From the rolling hills of West Virginia to the sweeping plains of Kenya, 18 West Virginia University students, born decades apart, crossed 7,642 miles for the adventure of a lifetime.

The journey was open to current undergraduate students in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics in a special collaboration with WVU Extension's 4-H program and WVU alumni, many of whom are entrepreneurs within the state. The trip was led by Susan Jennings Lantz, teaching associate professor of business communication in the Chambers College, and Jennifer Ours Williams, associate dean and associate director of WVU Extension in the Division for Land-Grant Engagement.

While every study abroad program offered through the Chambers College's Robbins Center for Global Business and Strategy encourages students to broaden their worldviews, this was the University's largest multigenerational study abroad trip in recent years.

“Having non-traditional students on the trip impacted the way I viewed travel experiences,” said Anna Gorostieta, junior economics major at the Chambers College. “It was a privilege to go abroad with non-traditional students because they helped me understand that going abroad is not about the monetary value, but rather the lessons and stories one carries with them.”

By the end of the trip, the non-traditional students also came back with a deeper appreciation for their younger peers and gained respect for their abilities, perspectives and intellectual prowess.

“The traditional students welcomed me in and treated me as if I was one of them,” said Steve Lambert, WVU alumnus and owner of the biggest turkey farm in WV. “The coursework deepened my understanding of the country and helped bring my learning full circle.”

Over the course of their 14-day adventure, students visited Onsite ICF, Fairview Coffee Estate, Trout Tree Farm and Restaurant and Kazuri Beads East. Each of these operators showcased the diversity of Kenyan industries –affordable and sustainable housing, coffee supply chains, Kenyan aquaculture, and vocational programs that empower single mothers from economically challenged communities were all explored.

Each visit contained lessons on Kenya's economy and culture, which the students could compare with their experiences in West Virginia, deepening their appreciation for both regions.

“During the trip, we toured several businesses that had various social programs that empowered members of their communities,” said Patrick Folio, WVU alum and owner of Port Folio Events. “They inspired me to research how my own business can provide support to my community financially and through my hiring practices.”

Additionally, students visited Egerton University, located in Njoro, to engage in a case study competition led by Professor of Marketing Paula Fitzgerald.

“I love leading case studies as part of study abroad,” Fitzgerald said. “The cases are developed to integrate aspects of each country’s culture and business environment and can’t be completed without students from the two nations working together. They provide an opportunity for learners from two different parts of the world to have real conversations about their future goals and aspirations in their personal and professional lives.”

Students also had the opportunity to visit the American embassy in Nairobi to discuss economics, agriculture and culture. This visit helped lay the groundwork for future connections between Kenya and West Virginia.

“Developing and growing partnerships between our countries would allow a deeper relationship to strengthen our economies," Lambert said.

All trips sponsored by the Robbins Center are focused on furthering the university’s commitment to West Virginia. As a land-grant institution, WVU is committed to providing knowledge and research that improves the lives and livelihoods of its students, alumni, community partners and state.

“In the Chambers College, we’re very interested in making sure that students understand the entrepreneurial spirit of West Virginia,” Lantz said. “Through this trip, we took students and actual entrepreneurs to an emerging economy where we were able to talk about ways that a whole business ecosystem has grown.”

In many ways, that business ecosystem mirrors West Virginia’s own. One of the students’ biggest takeaways was the striking similarity between West Virginia and Kenya in industry and natural beauty.

“The trip to Africa allowed me to see the world from a different perspective,” Lambert said. “I have spent my entire life living in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia, and this trip made a deep impact on my view of Kenya’s customs, values and beliefs.”

Without the collaboration of the Chambers College, Davis College, Robbins Center, WVU Extension and the Office of Global Affairs, none of this would have been possible. It also required the collaboration of the students, as this trip required flexibility, cooperation and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones.

“I firmly believe that travel is one of the best teaching tools we have at our disposal,” said Folio. “We need to ensure that study abroad programs are properly funded so students can gain life experiences outside of the classroom.”

“For those who are considering going abroad, do it for your own personal growth rather than what you believe is expected of you,” said Gorostieta. “Study abroad is what you make of it, and for me, this trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity.”