Tanzania Civic Education Service-Learning

My trip to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, was a transformative journey that left a permanent mark on my personal and academic growth. Engaging in service-learning initiatives within the vibrant community of Dar es Salaam provided me with a profound understanding of global citizenship and social responsibility. Working with the KN Youth at Don Bosco offered rich cultural immersion, fostering cross-cultural understanding. It was a holistic learning experience with lifelong impacts. Exploring East African slave trade sites in Bagamoyo evoked reflection on humanity's past atrocities, promoting empathy and understanding. By visiting the US Embassy in Tanzania, I had the opportunity to learn about the different programs and efforts that are being made to improve Tanzania as a whole. Immersing myself in the rich culture and daily life of Tanzania opened my eyes to perspectives and experiences vastly different from my own. From the bustling markets to the serene beaches, every moment in Dar es Salaam was a lesson in humility, resilience, and the beauty of human connection. This experience also challenged me to confront my own biases and assumptions, sparking significant self-reflection and personal growth. I learned to approach unfamiliar situations with an open mind and a willingness to learn, realizing the immense value of diverse viewpoints in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. As I reflect on my time in Dar es Salaam, I am filled with gratitude for the friendships made, the lessons learned, and the memories created. This experience has not only broadened my horizons but has also inspired me to continue seeking opportunities for meaningful engagement and service in both local and global communities. Dar es Salaam will always hold a special place in my heart as a reminder of the transformative power of empathy, connection, and shared humanity.

Briana Adkinson, College of Education

As an interdisciplinary mathematician, I am not only interested in the teaching and learning of math, but also in the conditions or environments in which students learn. I was happy to join AU’s Office of Outreach Global and the African American & Africana Studies Program’s civic education and service-learning trip to Tanzania. There were many highlights from the trip, including learning the history, visiting important cultural places, and enjoying games with Tanzanian youth and students. However, two places have left very strong impressions on me.

The first memorable place was one that tugged on my heart strings. Our visit to the orphanage in Bagamoyo showed me connections between some Tanzanian and African American youth. However, despite their reality, the youth were happy and had great outlooks on life. We danced, we sang, we laughed and in turn were reminded of the goodness of the world. Perhaps the biggest highlight for me was our visit to the T-Marc learning center in Zanzibar. There, I was able to see how educators taught mathematics and how the students engaged. I was excited when granted the opportunity to teach in one of the classes. The students were attentive, smart, eager to learn and impressive. It really showed the universality of mathematics.

I was grateful for the opportunity to represent Southern Union State Community College on this amazing trip and look forward to future collaborations.

Ezell Allen, PhD
Professor of Mathematics, Southern Union State Community College

My experience traveling to Tanzania was a once-in-a-lifetime fulfilling trip. I felt strength through the community of people I traveled with, learned a deeper truth about the world, and made memories that I feel will last my lifetime. I went on the trip knowing only one other person from a previous study abroad opportunity. I had a deep, intuitive feeling that this trip would be a very moving and emotionally powerful time for me. On the first day we spent at the University of Dar Es Salaam, we watched a presentation from one of the history professors about the East African Slave Trade. This day added a piece to my puzzle of understanding the past of our planet and the people on it. After two days of deepening my understanding of international Truth through the presentation and reflective discussions of the book Paradise. These two days also provided a lot of space for great discussions from many perspectives from those on the trip. The next day, we traveled to Bagamoyo by bus, stopping at an orphanage. This stop allowed me to experience the environment in which someone growing up without a caretaker in Tanzania looks like. We met a beautiful man who had grown up at the orphanage and now is a teacher there. This day was a largely culturally immersive day. We had lunch on the beach and saw Masai people dancing by the water. We ate fish on the beach, heard a church of people singing, saw a baobab tree, and learned its historical significance. The next few days, we worked with youth from the community, learning how they had learned to write resumes and how we could add to their previous knowledge. We also learned cultural dances and played basketball. Each day felt like an experience I would only have if I had gone with the Auburn University Africana Studies Program. Our advisors planned for us to eat together like a family each day and share reflections, feelings, and thoughts about how we experienced the day. I felt grateful for how much room for connection there was that created a safe foundational feeling for the trip. We also spent a day in Zanzibar that went unexpectedly and was very unique. Overall the trip was planned very well.

