By Eli Meschko
Media & Communications Coordinator
From January 13 to 23, five Enactus students from Briar Cliff University journeyed to Mbuguni, Tanzania, as part of Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministries (STEMM).
During their time in Tanzania, the students immersed themselves in daily village life, attending church, working on service projects, visiting local schools, and connecting with community members. They formed meaningful relationships, played with children, and worked alongside locals, gaining firsthand insight into the joy, resilience, and generosity of the people. The experience was both humbling and eye-opening, prompting reflection on privilege, education, and the opportunities they have at home.
Joana Boal Neves, a graphic design sophomore from Lisboa, Portugal, shared how the experience filled her heart and felt enriching.
“My favorite experience was being able to go to some schools and see the kids and play with them,” Neves said. “Even though we were strangers, everyone was nice and took us in as family.”
Neves also urged other students to experience something like this, as it taught her so much about life and how fortunate we are.
Carl-Andy Michel, a marketing senior from Naples, Florida, reflected on how the experience awoke a newfound hunger to fully pursue his dreams.
“While filming our documentary, I got to see firsthand a guy my age whose dream was to live in a nearby big city to pursue his production company dream,” Michel said. “I realized I haven’t been maximizing my opportunities. This guy was hustling to make his dream come true, while I have been more passive about my pursuit. It was very motivating for me.”
He noted how eternally grateful he is to have had the opportunity to go on this trip.
Ondine Manceau, an international business and business administration double major senior from Nantes, France, shared how humbled the trip made her feel. The experience touched her and is something she will carry for the rest of her life.
“One of the main lessons I learned from this experience is that, coming from a privileged country, we don't always realize how lucky we are to have access to education,” Manceau said. “It may seem obvious, but having the opportunity to go to school really changes your life, and it shouldn't be difficult to achieve.”
She wanted to thank everyone who made the opportunity possible. The money raised helped build a connecting canal, purchase sewing machines, and acquire other equipment that has changed the lives of thousands of Tanzanians.
Alexander Johnson, a finance and international business double major senior from Maidstone, England, taught him that life is much more than material things. He noticed how the people of Tanzania were amongst the happiest and most welcoming people he’s ever met, despite not having as much as the Western world.
“The trip to Tanzania was a truly humbling and eye-opening experience,” Johnson said. “Seeing the before-and-after impact of the projects we worked on made everything feel real and meaningful. My favorite part was witnessing how our work directly improved the community and knowing we were part of something bigger than ourselves.”
He urged fellow students to take this trip, as it broadened his understanding of the world. Being able to make a real impact through Enactus and projects made the experience even more powerful.
Emma Brenelli, an international business and marketing double major junior from Rovinj, Croatia, couldn’t point to a specific moment but rather said the whole experience was an amazing adventure.
“I remember our whole team coming back to the rooms at night and talking about how every day gets better and better,” Brenelli said. “We weren’t just ‘tourists’; we immersed ourselves in their culture, went to places tourists would never go to, and got to know people from the village.”
Brenelli wanted to thank Dana, from Charity Tanzania, for helping the team with their projects and giving them an unforgettable experience. She also wanted to thank STEMM for having the team on its campus and taking care of the five Chargers.
For the five Briar Cliff students, the trip to Tanzania was an experience that left a lasting impact. Spending time in schools and villages, working alongside community members, and building real connections gave them a new perspective on daily life. The kindness, joy, and resilience they witnessed challenged their assumptions and reshaped how they view opportunity and gratitude.
Many of the students described returning home with a deeper sense of humility and purpose. The experience reminded them not to take education, resources, or time for granted and encouraged them to be more intentional with the opportunities they have. Together, they agreed that the trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.