For Illinois State University students Makenna Williams and Avery Pierre, studying and serving abroad in Africa this summer was more than an academic opportunity.

Not only did they deepen their understanding of the world while connecting with communities across continents, but they also returned home with a clearer sense of purpose.

Williams was among seven Illinois State students who traveled to Ngong Hills, Kenya, in May through the University’s Alternative Breaks program. It was her fourth service trip and her first time as a student leader.

The two-and-a-half-week trip focused on addressing issues including HIV and AIDS prevention, women’s empowerment, and support for vulnerable children. Working in conjunction with Living Positive Kenya founder Mary Wanderi, Williams and the Illinois State team visited homes built from scrap metal while witnessing poverty in the region firsthand.

“You can read about inequality in a textbook,” Williams said. “But when you’re invited into someone’s home and hear their story, it becomes real. It’s humbling.”

Nearly 4,000 miles away, Pierre, a Spanish education and cultural anthropology major, spent 11 days with 19 Illinois State students in South Africa. Organized by the Honors Program, participants were immersed in issues related to social and political justice, conservation, environmental stewardship, and sustainability.

Influenced by his multicultural upbringing and a deep passion for language, Pierre chose to visit South Africa to explore history and identity from a different perspective.

“I’m a very open person, and I’m very open to new experiences,” Pierre said.

From engaging with local communities to visiting historic landmarks such as Soweto and the Apartheid Museum, Pierre said the trip broadened his worldview and helped him understand how language and culture shape lived experience.

“There are 12 official languages in South Africa,” Pierre said. “That really pushed me to think about how much I still have to learn about cross-cultural communication.”

Reflecting on their experiences, both students embraced the value of “cultural humility.” For Williams, this meant learning how to lead with openness and listen without assumptions.

For Pierre, it meant letting go of expectations and allowing new experiences to shape his thinking. Whether dancing with local performers or reflecting on difficult histories, they both found connections through shared humanity.

“I got close with my classmates, and everyone was really welcoming,” Pierre said.

A phrase that’s stayed with Williams came from Wanderi during a group reflection: “Positivity is a choice,” she told Williams. It’s a message she carries with her through everyday challenges.

For Pierre, joy came in the moments of community, where he felt welcomed, supported, and seen. Those experiences reminded him why he chose to study language and culture.

Williams and Pierre encourage students who haven’t yet studied abroad to seize the opportunity.

Their advice was clear: Step outside your comfort zone. Talk to people. Stay curious. Whether through service, study, or both, their experiences abroad demonstrate the power of travel not only to teach but to transform.

As Williams put it, “It’s about showing up, listening, and letting yourself be changed.”