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."
Click on the circles below to see more reviews
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
