drives me on is my passion for the conference. Not only because I realize the importance of having an awareness for personal heritage, but also because here is an open door to challenge my leadership skills.

I've learned that in these four years in college, you're allowed to mess up and I've discovered how crucially important this time is for students preparing to pave their own paths in the working world. In fact, I've simply learned that you're allowed to try anything your heart darn well pleases. And you're allowed to push yourself to the limit without a care in the world. The minute we all step out into the real world, folks, you will be expected to already have those leadership skills. It doesn't matter what profession you'll be going into; they will want to know that you have some inkling of being a leader.

Yes, by some very lucky measures and incessant head-honcho bugging, my team and I were able to win the bid to host the upcoming ITASA conference. And to tell you the truth, it's been an absolute blast! And though I lack all social life now and think of nothing else than "Dear Lord, how am I going to find $65,000?!" I wouldn't change things for the entire world. Take the plunge, jump the boundaries, do the dew. Heck, do whatever it takes to find your passion and get yourself situated out of your comfort zone. I promise you, it'll be an unbelievable trip. And in the end, fear not stomach ulcers because frankly, it's just the test of a real leader.

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