An Adventure Learning class from Elon University climbs Kilimanjaro and collectively writes about their shared experiences, charting a path for other Millennials to follow.
An Adventure Learning class from Elon University climbs Kilimanjaro and collectively writes about their shared experiences, charting a path for other Millennials to follow.
East, Education (general), Mountaineering
Students in Elon University’s first adventure-based learning course to Tanzania hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro - millennial style. Then they wrote a book about it. The 22 upper-level students in the Core Capstone course authored this book in order to share what they learned from their adventure, and provide helpful information for those who follow in their footsteps. Most travel adventure books about Kilimanjaro are written by older adults, and tend to focus on the individual's “peak experience." Those reading Kilimanjaro, Millennial Style will quickly grasp the different ways young adults perceive their world, how their relationships are deepened, where they find adventure, and what it means to have an authentic experience together. As one of the authors wrote, "I would never want to hike to the top of Kilimanjaro again. Not because it wasn't the most amazing experience I have ever had, but because it wouldn't be with the people that made my experience so extraordinary."
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I just finished reading Kilimanjaro Millennial Style - The Mountain We Climbed, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It chronicles the journey of 22 students as part of an adventure-based learning course. Each chapter is written by a different student, which brings unique perspectives, especially where there is a bit of overlap. Having climbed Kilimanjaro with my son in 2009, the book obviously brought back great memories and a reminder of what the mountain can do to a person if you don't treat it with the respect it deserves. But it's more than that. It was a unique learning experience for the students and the bluntness and exuberance in the writing reflects a mission accomplished in more ways than one. This is not just a climbing book, although there is valuable advice for the aspiring climber. There are lessons to be learned here for all of us. Spending a few days on a mountain with people you barely know in sometimes extreme conditions can bring out the best or worst in people and the students seemed to handle it all very well, and often with humor. The book is entertaining for sure. But it is also inspirational and a guide to understanding what it means to persevere toward a goal. It's a reflection of developing relationships and how millennials view the world, and particularly the environment. There is no preaching here. It's the students personal experiences laid out for all to see, leaving us to form our own conclusions. When I finished reading the book, I was left with the feeling that if these students are representative of the millennial population, we are in good hands. I highly recommend Kilimanjaro Millennial Style, whether you are an adventure seeker or not. ~ Barry Finlay , Co-author of Kilimanjaro and Beyond - A Life-Changing Journey
Please visit the attached link as cannot copy content. https://gr8traveltips.com/kilimanjaro-millennial-style/ ~ Robert Tellier - Gr8 Travel Tips, https://gr8traveltips.com/kilimanjaro-millennial-style/
My husband and I read Dr. Parks’ and his students’ book as we were preparing to travel to Tanzania and climb Kilimanjaro. We found it very useful - from the practical packing lists, to the personal descriptions of the ecosystems we would travel through as we climbed, to the methods to assess how tour companies treat their porters. We particularly appreciated the “raw truth” that this book conveyed. While we have done our homework and read the standard guidebooks about Kilimanjaro and Tanzania, reading this book was more like having the opportunity to peruse a good friend’s journal of her trip. It provided unique and unfiltered perspectives that we had not found in more commercial guidebooks. It was a quick, easy, and fun read, packed with good information. I would definitely recommend this book! ~ Fellow Faculty Member at UGA (arranged by Dr. Miller), Anonymous Reader
As someone with no interest in adventure travel, I was surprised to find that I couldn’t put this book down. The narrative is absorbing and engaging; the story is told with such authenticity that it captured my imagination the way a good novel would, leaving me eager to follow the students’ journey and find out what would happen next. Despite being written by a variety of authors, the voice seemed very consistent and the book transitioned smoothly from one chapter to the next. I was completely caught up in the students’ thoughts and emotions; I felt as though I was walking alongside them as they faced each challenge, getting to know them, and cheering them on to achieve their goal. I felt fortunate to benefit from the lessons they learned without having to leave the comfort of my warm, safe home. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone who might be contemplating a similar trip (or whose child has proposed such a trip) and also to anyone who loves to get lost in a fascinating, compelling, and well-told story. ~ Dr. Diane Miller, Director of Student Academic Services at the University of Georgia
