Knee deep in muddy water with sweat dripping from her brow, digital media junior Sami Stoloff directed her strength and mind to digging a trench in Maji ya Chia, Tanzania.  All of her energy was focused on the prospect of running water reaching the African school and day care center.  

            Visual senior Emma Ely propelled on a rope down the side of a mountain in South Africa.  Though terrified of heights, Ely took the mental and physical jump.  She was determined to take advantage of the present opportunity.

Lions relax on the rocks a few feet away from keyboard junior Elizabeth Priegues. On a South African safari, Priegues was stunned by the proximity to and the grace of the animals. Zebras, elephants and giraffes walked across the street in front of her without pause.

            Though these three individuals all ventured to Africa for different purposes with various goals in mind, there is one tie that unites them all. This binding strand formed after the three students returned from Africa. They each realized their newfound knowledge could translate into artistic inspiration. Stoloff plans to utilize the photographs she captured during her trip to educate her peers, Ely is creating video art to showcase her discoveries and Priegues was inspired by African music.

 Samii Stoloff                                 

Each year, glossy brochures from National Geographic are mailed that advertise exotic and enlightening expeditions across the globe. Stoloff decided to spend her summer vacation abroad after receiving one of these brochures. Stoloff was accepted to the National Geographic photo safari adventure program and departed for Tanzania to experience three weeks of learning, working and exploring.

“The group and I learned about the way the people live and how they perform their tasks and grow their food,” Stoloff said.  “A lot of people there did not have access to running water and had to walk three to five miles a day to access clean water.”

In addition to learning about Tanzanian culture, Stoloff also gained valuable photography skills. National Geographic expert Andrew Evans presented slideshows to improve the photographers’ technique and composition. Stoloff utilized his advice and captured over 4,000 photographs.

“I plan to use the photos to show other people that Africa is not what the media portrays.” Stoloff said. “I want people to see the happiness, the joy and just the overall experience.”

Emma Ely

            Since 1932, The Experiments in International Living has sent students abroad to immerse themselves in a unique culture. Last summer, Ely took advantage of the opportunities the program offers to embark on a journey to South Africa and live with a local family.

            “My  African family was very poor, but wonderfully respectful, curious and hilarious,” Ely said. “I had three younger sisters and a mother and father who I called Momma and Dad, or Patrick.”  

Performing these chores and residing in a new home allowed Ely the chance to connect with her family and form valuable relationships she continues to cherish. The interactions also sparked Ely’s creativity. 

            “I’m currently working on a performance piece which is video art,” Ely said. “The piece is meant to reflect the relationships I made and a general feeling of how I interacted with the people.”

Elizabeth Priegues                                                          

 Nearly every year, keyboard junior Elizabeth Priegues and her family venture to a new international vacation destination.  This year they decided to visit South Africa. While there, Priegues visited the top tourist attractions. The family went to the famous Table Mountain and Cougar National Park, but Priegues’ favorite location was an isolated beach on Cape Hope.

“It took a 45-minute walk on a wooden plank and a climb down a ladder to reach the beach,” Priegues said. “It was nearly a religious experience for me because the empty beach combined with the giant rocks was absolutely exquisite.”

In addition to enjoying the sites, Priegues also fell in love with the country’s music.  The family went to see the native African performance entitled Momma Africa, where Priegues was exposed to the unique instruments the culture has to offer. Priegues discovered the marima, an instrument similar to the keyboard, and was interested by the drums formed of wood and animal skin.

“African instruments and music are completely unique to the country and its culture,” Priegues said. “I would compose my own music inspired by Africa. The types of sound add a unique texture to western music. When combined, they’d make a very cool, bizarre sound.”