Studying abroad with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s College of Business and Honors College was an incredible opportunity that I will never forget. With this experience I was able to travel to Kenya, earn credit hours, and gain some amazing relationships with fellow students back at UTC along the way. I chose to study abroad in Kenya, because of the unique opportunity I was offered. Right when I saw information about this study abroad option, I knew instantly that I had to be a part of this journey.
When I was a young girl, I had dreamt of traveling the world and adventuring to places and countries that I never thought I would have the option to go to. Going to Kenya, Africa for almost a month was a dream come true. When I received my acceptance email for the Innovation Lab in Kenya class back in December 2017, I was immediately filled with excitement and anticipation. When the month of May came and it was time for me to hop on the plane, all I could think about is how much love and knowledge I was going to gain.This trip opened my eyes in ways I never thought it would. I learned so much about myself from the beginning of the application process to the end of the trip- coming back home from Kenya to Tennessee.
Looking back at this study abroad experience, I expanded my knowledge with working in a business environment within a different culture and language. As a business Marketing major, it is very important for me to gain as much cultural understanding and appreciation as possible. Traveling around the world allowed me to open up to the world around me and let me appreciate and learn more about people, traditions, business customs, politics, and much more.
I am beyond thankful for the experience that the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga allowed me to have. I gained 4 credit hours, kissed 3 giraffes, hugged 2 elephants, flew 16,220 miles, drank at least 50 cups of tea, went on 4 safari game drives, learned 18 Swahili words, rode in 1 Tuk-Tuk, and made 14 new life-long friends.
Kristi Kanan is majoring in Biology (pre-professional). She participated in a faculty-led trip to Kenya through the College of Business and Honors College in May, 2018.
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