My success is preserving culture for future generations.
Senior sociology major Kendra Smith believes in the value of knowing your history.
That's why she traveled to China to help sustain minority cultures for generations to come. Kendra and other students joined forces with the China Exploration Research Society (CERS) in just one of the study abroad opportunities available to UWRF students.
"It's important to study abroad, because it opens your eyes to different cultures and how other people think. We can all try to understand each other more," explains Kendra.
CERS is headed by How Man Wong, an international explorer and UWRF distinguished alumnus. During Kendra's trip to China, she spent a month helping to gather and carefully catalogue artifacts from villagers in the Li and Lisu Hill communities.
The artifacts were then displayed in traditional homes converted to '"living museums" devoted to conserving their ethnic way of life. Community members were trained in the upkeep and operation of the displays.
"We were helping them keep their traditions alive and giving them a source of revenue at the same time," says Kendra. "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Traveling to China wasn't Kendra's first experience studying abroad. The spring prior to visiting China, she journeyed to Belize with other UWRF students where she spent time immersing herself in Belizean culture and improving her Spanish. Kendra also served as a student ambassador with the People to People organization, traveling to France, Italy, and Malta.
Kendra says she learned about the chance to travel to China from Art Professor Lynn Jermal, and worked with her after the trip to bring artifacts to UWRF.
"She has so much passion for studying abroad, art, and teaching," says Kendra. "She makes me want to travel more."
After graduation, Kendra plans on continuing to help the citizens of the world by joining the Peace Corps.
"I want to experience the world and help people at the same, doing disaster relief work," says Kendra.