Louise Belliot, College of Agriculture

Being granted to opportunity to visit East Africa provided me with an invaluable experience. Most impactful were the moments spent exploring the physical spaces in Tanzania after reading about those spaces in the novel Paradise written by a Tanzanian author. When we first arrived, we attended lectures that illuminated many historical facts and provided context for the novel, which made the museums and historical cities more relevant and ultimately, more impactful.

As a PhD student, I also appreciated the professional development I gained through communicating and working with the students and faculty at the University of Dar Es Salaam. Most importantly, I appreciate the relationships cultivated through these professional and cultural exchanges.

The service-learning trip to Tanzania has forever changed how I see myself, the U.S., the world, and how I choose to navigate spaces differently moving forward. Had Global Outreach not provided the funding, I might have never had such a rich, exhilarating experience.

Sharanna Brown, College of Liberal Arts

Going to Tanzania was an incredible experience. This experience not only allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture but also to experience human connections that transcend language barriers. I am so grateful to Auburn University Outreach Global and Africana Studies for allowing me the opportunity to attend the trip and represent Auburn. The beauty of Tanzania was breathtaking, and I found myself in awe of the geography and preservation of historical sites. Our historical site visits as well as our book discussions inspired me to think deeply about the culture of Tanzania. I noticed the pride individuals took in themselves and their work. Being a visitor, I felt very welcome and comfortable among our guides and the team from the University of Dar Es Salaam. Our guides provided so much valuable insight into what daily life is like and how we could further connect our historical learnings to what we were seeing around us. My favorite part of the trip overall was working with the youth group. It was so wholesome to see each person talk about their ambitions and their passions. Being within the same age range of the group made connecting easy. One memory I have is discussing music with one of the girls in my group. We both agreed that we enjoyed music but were both very aware that we couldn’t sing. This humorous interaction helped to break the ice and led to more conversations about our hobbies and interests. Overall, visiting Tanzania was a life-changing experience, however engaging in service-learning made the trip even more rewarding and beneficial. I feel as though my eyes have been opened to new ways of thinking and approaching global topics.

Camaya Doxie, College of Agriculture

Participating in the service-learning trip to Tanzania was an extraordinary experience that I feel privileged to have been a part of. No matter where we went, the warmth and hospitality of the Tanzanian communities enveloped us. Each encounter with Tanzanian locals was a lesson in humility and openness. Despite facing various hardships, the people I met radiated kindness and hospitality, reminding me of the power of human connection beyond language or cultural barriers. The genuine kindness and eagerness to learn that radiated from the Tanzanian’s left a lasting impression on me. It taught me to not only embrace other cultures and ways of life but also how many similarities you can share with a person no matter where they come from. It also posed a challenge to the stereotypes commonly associated with Tanzania and other African countries, which often depict them as being in severe poverty. However, the reality I witnessed contradicted these notions, revealing a richness in life and a profound love shared among the people. One of my favorite memories was working with KN Youth to help people learn to write resumes and culturally immerge with them by playing some of the games that were traditional to them. Many of them didn’t have resumes but they had jobs in fields such as tailoring, electrician, makeup artist, and so many more. Looking back on this journey, I am filled with gratefulness for the opportunity to immerse myself in a culture so vibrant and welcoming. The memories and lessons from Tanzania will continue to inspire me to seek out new experiences, forge meaningful connections, and contribute positively to the world around me.

Fredrika Dunson, College of Engineering

Nothing could replace the beauty of the Tanzania service learning experience. My favorite part of the experience was the cultural immersion aspect of working with the KN youth at Don Bosco Dar es Salaam. Having the students teach us a game they played and us being able to teach them a game that we all played in America was amazing. I really feel like the games placed us all on the same level of understanding because we were able to learn and interact with common cultural aspects of fun. I would really love if we had more than the two days with those kinds of opportunities. The resumé writing workshops were also a favorite of mine because we were able to help the students learn about something practical to help them moving forward in life despite their educational backgrounds.

I also enjoyed the various educational events we attended like the East African slave trade lectures and meeting the ambassador to Tanzania. We don’t always learn about the East African slave trade in America, so that was important to me. Additionally, I enjoyed being able to lead and participate in a discussion of Abdulrazak Gurnah’s Paradise. I enjoy teaching literature, but getting to do it with people who were not doing it for a grade was an exceptional experience. It was also amazing reading about a different country and being able to simultaneously visit that country.

Finally, experiencing Dar Es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and Zanzibar and the people is something I will take with me forever. Whether I was on the tours or in the markets attempting to bargain with the sellers, I enjoyed the people and their welcoming spirits. I cannot wait to go back to visit Tanzania again!

