Togetherness: How an Internship in Zanzibar gave Ljiljana a whole new perspective

My name is Ljiljana Medovarski. I am a 3rd year philosophy student at Laurier, and this past summer I had the opportunity to conduct an internship with Youth Challenge International in Zanzibar, Tanzania. When I first landed on the island, I remember noticing the beautiful biodiversity and the welcoming hands of the Zanzibari people. Although stepping into unfamiliar surroundings was daunting, I now realize that those moments of uncertainty were the very ones that taught me the most invaluable lessons. I loved the spontaneity of each day and the unexpected challenges I had to overcome during my three months there, which led me to both personal and academic growth.

Although I was a visitor, I learned things from Zanzibar that I will carry with me always. I engaged in various tasks that helped me gain insights into Zanzibar’s culture and the values of its people.
Navigating the streets of Stone Town and building sustainable projects with the brilliant women entrepreneurs were just a few highlights and, as I began to adapt, I fell in love with their philosophies of togetherness and approach to living in the present moment.

My fondest memory was working with a community of beekeeper women in Kiwengwa, North Unguja. I first met their village as I was traveling across the island, conducting interviews with our partner organization, Barefoot College International Zanzibar. I didn’t know a lot about beekeeping beforehand, but seeing how it’s been a source of empowerment for rural women in Zanzibar sparked a new-found interest in me. I loved witnessing their resilience and creativity so much so that we began an innovative project called the Kiwengwa Honeybee Cottage.

In an effort to create a sustainable and impactful business venture — one that would empower women and support future generations — I worked with the Kiwengwa community to make their vision come to life. What started as a local apiary also became a social enterprise, open to anybody looking to learn about their culture. The opening ceremony, which happened the week before my departure, was so special. But I will always remember the evening before when everyone gathered with their hands busy, placing the final touches on this project we poured so much passion into. As I was packaging the last of the honey jars, the reality of my time in Zanzibar coming to an end began to sink in. The hums of conversations in Swahili and the laughter of children playing washed over me as I felt a sense of purpose among us. It was a bittersweet ending to my placement.

I was beyond happy to see my family and friends again when I arrived back in Canada, but there was definitely a sense of displacement that lingered on for a few weeks after. I had gotten so used to the distinct pace of life and closeness between people that adjusting to my routine in Canada felt strange. Now, I find myself a lot more outgoing and open than I was before — particularly because of the spontaneity of the trip that gave me so much more confidence in social settings. I want to bring back to Canada the sense of togetherness I experienced in Zanzibar. The way that people supported one another left a big impression on me, so I hope to apply those same values here. I wholeheartedly encourage any student who has the opportunity to study abroad to take it and embrace the unpredictability of the experience! I can confidently say that I now have a new perspective on my own life back at home as well as the world around me.

Written by Ljiljana Medovarski

This life-changing experience was made possible through Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) funding.