I remember driving to my (now) friend Tali’s house almost exactly a year ago for Anachnu Tamid BBG’s fall kickoff, a bikini box painting event. Although this would’ve probably been my 100th BBYO event, this one was entirely different. That's because this event was my very first in a brand new chapter, in a brand new region, in a brand new state, on an entirely different coast of the country.

Two months before that moment, my family made the cross-country move all the way from Portland, OR, to Sarasota, FL. And this meant starting brand new. Switching from the chapter I’d been a part of since 8th grade to a tiny little chapter, one so small, in fact, that this was its very first event since breaking from a BBYO chapter into separate AZA and BBG ones.

Needless to say, I was terrified. After all, I’d already established what it meant for me to be a BBG. I had my traditions I was used to, board positions I’d already held, and I had absolutely no clue what was in store for me at Anachnu Tamid. Truthfully, I thought that there was no possible way BBYO would ever be as good as it was in Oregon.

However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. From the moment I stepped foot in Tali’s house, I was welcomed with open arms. It was as if I’d always been a part of the chapter. I also came to realize the narrow perspective I had of what BBYO could look like.

Although I’d gone to summer programs and international events, I didn’t realize how truly different it is to be a BBYO member in different parts of the world. NFR has its own unique traditions and ways of celebrating Jewish leadership. I came to realize how much of a blessing it was to have experience in a different region. I was able to bring in my old traditions and mix them with the new ones I was learning in Florida.

Now, I serve as the N’siah of my chapter. I lead a group of amazing girls whom I have the privilege of learning from. My BBGs have taught me how to be a better leader, how to lead more meaningful programs, and how to make an impact. But, more importantly, they’ve taught me that no matter where you go, there will always be sibling Alephs and BBGs to love and support you.

So my takeaway is this: Never close yourself off to new experiences. Run for that position, go to that event, talk to that new member. You truly never know what new experience is waiting for you.