Kayla Frye, College of Liberal Arts

The beautiful power of literature lies in its ability to transport the reader to a different place, to take them into a culture, a language, a time, and an experience otherwise foreign. It is one thing to read and discuss a novel about East Africa in the AU classroom; it is something wonderfully different to experience that novel while in Tanzania itself.

The collaboration between African American & Africana Studies and AU Outreach Global provided students a unique and transformative experience to understand the value of experiential, cultural, and service learning. No language can truly capture the impact of witnessing students engage in high-level critical discourse about the novel Paradise by Nobel Prize laureate and Tanzanian-born writer Abdulrazak Gurnah; watching them engage professors at the University of Dar es Salaam on the intricacies of the East African slave trade; helping them process the emotional weight of a lynching site; listening to them learn and practice the speaking of Swahili so that they can offer back the warmth of greeting and communication received from their Tanzanian encounters; guiding them as they teach the youth lessons they’ve learned at AU; and simply journeying with them as they experience the joys and sometimes the sorrows of a new place.

As director of African American & Africana Studies, I was moved by our students. Their commitment to the foundational tenets of Black Studies, their embodiment and expression of academic excellence, and their cultural engagement and sensitivities made them excellent ambassadors of Auburn University.

Ernest L. Gibson III, PhD
Director, African American and Africana Studies Program, Auburn University

This summer I got the opportunity to go to Tanzania, Africa for a service-learning trip through outreach global. My experience on this trip was overwhelming but in an amazing way. Being that it was my first time out of the country, it was a refreshing feeling filled with different sceneries and cultures. My favorite part of the trip was day 2 of the KN youth training because I was able to connect with Tanzania’s my age and actually get to know them as well as understand their situation. The individuals I spoke with treated me like family and I taught them about the resumes and they taught me about their way of living. I also enjoyed going to Zanzibar and seeing a more rural part of Tanzania and how they uplift the youth and the ways they motivate future generations through education. Learning about the ways the youth are giving chances to approach their own aspirations and given a place to be taught skills and basic education was inspiring and something I wish we saw more in the states. I was very outgoing on the trip and spoke with practically anyone I can in contact with. Everyone was so inviting and welcoming and I never got the feeling that I was not being accepted or being judged. Tanzania was filled with love everywhere we went and it was a feeling I couldn’t escape during my time there. Experiencing the market and being able to the Tanzanians hustle and hard work, showed me another level of independence. Aside from my experience with the locals in the area, I was able to create relationships with the professors and PHD students that will be beneficial as I finish my undergraduate degree here at Auburn. This service-learning trip changed my perspective on being more grateful for the things I have and content with where I am in my life and what I aspire to be in the future. Thank you outreach global for this amazing opportunity.

Ashton Glenn, College of Science and Mathematics

Reflecting on my time in Tanzania will always bring joy in my heart and a smile to my face. Personally, where I come from, going anywhere other than the local park for the summer was just a dream but ever since I’ve gotten to Auburn things have changed for the better. When I saw an opportunity to do a service-learning trip in Africa I jumped on the chance and I’m so glad I did. Much Appreciation to Dr. Quansah, Dr. Gibson, Dr. Thomas, and Olivia for spearheading the trip. They took care of everything and made sure everything ran smoothly, which shows their dedication to Auburn and its students. The ability to go to local schools, orphanages, and islands was truly eye opening. While in America we have access to basically everything but going to Tanzania in my opinion they have to overcome more challenges without as many advantages but yet they still have joy which changed my perspective on life. One thing I liked was that we weren't just tourists but actively made a positive impact on the community. Two of my favorite activities were donating toys to a local orphanage and playing basketball with local students. Another part of the trip I enjoyed was how it brought total strangers from all walks of life together. Honestly early on the only thing we had in common is that we attended Auburn University. People from all ages, races , and genders were able to come together for one common goal and that was beautiful in itself. This trip is something that will stay with me for life and I hope this type of study abroad continues forever.

Noah Gurley, College of Engineering

I am forever grateful to AU Outreach Global for this opportunity. From May 9th to May 18th, I participated in the Tanzania civic, education, and service-learning program. It was fascinating to be submerged in Tanzania's culture. It was my first time spending an extended period out of the country, and I could not have imagined doing that without the admin from Outreach Global. They took care of everything, and the trip ran very smoothly. We followed an itinerary and ate meals together, which fostered a fun and sincere community among all of us.

