International travel is a dream many of us have yet to realize, but for a small group of N.C. Central University graduate students international travel is less than a month away.
On May 14, a group of 28 students will travel to Monrovia, Liberia as a part of the graduate program headed by Donnell Scott Executive Master of Public Administration Program (EMPA).
Scott was recently elected international director of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and helped create EMPA six years ago in order to insert international experience in central governments of developing countries.
Although Scott has been to several different countries in Africa, he chose Liberia because the country recently became democratic after suffering through civil war and is currently in the process of rebuilding its government. "This is not a vacation," said Scott.
"Students will still see the devastation that Liberia has been through."
The trip is mandatory as a part of the EMPA program and is expected to last two weeks.
During this time students will work with government agencies in departments like social welfare and international affairs.
Scott chose Liberia so students will experience a developing nation outside of the U.S. and realize how fortunate American students are.
In preparation for the journey, students will attend multiple orientations to explain the culture of Monrovia.
Students will learn how they are expected to dress and conduct themselves so they are not culturally offensive.
They will also attend a course in leadership taught by Scott while in Monrovia.
While visiting Liberia, students will have the opportunity to meet Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who has been serving in this capacity since 2006.
"Traveling has put me in a position to learn how to survive in this type of environment," said Scott.
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