Oswego Going Global
SUNY Oswego 2013 Kilimanjaro Team
Our Stories
Going back to Tanzania and being on the mountain felt like going home. The people were as kind as I
remembered, welcoming us with open arms. Every turn, every corner… brought back fond memories-- all while new
memories were forming right in front of me. Watching the team grow together and become a family was the
highlight of my experience. Each time I reflect on this trip, my mind is filled with memories of their laughter,
remembering how they supported each other, sharing their hardships and triumphs, making friends with crew and
local children…what a joy! Observing their excitement as they experienced a whole new adventure with open minds
and hearts gave me a greater sense of optimism that the unity of people is not defined by the borders of the land
they live on, the language they speak, or the custom they practice. We are bonded by our shared desire for a
fulfilling life, happiness and peace. What a galvanizing experience!
Mehran Nojan, Team Co-Leader
Returning to Tanzania this year with the OGG team was a great experience that will be with me the rest of
my life. To be part of such a dynamic group and to witness their wonderment as they came in contact with
the Tanzanian culture and the beauty of the landscape were moments to treasure. I can’t say enough
about how much I enjoyed the experiences that I shared in Africa with Mehran and this great group of
students. It was also great to renew friendships established a year prior with the guides and porters as well
as making new friends along the way on our travels. This trip allowed me to delve even further into the
culture to increase my understanding of the traditions and a way of life that makes me feel so welcome. I
look forward to some day returning to Tanzania to spend even more time in this wonderful country.
Steve Baker, Team Co-Leader
The darkest hour Is just before the dawn, the best lesson I learned on the summit day. We began at midnight …. surrounded
by the utter darkness …The icy wind even cut through my thick clothes. … harsh circumstance seemed endless … I was
slowly losing a hope of making it to the top… then the slightest glimmer of light, a sign of sun rise…I was awake again ……
I could feel my heart thumping with joy. ...going up was no longer an agony…. ..Life is like a night climbing. …….huge rocks
blocking the way … .feeling alone in the darkness creating endless worries. As Scarlett O'Hara said, “After all, tomorrow is
another day", …. we have to trust ourselves and pause for a moment to look around. Always there are people waiting for us
to lean on their shoulder like my personal porter, Eima, walking right beside me......and my team members. There were so
many times when I almost surrendered and wanted to go down, Knowing the fact that I am not alone raised me every time I
fell down.. I learned from my experience in Mt. Kilimanjaro that if I do not stop and keep moving on, eventually the morning
sun will shine a light on my life.
Jihyeon (Jean) Hong , Marketing Major
…. this trip was so significant, that it really made me rethink my values, work ethic, and what I am capable of as a human
being. The climb itself was unlike anything I have ever taken on and accomplished in my life. …every day brought a new
challenge… I honestly don’t know that I would have made it without such an incredible support system: the crew, guides
and my team members. Though walking together, everyone was so focused on hiking and the rhythm of moving forward,
that we each had lots of time alone with ourselves. …during some of these moments, I was really humbled by my
surroundings and the unbelievable goal we were achieving. Talking to my friends back home about the trip, I keep
referring to summit day as the most rewarding but physically and mentally daunting task I have ever set out to do. There
was a brief moment when I felt a bit neglected…some of the others appeared to be receiving more help than me …I
soon realized how selfish my thinking was, and became thankful for the strength to have such success during the most
challenging part of our hike. Reassessing my thoughts in similar instances helped me remain positive and motivated,
and enhanced the overall trip. Already, traveling to Tanzania and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro have become pivotal
moments in my life that will continue to influence who I am. OGG!
Naomi Chalfin, English Lit. & Creative Writing Major &Sociology Minor
Summarizing our trip to Tanzania is difficult …… so much to say about so many different aspects of the
experience ….. At times we saw poverty. At times we saw struggle. But almost always we saw strength and
courage and perseverance and optimism, from the porters… to the beaming faces of the school children. And
that’s without mentioning the 19,341 foot vertical challenge that we each conquered in our own ways, solidified
in step by the unity of teamwork and friendship. Mt. Kilimanjaro itself was an integral part of the trip for its own
reasons, but was by no means the end all. Still, it brought with it a host of experiences, difficulties, and
profound satisfactions that really none of us had experienced before and likely few of us will in the same way
again……I’ve chosen this picture as a symbolic representation of an overall experience that has ultimately and
forever changed my perspective on life…… the summation of our journey can best be exemplified by daybreak
over Africa. …..Every so often there are cornerstones in our lives that will stand ….. to mark the things that
we’ve done and let us be marked by those things…... OGG 2013 was, and forever will be, a significant and
profound cornerstone of my life. Asante Tanzania.
Sean Sharp, MBA –Public Accounting Major
I learned so much about myself … also made connections with people across the globe. It was such a special and
unique experience; I will look back on the trip and treasure those memories forever. One thing I learned on the
mountain was how to balance individualism and teamwork. There are times I wouldn’t have been able to go on without
support of the crew or my teammates. There were other times I knew I had to push myself on my own terms, in order to
overcome my own obstacles within myself. I intended for this trip to be a chance for me to prove myself …..it became
about the connections I made and the memories I shared. It was so interesting to learn about another group of people
and to realize how connected we all can be. There is much to learn about other cultures, so I think if people would slow
down their hectic lifestyles and listen to what other people have to say, the world would be a more united place.