Tanzania was absolutely beautiful, and the people were so sweet. It was fascinating to go on tours of the National Museum, visit the Embassy and meet the US ambassador, take a ferry ride to Zanzibar, tour Bagamoyo, and shop at the markets. The trip also consisted of learning and service, and spending time at the University of Dar es Salaam was fascinating. I also loved getting to help the KN Youth. It was so rewarding helping them create resumes to further their education. The experience was truly remarkable. To conclude, immersing myself in Tanzania's culture and contributing to the local community was incredibly rewarding and an experience I will never forget.

Johnna Hawkins, College of Liberal Arts

I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to travel with the AU Office of Outreach Global to assist with the premier Tanzania Service-Learning Program. As someone who is passionate about traveling and cross-cultural engagement, I found it particularly rewarding to witness students, many of whom having never left the U.S., fall in love with the world around them. Their excitement, courage, and open minds were contagious, making the experience all the more transformative for everyone involved. It reminded me of the immeasurable impact that exposure to different cultures can have on personal growth and global understanding.

One of my favorite aspects of the program was watching the Auburn University students connect with the Tanzanian youth during the service-learning sessions. AU students trained over 120 KN Youth in the intricacies and formalities of resume writing, exchanged cultural games and songs with one another, and played competitive games such as basketball and kickball. Additionally, I was honored to have visited the US Embassy of Tanzania alongside the program cohort. It was fascinating to learn more about the country’s development efforts, which enriched our service-learning work with KN Youth.

This experience reinforced the importance of service-learning as a tool for creating lasting impact, both for the communities we serve and the participants themselves. I look forward to continuing my work with Outreach Global and participating in future programs that contribute to cross-cultural engagement.

Olivia Houlden,
Administrator, AU Office of Outreach Global

Asante Sana. The theme of my experience and thoughts towards the faculty, my peers, and most importantly Tanzania. The Civic-Service Learning Tour served nothing short of a lovely cultural immersion into the motherland while making memorable interactions and bonds with those along with me. From the first orientation session to our final departure of Giraffe Hotel, the excitement ensued throughout me from Dr. Quansah personable, yet informative presentation and her interactive guidance along the trip. She did a great job of exemplifying the University expectations and her own, which weathered a great morale and atmosphere for the group. This translated over to our attitude amongst each other maximizing every day to its fullest. We visited notable towns such as Bagamoyo, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, and more. Through these journeys, we learned about the enriched history of the country and its progress through the various stages of life. We also tasted a variety of cuisines, learned and taught new dances, played basketball, and rode a ferry ride from the mainland to the island (Zanzibar). These are some highlighted experiences new to me that I wouldn’t have normally gained. In all, I am most grateful for the variety of activities that we indulged in on a day-to-day basis. I really enjoyed visiting the University of Dar es Salaam and engaging with some of the students as well as the novel discussion of Paradise. I enjoyed MOST the engagement with KN Youth with teaching them resume skills and learning from them about a Curriculum Vitae (CV). We made great progress with each other and truly left each day with a better understanding of both. I can truly say that I entered Tanzania and left a changed man because of these interactions. The future remains bright for the nation, and I can’t wait to add to it through testimonial experiences. Asanta Sana.

Lane Jemison, College of Engineering

The Auburn Abroad Service Learning Program in Tanzania introduced me to multiple perspectives surrounding community, education, and service. As a rising junior pursuing aerospace engineering, the program gave me the opportunity to step outside of my academic comfort zone, allowing me to engage in stimulating conversations with my fellow colleagues, advisor, and Tanzanian locals.

During my time in Tanzania, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to attend lectures at the University of Dar es Salaam on the East African slave trade. During this time, we got to walk alongside our mentor as we explored the impact of slavery on Africa's economy, culture, and community. Ranging from the use of slaves to address the demand in goods like sugar and ivory, which became a point of connection between American and African history for me.

Throughout the trip, the lessons became more engaging and interactive as we had the opportunity to travel to Bagamoyo, exploring historical sites touched on in our lectures, allowing us to step into the shoes of the enslaved. The tour of Bagamoyo was eye-opening to my colleagues and me as we began to bear witness to the trials slaves endured as they passed through Bagamoyo, stimulating conversations regarding our culture as African Americans and the perspective of the Eastern world regarding the formerly enslaved.

In addition, I also got to provide a service to Tanzanian youth at Don Bosco alongside my colleagues, where we helped young men and women of my age group create and improve their resumes to better help them pursue jobs or generate interest in pursuing work or creating a business for themselves. Working with the KN youth program provided an exchange both educationally with the resume workshops, helping me better differentiate hard and soft skills, and culturally, learning songs, dances, and games from one another's culture.

