My son is learning to be self-sufficient (although he’s already pretty independent) and to appreciate cultures that are different from his own. He is picking up ideas for how to make this world a better place, and my hope is that he will pull all of these things together as he begins to think more in-depth about how he can better serve our world, and through which channels. For sure, the life skills, problem solving, resourcefulness and appreciation for others that he is developing while he’s away will put him at an advantage.