The Office of Institutional Diversity. Equity, Advocacy and Leadership's Global Experiential Learning (Global X) trip to South Africa, hosted in partnership with International Student Affairs (ISA), has once again provided a profound learning experience. After resuming in 2022, following a one-year pandemic pause, the program provides students with an in-depth exploration of anti-racism and gentrification by comparing South Africa's Apartheid system with racial issues in the United States.

Since its inception in 2019, the Global X Learning trip has been designed to enhance students' understanding of systemic oppression and foster inclusive leadership. This year's participants explored South Africa's complex history, visiting significant sites and engaging with local communities.

“I realized that South Africa's past is not as black and white as it seems in a classroom," reflected Sophomore Hanifa Savage. "Hearing personal accounts from those who lived through Apartheid made me understand that its impacts continue in subtle ways.”

Similarly, Senior Kennedy Brown observed, "the South Africans' honest discussions about their past highlighted the importance of radical honesty. Acknowledging past wrongs is crucial for reconciliation and healing, something we often struggle with in the U.S."

A distinctive aspect of the Global X Learning trip is the 360-degree approach. It starts with a semester long pre-travel series. After the on-site visit, students return to Temple University to present their findings and reflections during a spring symposium held as part of Cultural Unity Week. This event provides a platform for students to share their insights and connect their international experiences with local social justice efforts.

Funded in part by general activity funds within the Division of Student Affairs, the Global X learning trip underscores Temple University's commitment to global awareness and leadership. As the program continues to make a significant impact, it stands as a testament to the value of experiential learning in shaping informed and compassionate leaders dedicated to equity and justice.