Fall 2026 Sabbatical

PRE-VOYAGE REFLECTION

I remember my first BIG trip abroad. In was in 2010 when I visited Kenya, Africa during graduate school. I was enthralled by the experience. It was larger than I had ever dream of as a first-generation college student who had only really traveled outside of the midwest during my time as an undergraduate. I went as a graduate student and helped support undergraduate students in their journey too. I am now about to visit my 32 country with the culmination of this trip over the last 16 years. I am deeply grateful to have chosen a career that takes me places and offers lessons of global-mindedness. Finding connection to people and places across the globe – and maybe, just maybe, wanting to seek a life outside of the comforts of the US.

It was deeply moving to spend time in a location with authentic and joyful humans in Kenya. Kenyans displayed a level of joy that could not be completely understood by the students not he trip. The consensus from the American students was a puzzling question of, “how can they be so happy with having so very little?” It complicated everything they knew about possessions, materialism, and the “comforts” of giving in the US. There are many ways that multiculturalism plays a role as travel abroad helps us see and understand what we may take for granted in our every day life. The point is for students to make-meaning of their experiences through a lens of intercultural and cultural humility, yet even guided discussions can be limited. Students need time and guided personal reflection to come to their own conclusions and to challenge themselves beyond what they have known for so long.

It is my intention to enter and move through the next four months with fresh eyes, meaningful reflection, and an appreciation for the new experiences, while keeping the old close to my heart. I draw from the lens of a faculty member so my analytical brain may sometimes need to be contained. This experience, one that I will share late in the journey with my partner and son, can be soul shifting, leaving offerings of abundance to encounter and help question the reality I experience in every day life. I enter this voyage with an open heart and mind, leaving the opportunity to deeply connect with people and communities.

In this world, there are few times to be completely present; and this is one of them. I will steer into solitude, leaving the luxuries of convenience behind. Challenge myself to stay off of social media (with the exception of sharing this blog and a few photos on insta). I will connect with family and friends that support and cheer me on and offer grace to those that don’t. I will hold space for the people I meet and interact with and help students feel valued and seen in my ship classrooms. I will reciprocate the love that I have felt before to others and try to sit in the anxiety or challenging moments knowing that they will pass. I want to modeled embracing adventure with curiosity for my son. That resiliency is something we use to navigate lifestyle challenges.

The voyage is about to begin! Follow along for my updates on my journey.

https://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/fall-2026/faculty