Overall, my experience in Tanzania was wonderful. I got to learn the mechanisms of learning another culture, integrated myself to mesh with their etiquette. I learned more than expected, made more friend than expected, and got pushed outside the boundaries of my comfort zone. I deeply value the opportunity to experience and learn so deeply about another culture. As I continue to practice and speak Swahili with my peers and cook African dishes, it was a delightful experience that will forever shape the way I view the world and my culture.

Ryan Jordan, College of Engineering

My trip to Tanzania was incredibly insightful. Every part of the trip felt meaningful and as though it fit into the intricately planned schedule. I am so thankful for Auburn Outreach for this opportunity. My favorite part of the trip was meeting and learning from the KN Youth group. These students were supposed to be learning from me, but instead I found myself learning from them. They taught me to be more grateful, to foster deeper bonds in my community, and to not be afraid to have fun even when learning. On a broader perspective, the ability to travel to a new country in an entirely new continent was extremely educational. The lectures and tour guides expanded my understanding of the East African Slave Trade and interacting with locals gave me understandings of Tanzanian culture I would have never understood from a slideshow. The relationships I formed with my classmates on the trip was another highlight of the trip for me. While the focus of the trip was to become immersed in Tanzania I found myself forming deep bonds with my fellow cohort members that I will be continuing to foster now that I am home. When I first signed up for this trip I knew it would be fun and educational, but I never expected it to be as life shifting as it has proven to be. I once again would like to thank everyone who played a role in allowing me this amazing opportunity.

John Overton, College of Liberal Arts

My journey to Tanzania with my fellow Auburn students was an enriching experience for all who were involved and transcended mere tourism. Through exploration of the vibrant facets of Tanzanian culture, history, and aspirations, we fostered an environment of learning and engagement. Visiting the National Museum as well as the Freddie Mercury Museum offered a profound glimpse into Tanzania's past, present, and exciting future. As I immersed myself in the exhibits, I felt a connection to the rich heritage and diverse stories that made up the history of the beautiful country, Tanzania. The University of Dar es Salaam provided an opportunity for intellectual exchange, where we engaged with Tanzanian students and scholars, broadening our perspectives on global issues. Our discussions, fueled by insights from Abdulrazak Gurnah's novel "Paradise," delved into the complexities of identity, colonialism, and the enduring legacies of the East African slave trade.

Our excursions to Bagamoyo and Zanzibar unveiled the beauty of Tanzania's coastal landscapes and the echoes of its historical significance. As a social science education major, I was elated to explore these unique locations and learn their place in Tanzania’s history. One of the most fulfilling aspects of our trip was our engagement with Tanzanian youth, offering assistance in crafting resumes to empower them in their journey towards professional success. Along this journey, Tanzania became more than just a destination; it became an influential country full of memories, lessons, and connections that will forever shape my understanding of the world and those around me.

Lilly Richardson, College of Education

As an African American man from Alabama, I believe the trip to Tanzania holds profound significance. Tanzania is part of the African continent, my ancestral homeland. Visiting Tanzania provided a deeper understanding of African heritage, traditions, and culture, helping to reconnect with my ancestral roots. Experiencing the Swahili culture, language, and customs offered a rich insight into East African history and traditions. The East African slave trade sites, such as Bagamoyo and Zanzibar locations, provided a poignant understanding of the historical injustices faced by African ancestors and offered a space for reflection and education. Learning about the efforts to preserve and celebrate African history and culture in Tanzania has inspired me to make similar efforts within my community of Tuskegee, Alabama. Visiting Tanzania fostered a sense of solidarity with people of African descent globally. It strengthened my sense of belonging to a larger, interconnected global community. Interacting with Tanzanians and understanding their perspectives highlighted the unique and shared experiences of African-descended people worldwide. The trip to Tanzania was a profoundly spiritual journey, offering time for personal reflection and growth. It provided me the opportunity to connect with nature and my inner self. Understanding the resilience and richness of African cultures instilled a greater sense of pride and empowerment. Experiencing life in Tanzania broadened my African perspective, helping me to understand different ways of life, challenges, and triumphs. This leads to greater empathy and a more nuanced worldview. My trip to Tanzania offered me (an African American from Alabama) a rich tapestry of experiences, from cultural and historical education to personal and spiritual growth, while fostering a deeper connection to my heritage and the broader African diaspora.

