Name
Kaylianne Jordan

Major/Minor/Field of Study/Occupation
Viticulture and Enology

Class and Graduation Year
Senior '26

Virtual or In-Person
In-Person

Program Title
Connect with Rwanda: One Health for a More Sustainable World

What motivated or led you to participate in your global learning program?
As a first-generation, African diaspora student, I felt a deep pull to participate in this program. I wanted to experience Africa not just through books or classrooms, but by being on the ground, meeting people and learning from them directly. The program’s focus on “One Health” connected perfectly with my passion for agriculture, sustainability and food systems. It felt like a chance to connect my personal roots with my academic and career goals.

What was your experience like in this program? What did you learn from your experience: interacting with other people and cultures; academics; addressing global challenges; and/or developing global skills and leadership?
Being in Rwanda as someone from the diaspora was grounding and eye-opening. I learned so much from the communities we met about resilience, innovation and how deeply linked human, animal and environmental health really are. It showed me that real solutions come from collaboration across cultures and perspectives.

What was the most challenging part of your program and the most rewarding?
The hardest part was visiting genocide memorials. It was emotional and heavy to take in, but it gave me a deeper understanding of justice, healing and memory. The most rewarding part was connecting with young Rwandan students and leaders. Seeing their vision and drive made me feel connected to a global community of young people working for change.

What’s one of your most memorable experiences from your program?
Visiting the Gashora Girls Academy really stood out. Watching young women step into leadership and science roles gave me hope and reminded me why representation and access matter so much.

What was a typical day like on your program?
A typical day on the program was full but engaging. Mornings usually began with site visits that connected directly to the “One Health” framework, like visiting farms, such as Kopakaki Coffee farm, conservation projects, like the Rwandan Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), and local organizations addressing human and animal health, like the Gorilla Doctors and Zipline Rwanda, which operates a drone delivery service that provides fast, on-demand medical supplies, including blood, vaccines and medications. Afternoons often included guided discussions, reflection sessions and cultural activities, giving us a chance to process what we had learned and hear different perspectives. Meals were a time to try Rwandan cuisine and connect informally with peers and local students. Evenings were reserved for journaling, group debriefs, or simply relaxing and sharing stories from the day. The balance of structured learning and cultural immersion made each day meaningful and memorable.

What advice do you have for someone considering your program or a global experience, in general? What would you like to share with students who might have similar identities or experiences as you?
If you’re first-generation, diaspora or just someone figuring out your place in the world, this program is worth it. It’s challenging in real ways, but also full of joy and connection. Go in open to both, and you’ll come out changed.

What was your biggest concern in regards to participating in the program? Were you able to overcome that concern, and if so, how? What advice would you give someone who has similar concerns?
My biggest concern was the cost. As a first-generation student, finances are always a challenge. Luckily, advisors at the Global Learning Hub were able to get this trip mostly funded by scholarships, which made it possible. My advice is: don’t count yourself out because of money; apply to every scholarship you qualify for, and reach out for help navigating the process.

What is something you wish you knew before joining the program? If knowing this previously, how do you think this would have impacted your experience?
I wish I had prepared more for the emotional weight of visiting memorials and historical sites. Knowing that in advance might have helped me create more space for reflection while I was there. At the same time, those moments were an important part of my learning.

How do you think your program experiences will benefit you in the future—thinking academically, future career goals, or personally?
This experience gave me a global perspective on sustainability and food systems that I’ll carry into my career in agriculture and viticulture. Personally, it deepened my connection to my African heritage and showed me the importance of cultural humility and collaboration in leadership.

Identities or Experiences
First Generation Student, LGBTQIA+, Nontraditional Student, Scholarship Recipient, Student of Color (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color), Transfer/Re-entry Student, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Heritage Traveler

Please elaborate on any other identities or experiences that impacted your program decisions or time on the program.
Being a first-generation college student and part of the African diaspora shaped why I chose this program. I wanted to connect with my heritage while also exploring my academic interests in agriculture, sustainability and food systems. These identities made me particularly drawn to programs that focus on community impact, leadership and cross-cultural learning. Experiencing Rwanda firsthand allowed me to reflect on my own roots and see how my perspective as a diaspora student could contribute to conversations about global health, sustainability and equity.

Is there anything else you would like to share?
Studying abroad was more than just an academic experience for me, it was personal. Going to Rwanda as a heritage traveler helped me claim and reconnect with my identity in a new way. For any student who feels like global opportunities aren’t meant for them: they are. Your perspective belongs in these spaces.