BOONE, N.C. — A study abroad experience related to sustainability has developed into an ongoing community relationship between Appalachian State University and the African nation of Malawi.
That's the power of transformative experiences.
Why Malawi?
Through the Walker College of Business, students have made two trips to Malawi near the capital of Lilongwe. They learn how non-governmental organizations, government and communities are addressing economic, social and environmental challenges. They also participate in service projects and stay in the homes of local families.
"I think one of the special things about this university is the fact that we were able to go abroad, but also how much followed us as we came back to campus," said Jesse Pipes, an MBA candidate at Appalachian. He helped initiate Appalachian's academic connection to Malawi through a non-profit organization he and friends started a decade ago, called World Camp.
"Africa has so much to teach us and we have so many resources that we can share... The community solutions the students saw practiced in Malawi can be applied here in the U.S. or any community for that matter."
Ellen Mason gets to know local children from the Senga Bay fishing village.
What difference do students make?
The first group of Appalachian students in 2012 worked with villagers to research the feasibility of establishing a maize mill, including start-up costs, monthly operating costs and projected revenue. They determined start-up costs could be recovered in the first year of operation.
After returning home, the students remained engaged with the African nation by forming the Sustainable Services Initiative Club on campus to explore solutions to community challenges—including collecting funds for the proposed maize mill and for children's school fees.
On the second study abroad, students met William Kamkwamba, co-author of the international best-selling book "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind." The book relates his story of how he achieved his dream of bringing electricity, light and the promise of a better life to his family and his Malawi village of Wimbe.
A young girl in the Mchezi Village smiles on her way home from school as she carries her younger sibling on her back.
What impact does Malawi have in Boone?
As a result of the study abroad programs, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind" author visited campus as the keynote speaker at Appalachian's 5th Annual Global Opportunities Conference in April 2013, which had a record 550 attendees. These included visiting classes from Watauga and Avery high schools and Two Rivers Charter School, as well as the campus and larger communities.
Having Kamkwamba on campus to share his message of hope, encouragement, dreams and creativity "served as a segue to start conversation," explained marketing major Deja Borders.
"I share the bit of awareness that I have every chance that I get," said Borders, who participated in the 2013 study abroad program.
"Now that I have experienced Malawi, a country I knew nothing about prior to researching the trip, I have been able to discuss with people everything that I learned. Those opportunities have led to conversations about the intellect, congeniality, national language, education, currency and so many other things that the average American does not know about Malawi."
A Malawian landscape viewed from the bus as Appalachian students traveled from the capital of Lilongwe to Lake Malawi.
A Malawian landscape viewed from the bus as Appalachian students traveled from the capital of Lilongwe to Lake Malawi.
A Malawian landscape viewed from the bus as Appalachian students traveled from the capital of Lilongwe to Lake Malawi.
A Malawian landscape viewed from the bus as Appalachian students traveled from the capital of Lilongwe to Lake Malawi.
A Malawian landscape viewed from the bus as Appalachian students traveled from the capital of Lilongwe to Lake Malawi.
A woman washes clothes on the shoreline of Lake Malawi.
Ellen Mason, Zion Greenfield and Nyssa Turnbow explore the shoreline of Lake Malawi.
Amanda Kato plays with a young girl from the Senga Bay fishing village.
Ellen Mason gets to know local children from the Senga Bay fishing village.
Samantha Ludick, owner of Cool Runnings Guest House in Senga Bay, speaks to Appalachian students about social entrepreneurship. Ludick gives 45 percent of her business's profits to the local community through projects she runs. The projects are related to soccer, healthcare, education and agriculture.
Zack Wilson admires a local craftsman's woodworking.
Students learn Chichewa, the language spoken by most people in Malawi.
The students pose in front of the Parliament Building in Lilongwe.
Students visit the home of Kristof Nordin located on the outskirts of Lilongwe. Nordin and his wife, Stacia, have dedicated their lives to permaculture and nutrition in Malawi with the hopes of teaching the community to have a more sustainable and diverse diet.
Students visit the home of Kristof Nordin located on the outskirts of Lilongwe. Nordin and his wife, Stacia, have dedicated their lives to permaculture and nutrition in Malawi with the hopes of teaching the community to have a more sustainable and diverse diet.
Boys with goats in Wimbe Village.
William Kamkwamba, author of "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," talks with students in his home of Wimbe Village about sustainable technologies.
Students tour Wimbe Village to see how William Kamkwamba, author of "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," transformed his family's life by bringing wind and solar energy into their compound. He continues to experiment with bringing newer technologies to Africa.
Students tour Wimbe Village to see how William Kamkwamba, author of "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," transformed his family's life by bringing wind and solar energy into their compound. He continues to experiment with bringing newer technologies to Africa.
Blessing Chikakula (far left) interprets for Appalachian students as they visit with William Kamkwamba's grandmother in Wimbe Village.
Malawians attend their corn crops.
Kathryn Waitt looks at hippos in the South Luangwa River in Zambia.
Kathryn Waitt looks at hippos in the South Luangwa River in Zambia.
Lions hunt during the evening in the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.
Anja Wicker writes in her daily journal while on safari in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.
Scenes from safari.
Scenes from safari.
A young girl in the Mchezi Village smiles on her way home from school as she carries her younger sibling on her back.
Students visit a community-based organization's tailoring shop where women are taught how to sew in hopes they will learn the trade.
Zach Wilson, Meredith Church and Jesse Pipes pass around nsima, a corn product which is a food staple in Malawi.
Ellen Mason cooks nsima with the help of her host during the home stay part of the trip.
Deja Borders pumps water from a borehole while villagers look on.
Ellen Mason, Alex White and Anja Wicker carry water from the well back to their hosts' home.
Anja Wicker and Alex White share a breakfast of taro root, nsima and tea at their home stay visit.
The students get Malawian dance lessons from Masankho Kamsisi-Banda at World Camp.
The students get Malawian dance lessons from Masankho Kamsisi-Banda at World Camp.
A study abroad experience related to sustainability has developed into an ongoing community relationship between Appalachian State University and the African nation of Malawi.
Will Appalachian continue this relationship?
Yes, a third study abroad program is planned for May 2014. It will be part of a sustainable development and business course. To learn more, contact Meredith Church at churchmm@appstate.edu or 828-262-7727.
"The students gain unique life skills," said Pipes, "and an understanding of how best to use them: critical thinking, listening to others, asking better questions, generating ideas, active collaboration. They learn that by pooling what you know and who you know, you can better support each other."
For decades, Appalachian State University has recognized the importance an international perspective has on undergraduate education. Appalachian's graduates are creative thinkers and problem-solvers -- thought leaders who are easily able to adapt to a changing world.
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About the Office of International Programs
Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive and integrated commitment to global engagement. The Office of International Programs assists App State in fulfilling its global engagement mission by working to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences — in both domestic and international contexts — in the university’s students, faculty and staff, as well as in the surrounding communities. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
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