A beautiful day in Africa. Photo courtesy of ThinkImpact
In what capacity do you work with students?
I work with students who will be attending programs in any of our locations, which are currently Rwanda, South Africa, and Panama.
How did you become involved with ThinkImpact?
After I graduated college and moved to Denver I came across ThinkImpact and heard about how unique their programs were and how they use social entrepreneurship to create impact in rural communities of Africa and Latin America. I had just recently returned from West Africa myself and saw first hand how traditional development approaches were not working in the areas I had visited, and when I heard about how ThinkImpact was using market based solutions to empower local community members to create sustainable businesses I knew I wanted to be apart of what they were doing.
What is the most fulfilling part of your job?
Going abroad was such a life changing experience for me and the most fulfilling part of my job is to see how our programs and this experience leaves such a lasting impression on the students who participate, as well as the community members that our students work with.
How have your experiences abroad helped you in your current position?
I participated in two study abroad programs prior to joining ThinkImpact, one in France and the other in Cameroon. These two programs provided me with two completely different experiences and have definitely helped me in my role in preparing students and young professionals for different and unique experiences abroad. I understand what it is like going to a completely new and unfamiliar place but to also be excited for new experiences, and I love that my job is helping students to do just that, and to feel comfortable about the new adventures that they will be taking.
What makes the locations of ThinkImpact’s programs unique?
ThinkImpact’s locations differ in that we have developed years of partnerships and friendships with the communities and its members in rural villages of Rwanda, South Africa, and Panama. This therefore provides our students with a truly immersive experience and allows them to directly work with locals to develop innovative ideas collaboratively.
Why is there a limited number of participants, or scholars, accepted in each program?
We limit the number of participants to make sure that all students have the chance to work with local entrepreneurs in our communities, as well as to not overwhelm the communities so that both the students and community members have the opportunity to learn from one another.
What is a typical day like for a ThinkImpact participant?
On a typical day, students would have breakfast with their host families and then attend some group sessions in the morning to go through ThinkImpact’s curriculum or to do an activity that will provide the students with the training on how to be entrepreneurial. This could begin with an activity, including exploring the community and networking to meet and familiarize themselves with the community, or it could be completing a shared cultural experience with one of the community members they met.
After the morning activity, students meet with their design teams, which are made up of two students and roughly four to eight local entrepreneurs. Students work with their teams to think of ideas for an innovation using local resources. If they have already developed and prototyped their ideas then they would then be testing their idea on the market and getting feedback in order to create a viable local business.
After meeting with their design teams, students return to their host families for dinner and have time to get to know the family they are living with in rural Panama, South Africa, or Rwanda.
What steps do you take that help scholars deal with culture shock?
In order to deal with culture shock students will spend the first few days of the program in the city for ThinkImpact University. During TIU, students will discuss their assumptions and expectations and our in-country staff will prepare students for their community and homestay immersion experience, as well as provide a background in social innovation and local history and culture. Other activities will include an introduction to the program, language lessons, and cultural site visits.
Do all ThinkImpact programs in your location offer cultural activities? How do these activities benefit your scholars?
Yes, all programs will offer cultural excursions and activities that students can partake in. Optional excursions to explore surrounding areas will be offered on weekends of the program, while many cultural activities will take place throughout the program and are already included in the curriculum for students to take part in.
Safety is always a concern in study abroad programs. How does ThinkImpact ensure the safety of participants?
The health and safety of our students is our biggest priority. ThinkImpact has several health and safety measures in place to keep students and their families minds at ease. Our staff monitors political, social, and economic conditions in the regions where we work. Prior to departure, students receive health and safety information about the Institute. ThinkImpact registers all students with the local U.S. Embassy in the country they are working.
Each region where we work has a “community committee” comprised of vetted and hand selected community members who are unpaid volunteers and liaisons for our scholars and staff throughout the program. They are an integral part of our operation strategy and provide a heightened sense of safety throughout the course of the Institute. They make sure every homestay, translator, and design team partner is also vetted and has a good record within the community.
To ensure that participants stay healthy throughout the program, ThinkImpact has developed a comprehensive list of criteria that communities within which we live and work must meet. The nearest modern hospital is no more than 30 miles away from the communities in which ThinkImpact works. There will be a local clinic for minor injuries that is closer in proximity. All staff are trained in first aid prior to departure, and each community is equipped with a comprehensive first aid kit.
What tip can you give participants who are eager to join ThinkImpact in your location?
Be bold and Go! There will be many times throughout your life where you will think or wish about going on adventure but it’s rare that you will take that step and do it, and I am here to tell you to take that leap and try it out! Submit an application and before you know it you can be living in rural Panama drinking out of a fresh coconut, dancing with your new friends in Rwanda, or enjoying your first Braai (BBQ) in South Africa.
