Are you looking for an experience that will take you out of your comfort zone, challenge your world view, and fill a longing to serve others? Then Sierra Leone might just be the trip for you! You will spend two weeks living and working in Freetown, the capital and largest city in Sierra Leone. Freetown is a westernized, urban city that is still in the throes of recovering from a long civil war. During your time there we will be collaborating with the Annie Walsh Memorial School. The Annie Walsh Memorial School is an all-girls school started in 1849 by the Anglican Church Missionary Society with the express mission of educating girls to the highest academic standards. The strong British influence means that English is almost universally spoken and is used in the schools. Their school motto, “Non Sibi Sed Omnibus” - Not for Self but for All, aligns well with the Queens motto and will guide our project.

Our mission is two-fold: First, with the help of the faculty and administration of the school, determine several areas where we can assist in creating sustainable change. (This may involve a service project, science-based venture, or a combination of the two.) And, second to provide opportunities for all participants to share their content area knowledge with students at the Annie Walsh School.. There may be opportunities to observe and otherwise engage with other schools in Freetown. Free time will be spent exploring the famous beaches of Sierra Leone, visiting the markets (and learning to barter!),visiting nature sites such as the chimpanzee reserve and visiting historic sites associated with the former slave trade.

Please note, this trip is well suited for adventurous students who are open to embracing and experiencing life outside the United States. Living conditions in Freetown can vary greatly from those in the US; electricity is intermittent, food choice is varied and some foods may not align with your American palate, tap water is not safe to drink and must be bottled or boiled before consuming, hot water for showers depends on the available power supply, and internet access may be slow and unreliable. You may interact with people who possess differing levels of personal hygiene and public transportation though available is an adventure unto itself. In short, Sierra Leone looks, sounds, smells, tastes and feels very different from the US. If you are a student who is reliant on US comforts, this is not the trip for you.

This trip is open to all majors. Participants for this trip will be selected based on personal essays and interviews. Health regulations require that all entrants to Sierra Leone be vaccinated for Yellow Fever. Other vaccinations and prophylactic medications are strongly recommended.

Students will receive up to five hours of JBIP credit.

This is a SELECTIVE program.