Reflections from Gold Lake

 
Having returned from their ALF Wilderness Experience, I had the opportunity to speak with Adam Grosser and Raul Gorospe of Class XXXV in regards to their trip. Adam Grosser serves as Group Head, Managing Director and Partner at Silver Lake Kraftwerk and Raul Gorospe is Chief Financial Officer at Palo Alto Medical Foundation. 
 
Describe your Wilderness Experience.
 
Raul: It was surprising how much I learned about myself and how much I’ve connect with my classmates. I’d have to say that I was one of the skeptics but came out having enjoyed the trip. I’m pretty much an introvert so interacting with people – I can do it – but it takes a lot of energy on my part. One of the focal points of ALF is finding different ways to interact with folks – folks from different sectors, different industries with different communication styles. When you spend an entire week together in the wilderness, you really learn about interacting with people, about how to develop relationships and personally and perhaps most difficult, how to open up to people in order to have that deeper bond. At the end of the day I’m still an introvert but I’ve become a little more extroverted and I am better for it.
 
Adam: As someone who is inordinately physically active, I expected it to be more physically taxing, but the demands were dramatically lower than I was led to believe. The time with my classmates was delightful and there was a subset of the class that I got close to and had a chance to really bond with during the trip. Being away from electronics, noise, and day to day distractions allowed for a particularly satisfying experience where I found myself having meaning conversations with my classmates and bonding.
 
 
What was your initial reaction to hearing about the wilderness trip?
 
Raul: Initially the wilderness experience was a turn off for me, but the more I learned about it and the more I heard from other senior fellows the more I became comfortable. We have five other senior fellows here at Palo Alto Medical Foundation and so having that opportunity to speak with them, who have gone on the trip before, the more it drew me in. Having that support and the support of my organization was important.
 
Adam: My initial reaction was dismay in all candor because I typically don’t take a lot of time away. If I take time away my family is my main prerogative so from that perspective the initial thought of carving out 5 days in the summer when I could be spending time with wife and daughter wasn’t high on my agenda and it seemed overwhelming from a logistical point of view.
 
Was there anything that surprised you about the trip?
 
Adam: Absolutely. I was struck by how delightful it is to live a more minimal existence and how easy it is after a few days to settle into a routine where you have very few possessions and where your gaze is centered around a more existential activity. I was more into my body and the conversations that I was sharing. I was also surprised by how pretty and tranquil Gold Lake was.
 
Raul: One of the things was the overnight solo retreat, I’ve never done that before and having the opportunity to do so was empowering for me. Another thing that surprised me was the time you are given to reflect on yourself. That is pretty valuable. I didn’t think I was one of those people that could just sit still and have those moments of silence but I was able to. It has been a great learning experience.
 
What types of connections did you make on the trip?
 
Adam: Connections were the hallmark of the experience or at least from what I believe one of the central themes. The class is curated to be composed of different people from different sectors and professions that you don’t come across every day. I felt a bit like a fish out of water in the early days since the class was mostly comprised of nonprofit and public sector folks but farther along into my ALF experience I felt more comfortable and it became easier to connect. The wilderness trip was great because I had the chance to spend quality time with my classmates and to bond on a deeper level, it was very rewarding.
 
 
What advice or encouragement would you give future classes who are about to go on their wilderness experience?
 
Adam: I’d say don’t be intimidated at all by the physical requirements, the odds are very, very good that you will be successful. The staff was incredibly accommodating and when people faced challenges they went out of their way to help them. Last but certainly not least, go into it with an open mind and an open heart, I’m sure you will find, like I did, a few pleasant surprises.
 
Raul: Come with an open mind. That was important for me because I had these preconceived notions about what this wilderness trip was going to be like, leading me to think, ‘I’m busy, I don’t have time for this, what am I going to be learning, do I want to use a latrine in the wilderness, etc.’ But at the same time when you go in with an open mind, ‘Hey, perhaps I don’t know what this will be like but perhaps I will learn something valuable, perhaps I will have a good time and discover something new’ you make yourself more open to a positive experience. I’ve already learned so much – things I didn’t even envision when first considering the program, and I’m really glad I was able to do it and participate in this great experience.
 
Interview by Peter Hsieh, Marketing and Communications Director