This study abroad trip to Rwanda explored the 1994 genocide and its aftermath through active learning experiences in the country. We studied the origins of the genocide with an emphasis on why it occurred and what causes genocide on a global level. The program then focused on the violence itself, including the forms of violence, who participated in the violence, and who was victimized.

I have always had a strong desire to travel the world and experience different cultures, languages, and traditions. I believe that my time spent in central Africa, studying the genocide and its aftermath in Rwanda, has provided me with a deeper understanding of human rights and their violations around the world and provided me with the insight and understanding of my personal responsibilities when witnessing suffering or violence even on a much smaller scale. By immersing myself into the Rwandan culture I feel as though my future career as a doctor will be greatly influenced by my time spent this summer in Rwanda. Although I may not know the exact direction or location my path in medicine will take me, I do know that this experience has helped me understand the complex social aspects of human beings and will help me to serve my patients on a much deeper level.

During the first week of this program, our focus was on how the history of the country led to the violent outbursts of genocide. The topics that were learned/experiences gained in this initial week included: colonialism and genocide, race, ethnicity, and class in Rwandan history, defining and understanding genocide, why genocide happens, exchange with local university students, visiting the Presidential Palace museum, visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial,  and meeting with Rwandan political leaders.

During the second week of this program, our focus was on the actual genocide and its aftermath within the country. The topics that were learned/experiences gained in this week included: how genocide unfolds, perpetrators of mass violence, gender-based violence, media representations and atrocity, interventions in violence and global responses in Rwanda, a visit to the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide, a visit to major genocide memorials and sites of massacres, attend a commemoration, and talk with local Rwandans about the violence.

During Week 3: Remaking Rwanda, this program’s focus was on how the country is rebuilding after the struggles with its past. The experiences gained during this week included: visits with the Rwandan Development Board, a visit with the Widows’ Association, a visit to the TIG (community service) camp, and a talk with judges from gacaca courts (courts implemented to rebuild the country’s strength and unity.)

After following a course schedule such as this, it’s hard to imagine not undergoing a spiritual and emotional transformation, such as the one explained previously. Although the course was personally challenging at times, in regards to immersing myself in a program emphasizing mentally and emotionally challenging topics for three weeks, I can say that it was an amazing experience that helped me when it comes to understanding my personal responsibilities when witnessing suffering or violence, even if on a much smaller scale.

Coming into this trip, I was expecting to immerse myself in a culture unlike my own as well as to study the country’s history, and in this instance, its past violence and genocide. While these expectations were met almost instantly, I was also able to take away so much more about humanity, forgiveness, and camaraderie. This trip has given me a whole new outlook on what it means to carry strength from within, to forgive even the worst of crimes, and to join your neighbors in rebuilding a country that was obliterated in a short span of 100 days. My experiences from my time abroad have also strengthened my desire to help individuals on local, national, and international levels, and to do so with hopefully even half the grace as those native to the country of Rwanda.