Daniel Sullen, College of Education

My trip to Tanzania opened my eyes to a different perspective of living; one I never thought I’d be able to see so soon. Many of us in America have a one side story of Africa as a continent. Being in Tanzania and witnessing my perspective change in front of my eyes was a blessing and has encouraged me to explore and learn about more cultures. Interacting with Tanzanians my age and hearing the different goals and aspirations they had was inspiring and taught me a different meaning of being content. Many just wanted to help their families and their communities grow, they understood that the youth is the future and made it their priority to assure Tanzania continued to prosper. They dreamed to start companies and hire the youth through these companies or become youth leaders. It’s a big difference from what you hear 20-year-old say their goals are in the states. Another aspect that taught me about community was how much time locals spent outside of their homes and in the streets with one another. In my life I’ve noticed, the more financially well off one gets, the more likely they are to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. However, when I saw people outside of their homes I didn’t think of poverty, I thought of community, family, and genuine love. Learning about the history and culture was also very informative and allowed me to see how much growth the country has obtained since colonization and the steps they had to overcome to be where they are today. I am furthering my education in social work and my trip to Tanzania showed me a real definition of equity and how millions can start from being oppressed and grow together to reach independence and prosperity. Thank you outreach global for the amazing experience; one I will never forget.

Dori Wilkerson, College of Liberal Arts

I first heard about Tanzania from a former student who had just completed a study abroad and wanted to tell me about it over dinner while I was studying for my masters. That student died earlier this year. He grew into a fellow artist and collaborator within community engagement and social justice experiences though his health waned as I was entering into my current doctoral program. Days later, I was invited by the director of Africana Studies, Dr. Ernest Gibson, to attend this civic engagement and service-learning experience. This trip has been more than a fateful event. It has been an opportunity to commune with the past, present, and future of Africana life. I was provided an opportunity to not only connect with the life of my recent ancestor but also those who experienced the East African Slave Trade and colonialism across Tanzania and Zanzibar. In addition, I gained new friends and a sense of community with fellow travelers at Auburn University, the University of Dar es Salaam, the Don Bosco Oysterbay community, the U.S. Embassy, and USAID.

As a higher education administration and public history doctoral student, I also observed how international education programs forge important relationships and transformative thinking through heritage tourism. We gained an elementary knowledge of Kiswahili, worked with translators, taught career development skills, and created, for some, partnerships will extend across borders. The cities themselves served as heritage sites that are mapped along a historic trade route connecting the cities along the residue of the trade along the interior. We visited the “Door of No Return” at Bagamoyo, saw the slave port at the site of the Indian Ocean, and explored how the ecologies of slavery have had a lasting impact on East African geography. Our trip would not have been possible without the historians at the University of Dar es Salaam who shared knowledge and kindness throughout the trip.

It is my hope that Auburn invests in these relationships for cross-cultural exchange, global educational initiatives across Africana Studies, Outreach-Global, and other transdisciplinary partnerships with Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and Zanzibar. Our students spanned several fields from environmental studies, engineering, and history/social studies education and theirs across multiple higher education and alternative education contexts. With more support, there can be intentional language learning opportunities, international collaborations on education, symposium, and conferences, and expanded opportunities for research and practice. I cannot wait to visit again and continue to forge the relationships we made on this journey.

Theron Wilkerson, College of Education

My recent service-learning trip to Tanzania was a transformative experience that combined cultural immersion with meaningful community service. Over the course of ten days, I had the opportunity to engage with local communities and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths within these communities. One of the most impactful aspects of the trip was working with the KN Youth. Helping them write resumes was very rewarding to me knowing that these resumes will help them on their future endeavors. The eagerness and enthusiasm of some of the students were inspiring. Cultural exchanges were another highlight of the trip, interacting with local youth and participating in traditional activities broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for Tanzanian culture. These interactions fostered a sense of global citizenship and made me realize the importance of cross-cultural understanding and respect. This service-learning trip was not only about providing aid but also about learning and growing from the experience. It emphasized the nature of service, where giving and receiving go hand in hand. I returned home with a renewed sense of purpose, a greater appreciation for the resilience of communities, and a commitment to continue contributing to global development efforts. The Tanzania service-learning trip was a great experience that enriched my understanding of community service, cultural diversity, and global interconnectedness. It has left an indelible mark on my personal and academic journey, motivating me to remain engaged in meaningful service initiatives.

Kristin Wilson, College of Education