Molly Rudrow, Geology Major
The opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro ……has changed my life forever. The relationships with team members
and the people I met in Tanzania will be lifelong. The people of Tanzania were welcoming and talking with
them was always an uplifting experience. Hearing the personal experiences of great people like Patrick,
Boniface, and Vince opened my eyes to the human experience. Although our hopes and dreams for what we
wish to gain from this life may be slightly different, we all are trying to better our situations and searching for
happiness. Despite having been born on different continents thousands of miles away we have more in
common than we differ. ….. I refuse to let this incredible experience be once in a lifetime. This adventure
has inspired me to make every year of my life a time of new experiences and challenging adventures. I want
to die tired having traveled a million miles and touched the lives of every person I met on the way.
Kyle Durgin, Psychology Major
The entire experience, from start to finish, is something that I will never forget and I will take with me throughout
my entire life. Hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro was both physically and mentally exhausting. .. taking one day at a
time ….not thinking of the hardships of the days to come helped me to succeed and enjoy the mountain.. a
lesson that I can take with me through life.. . My team became my family ..We really looked out for each other
… I’m really thankful for that….. it was a huge accomplishment …I gained a lot of confidence… I am extremely
proud of myself for not giving up… I know I’ll be able to conquer other challenges throughout my life and make
the best of everything and every day. …. I’ll take the lessons that I learned, and the skills that I gained with me
through my life…. Joining the Oswego Going Global 2013 team truly was a great decision for me.
Heather Moore, Psychology Major
……my life has been changed for the better. Yes, we did all climb Mount Kilimanjaro and that is a feat in itself,
however, it was the journey that was most rewarding both on and off the mountain. The culture that we were
exposed to could not be bought, only experienced. One of my favorite parts was the one of the first days that
we were in Tanzania. Cody, Kyle and I were all lucky enough to play soccer with some of the village children.
This not only helped me build a relationship with a couple teammates, but it showed me that people can fully
understand each other without even saying a word. …..and our soccer ball gift could not express the gratitude
I have for the experience. …….I could not ask for a better team, and I am happy that I gained so many new
friends that we can always relate back to in the future…….Our porters and guides were beyond amazing ….. a
giant help with learning the culture as well as some Swahili. ..making our experience so enjoyable ..making
our climb possible … ….
Adam Krolikowski, Geochemistry Major
It wasn’t until hours leading up to our departure when the reality of this voyage settled in. I realized that this was a defining
experience, that I was about to do something big that would sculpt my character into a more defining sphere than most
people ever have the ability to do in a lifetime. I decided that regardless of how scared, nervous or anxious I felt I was going
to commit to this, to the best of my ability, and come out on the other side reborn and rejuvenated; and that I did. ….Africa
taught me patience, the value of a smile, and how to feel again. Honestly, I felt so much in Africa that my heart physically
hurt at times. And while I became very sick and scared climbing the mountain, what was truly amazing was the compassion
and support shown to me by the guides, porters and my teammates. They encouraged me to do something I’d been taught
never to do, to express what I was feeling when I was feeling it, and being able to confide openly in such a large group of
people was liberating. I could feel and express freely things I would typically keep bottled up that would eat away at me and
stress me out. Being surrounded by such a strong support system reaffirmed my faith in humanity, in the good of people,
and in myself. As for my team, I’m speechless. We configured into the most solid group of twelve I could ever have hoped
for and to climb by their sides was an honor, a privilege, and an experience I will never forget and couldn’t possibly imagine
sharing with any other group of individuals. Africa taught me to live in the present, to have more confidence in myself, and
that fear isn’t always a bad thing because it can be a predecessor of all the good to come.
Cayla Pratt, English and Creative Writing Major
There were so many moments and so many memories that will stick with me for a long time. Summiting, the safari’s,
dancing with porters; … were moments that made me think, “wow, this is real, it is happening.” …the most amazing
experience was playing soccer (football) with the local village children and Firekeeper. It wasn’t part of any plan and
it wasn’t even something I imagined …. there was just something about the way the kids let us play with them… we
had a good time, even though our only means of communication was playing soccer… the most rewarding part was
when they saw us coming across the field that last day in Africa holding a brand new ball we bought them…. they
jumped up, cheered and ran toward us…...that was an intense moment for me. Overall, I’m so thankful that I was
part of this trip. I’m so happy that we were all able to bond the way that we did. It was one of the most amazing
experiences of my life, filled with experiences that not many people get to do and experiences that I’m not likely to
ever forget.
Cody Waterman, Zoology Major
I found my heart on Kilimanjaro…… I’m sitting here reminiscing with the photos and videos … somehow I
cannot find words to describe my experience. I’ve been looking forward to this trip …. an intense high for me. .. in
recent years I’ve opened up more and do things that I know are out of my comfort zone; especially Kilimanjaro. I
remember back to our last night around the table, discussing our letters we wrote to ourselves at the beginning of
the semester, …… Cayla spoke of “committing to life.” That spoke volumes to me….. I fill my life with friends,
family, events and duties to ensure that I keep moving somehow. It was like remembering summit. Those seven
hours were the most torturous hours of my life, yet I knew that if I kept placing one foot in front of the other, that
eventually I’d get to where I was headed and …the views were incredible! …. often I think back to the porters and
guides I met on the mountain and hearing their life stories…The level of care and support those strangers had
for us warmed my heart. Our team was amazing and I felt our bonds strengthening with each step we took.
…..I’m very excited to get started on my documentary, and the faculty and students within my major that I’ve
spoken with about it are very enthusiastic, intrigued, and eager to help. I want to thank every person that made
OGG possible …. The team, Protus, the crew, Joyce, Firekeeper, everyone!
Mary Gleason, Creative Writing and Cinema Screen Studies