GU-Q students traveling in Kenya.
Doha: In May 2024, a group of students from Georgetown University, Qatar (GU-Q) embarked on a journey to Kenya expecting adventure. They did not anticipate that it would be a journey that would profoundly transform their understanding of community and social impact.
Saim Haider (SFS’26) signed up for a Community Education Program (CEP) trip to learn about social entrepreneurship and was looking forward to the travel, safari, and cultural experiences, but the trip would forever change his understanding of community development. “We arrived around 7 a.m. and went straight to the hotel for breakfast and a meeting,” Saim recalls.
Their first meeting with World Bank representatives provided a crash course on the socio-economic situation in Kenya and set the tone for their experience.
Rooted in Georgetown values, CEP blends academic learning with hands-on field experiences to foster critical thinking and cross-cultural problem-solving. In Kenya, students explored the country’s vibrant culture and entrepreneurial spirit with a focus on social entrepreneurship and community development.
Learning and Participation in Nairobi and Nayuki In Nairobi, they were immersed in the multifaceted Kenyan context to understand the fundamentals of social entrepreneurship.
“We designed the program to give students a broad understanding of Kenyan history, politics, economics, sociology, tribes, and nation-building before tackling a specific problem,” explained Malak Elmo (SFS’21), Student Development Officer at GU-Q.
Students engaged directly with local communities to explore sustainable solutions to social challenges.
They interacted with entrepreneurs, visited social enterprises, and participated in workshops highlighting innovative approaches to social issues. “At each meeting, we were able to ask questions and gain insights. Everyone at CEP was working on something impactful, from accessibility projects to agri-based social entrepreneurship,” Syme explained.
From Nairobi, students traveled to Nanyuki to participate in a Habitat for Humanity volunteer program and help build homes for people in impoverished areas. Aya Hassan (SFS’25) was deeply moved by helping build a home for a single mother with five children.
“Seeing the family that lives in this house made it feel so close to home,” she said.
Bringing lessons back home Back at GU-Q, the students share their experiences through presentations, discussions and community projects to deepen the community’s understanding of global social entrepreneurship. “Our main priority is to push students outside of their comfort zone,” says Malak.
“CEP is more than just the trip; it’s about putting what you learn into practice on campus and in the local community.” Reflecting on the experience, the students emphasized that they learned profound lessons about community and social impact.
“The biggest thing I learned was the strong sense of community I saw there,” Syme said. For Aya, a key lesson was the importance of intentional collaboration and engaging with people outside of your usual circle. In the end, “everyone came back a different person,” she said.
