Through my studies at the University of Illinois, I have developed a close affinity to Sierra Leone. In no way am I a Sierra Leonean, but I am a friend. 

I first traveled to the country in March of 2024. I was taking part in a University of Illinois journalism class called “Advanced Global Documentary Filmmaking.” The story we came to shed light on was the grassroots organization “Uman Tok” in the capital, Freetown. This name translates to “Woman Talk” from Krio to English. I spent one week in the country documenting the movements of the organization, whether this was seamstresses creating reusable menstrual pads in the tailor shop or reproductive health educators in classrooms. 

After this journey, I knew my relationship with Sierra Leone was not finished. 

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During Fall 2024, I applied to the ACES Global Food Security Internship program under the direction of Professor Paul McNamara, who had been a guest speaker in my journalism class to talk about the culture of Sierra Leone and the do’s and don'ts for students before we departed. This internship includes funds for international travel which I used to participate in ACE 398 International Development Immersion in Sierra Leone, also led by McNamara. 

My second program in Sierra Leone, during winter break, was completely different from my first experience there. With eight other students, I spent 20 days traveling around the country. We road tripped as a team to the South Eastern cities in the country to conduct post-harvest loss trainings reaching 19 villages and 600 farmers. These trainings were conducted by University of Illinois and Njala University students working together to show Scientific Animations Without Borders (SAWBO) videos in Krio. There were about six videos, each informing about different ways to store and grow crops and new postharvest loss prevention practices.

My favorite part of this study abroad program was meeting the Njala University students. I find it extremely interesting to talk to people my age who are from different places. It’s an opportunity to learn from them about agricultural extension and management. I also enjoyed staying in the University of Illinois House on the Njala University campus. The fact that my university has an entire house across the world is impressive to me. It makes me feel like the world is a little bit smaller in globally confusing times. 

Another memorable aspect of the experience were the bonds I created with the other University of Illinois students. You can’t say you hiked around Tiwai Island to see Diana monkeys with just anyone. Or got feasted on by African ants on an enormous cocoa farm in Kenema. My most memorable moment may have been towards the end of the program at Tokeh Beach. Two other students and I paddle boarded to a dock near the coast of our hotel. We lay out in the sun, listened to the seagulls, and jumped in the freezing water to swim back to shore. I also very much enjoyed the Njala students’ reaction when I did not consume the bones of the chicken I was served at dinner. 

I struggled only with building up the courage to relieve myself in the jungle. I can also confidently say I am no longer scared of insects, no matter the size or sound they make. I am much more comfortable with nature and feel immensely grateful to have access to running water, electricity, and a bed every day. 

I learned a lot about postharvest loss through my Global Food Insecurity internship. Being able to see the training in action, while documenting and gathering data from participants, was an amazing opportunity to participate in global field work. I have a greater intelligence on the real-life experience of farmers in Sierra Leone and the hardships they face daily. 

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During the trainings, the Njala students would speak to the participants in Mende, a local language spoken by many in the South Eastern regions, and I would desperately try to follow along. Then the Njala student I was paired with would translate into English the opinions of the participants for me to record. It was an interesting chain of information and proved that any language barrier can be overcome. 

Elena Cleary is a senior studying agricultural communications and an ACES Global Food Security Intern.