Seven Suitcases, One Journey, and Real-World Learning

HHARRIS@bridgew.edu — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 19:28:26 +0000

Seven Suitcases, One Journey, and Real-World Learning HHARRIS@bridgew.edu Wed, 07/08/2026 - 15:28

BSU students turned classroom study into hands-on service during South African service-learning course

July 15, 2026

Heather Harris Michonski

When she learned about BSU's South African Service-Learning Course, Madison Corkery, G’27, knew it was something she wanted to get involved with.

“As a social work student, I think it’s important to understand how communities face adversity, support one another and build on their strengths,” she said. “I wanted to experience cultural humility firsthand and learn how people live in different parts of the world.”

This is the second year the 3-credit course has been offered to BSU students. Social Work Associate Professor Jibril Solomon created the course with an eye toward using community as a classroom to enhance the professional and cultural competencies of social work, education, social science, and humanities students.

Solomon developed the course over two years, partnering with the Family Literacy Project (FLP) in Underberg, South Africa. FLP’s mission is to empower rural Zulu families and children through literacy and community support services.

“This mission aligns with BSU, and the School of Social Work’s aims to educate global citizens and prepare graduates to serve residents of the Commonwealth and beyond from all backgrounds,” Solomon said.

Since launching, the course has gained popularity. More than 40 students applied, forcing Solomon to place students on a waitlist this year.

In May, 22 students and two faculty members embarked for two and a half weeks in South Africa. They visited several isolated villages and worked with local teachers and community members, serving as peer coaches, advisors, and core facilitators.

“The experience was amazing. South Africa is a beautiful country, and I was continually inspired by the strong sense of community I witnessed throughout the villages we visited,” Madison said. “People worked incredibly hard with the resources they had and were always supporting one another.”

As an example, Madison highlighted a group of women who saved money for 16 years so they could build their own meeting house.

“Seeing the pride they took in that space and the dedication it took to create it was incredible,” she said.

Madison found a meaningful way to support the trip before it even began after she was introduced to the Dress A Girl Around the World organization during an internship through BSU. The organization, with a local chapter led by alumna Dr. Gloria Moran, ’69, recruits volunteers to sew dresses to donate to young girls and women around the world.

Madison organized a donation drive with Solomon and Moran, which resulted in collection of 233 dresses and numerous pairs of boys' shorts. It took seven suitcases to transport the donations to rural South Africa, where the students distributed them to local communities.

“Hand-delivering the dresses was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Even with the language barrier, I could feel the immense appreciation, joy, and love from the people receiving them,” she said.

Solomon reflected on the course’s impact and success, saying it exceeded his expectations.

"This has been a commitment of labor and love,” he said. “I was very strategic about the type of project I wanted to create. I wanted to help prepare BSU students by offering a project that allows them to learn through service and apply the skills and what they’ve learned to their future careers.”

For Madison, that meant gaining a fresh perspective.

“One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of focusing on people’s strengths rather than what appears to be lacking. We often compare other people’s lives to our own, and if something does not match our expectations, we assume something is wrong,” she said.

“Whatever you are studying, be that social work or another field, this course will help you grow personally and professionally. It will challenge you to think differently about service, leadership, and community.”

Do you have a BSU story you'd like to share? Email stories@bridgew.edu

One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of focusing on people’s strengths rather than what appears to be lacking. We often compare other people’s lives to our own, and if something does not match our expectations, we assume something is wrong.

Madison Corkery, G’27

Service Learning

Seven Suitcases, One Journey, and Real-World Learning