Cultural Expansion: Studying Abroad (8 points)

This summer, I had the pleasure of studying abroad in Kigali, Rwanda, Africa.

I traveled and studied with a mixed group of Spelman students and gained a deeper understanding

of Rwanda. During this study abroad experience, I learned about how Rwanda has rebuilt its

country after the 1994 Genocide. I was able to visit a reconciliation village, which is where both

victims and perpetrators of the genocide live together in harmony. There, I was able to hear

firsthand stories of the perpetrators and victims of the Rwandan Genocide. In addition,

I learned about how they manage the mental and physical health of the country and their

journey to rebuilding the country after the genocide. 

The key points of this activity were forgiveness and rebuilding after a tragedy.

This study abroad trip expanded my thinking on the concept of forgiveness.

After visiting the reconciliation village, I saw the sacrifices the victims made by

living with their perpetrators. In addition, I saw the true remorse of the perpetrators. The concept of

forgiveness on this large a scale was a foreign notion to me because of the state of the

United States. Looking at the United States, there is still animosity between White and

Black people, because of our past. There has been no remorse from many White people,

and they continue to perpetrate against the Black community, which in turn makes it extremely

hard for the Black community to forgive them. After visiting Rwanda, I see that this scale of

forgiveness is possible. I can take what I learned from this study abroad experience and

implement it in this country. 

The strength of studying abroad in Rwanda was immersing myself in another culture and country.

I have learned many lessons from this trip that I would not have if I had not gone.

With the lessons that I learned about rebuilding a country after tragedy and forgiveness,

I can help my school community and culture.

-Anaya Stenson