One thing that Dr. Cammy Romanuck Murphy has learned through a lifetime of traveling – seeing truly is believing.

“No matter how you describe your own travel experiences, no one can ever fully understand what it’s like until they have gone and created their own experiences,” she said. “I’ve never learned more than by going somewhere and having an open mind. Traveling is the best way to experience the world, relate to people, and learn and grow in your personal and professional life.”

Romanuck Murphy, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs and Strategic Partnerships at Midland University, recently went with a group of eight Midland students on a trip to Tanzania as part of the Dr. Leo H. Kirchhoff Study Away program. Students received three credit hours for the experience.

The group spent a dozen days in the East African country, immersing themselves in a culture far different from the one they experience every day in America. Through cultural awareness, education-based experiences, and excursions, students gained insight into life halfway around the globe. 

“This was my first time traveling out of the country, and I am blessed that my first experience was in Tanzania,” Jillian Dames, a Midland University senior, said. “In Tanzania, it’s important that relationships are upheld through work and productivity. This is different from America’s fast-paced lifestyle, which focuses on efficiency and time. Their pace of life highlights patience, relationships, and taking life as it comes.”

The early portion of the trip was spent educating themselves about life in Tanzania through visiting schools and hospitals.

Rev. Martin Russell, a 1986 Midland graduate, serves as Director of Africa Operations for Opportunity Education, which focuses on providing students across Tanzania with a high-quality secondary education and the opportunity to develop the mindset, habits, and skills necessary to create value for their families, communities, and country. 

“Martin was a great help throughout the process and helped us make a lot of connections,” Romanuck Murphy said. “It was eye-opening to see the differences between government-based schools and Opportunity Education schools.”

In 2023, Midland entered into a partnership with Opportunity Education to provide certification to teachers in Tanzania. More than 50 educators earned their certificates, and Romanuck Murphy said she was able to connect with many of those teachers during their time in the country. “It was obvious the impact those teachers made on their students,” she said.

One school visit brought a special connection for one Midland student and her family. Hannah Meyer, who graduated from Midland in May, got the opportunity to visit Marlex Secondary School, which is named after her grandparents, Alex and Marlys Meyer, both 1964 Midland graduates.

While a student at Midland, Alex forged a friendship with John Mkenda, a Midland student from Tanzania. After graduation, their friendship remained strong over the years, and Alex and Marlys made several visits to Tanzania. 

“In 2015, secondary education was mandated in Tanzania,” Romanuck Murphy said. “Alex saw value in education, and through fundraising efforts from him and Marlys, they helped build the Marlex school in John’s village.”

The school hosted the Midland group for a visit, and later that day, a memorial service to honor both Alex and John was held at Mkenda’s home and hosted by his wife and daughter. 

“I had memories of the friendship between my grandfather and John from when I was a young child, and I remember John visiting and coming to our family reunions,” Meyer said. “I was elated to have the opportunity to meet John’s wife and daughter and visit their home. The legacy of my grandpa and John is strong, and it has tied our families together despite the thousands of miles between us and the passing of both men. I always knew grandpa and John were close friends, but now I truly understand how powerful that friendship was.”

During their visit to a hospital, Midland students got to spend time with Tanzanian nursing students and get a glimpse of what healthcare looks like. “The nursing students joined us for lunch and were paired up with our students,” Romanuck Murphy said. “They hit it off so quickly, and it was wonderful to see people from completely different ends of the world make connections.”

While the first portion of the excursion was spent educating students on life in another part of the world, the final days were spent enjoying the sights and wonders of the country through safaris and hiking part of Mount Kilimanjaro.

“I was able to experience some incredible wildlife parks and landscapes from Mount Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater,” Dames said. “I got to see many animals, including elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and many others. I was especially fascinated with Ngorongoro Crater, which was home to many animals and acted like a close-knit ecosystem that I could observe.”

Having the opportunity to meet new people and see new things is a lasting memory for these students.

“This trip has gifted me countless lifelong memories that I will cherish forever,” Meyer said. “The experience of immersing myself in such a vastly different culture was unforgettable, and I learned so much.  I will forever keep these memories close to my heart, and I am incredibly grateful for the friendships I formed along the way.”

Midland’s 2026 Study Away trip is set for May 19-27 in France. The trip will be limited to the first 20 students to register.