Students Explore Global Communities Through Summer Service Trips

This summer, Morningside College successfully concluded three international service-learning trips led by the Junior Fellow team, providing students with immersive educational experiences in China, Japan, and Morocco.

Kaiping, China (17–23 May)

Sixteen students traveled to Guangdong, partnering with Learn with Dragonfly to focus on heritage preservation and village revitalization. The cohort explored tangible and intangible cultural heritage by visiting Cangdong Village and the Zili Village UNESCO World Heritage site, engaging with local experts on rural architectural renovation. The trip culminated with students harvesting crops and cooking on a local farm while learning about sustainable agricultural models.

Okinawa Prefecture, Japan (24–30 May)

Shortly after, thirteen students visited the islands of Iriomote and Ishigaki to study the intersections of tourism, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation. Guided by local hiking instructors, environmental and cultural experts, participants engaged in hands-on community service, including a beach clean-up and planting vegetation for a coastal "green belt". They also learned directly from rangers at the Coral Reef Research and Monitoring Center about local ecological challenges.

Rabat and Marrakech, Morocco (8–19 June)

The final trip took fourteen students to Morocco in collaboration with the Centre for Cross-Cultural Learning (CCCL). This program highlighted social enterprises, women's rights, and environmental protection. Students visited the Moroccan Association for Family Planning (AMPF) to learn about sexual and reproductive health rights, alongside impactful NGOs like Al Nour and Amal, which support and train women for new employment opportunities. The group also explored ecological advocacy through visits to the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection and the Maamora Forest Ecomuseum.