Alexandra Township, South Africa – Members of the Kean University community had the privilege of visiting the NBA Africa headquarters while giving back to local youth during a Spring Break trip through Kean's Travelearn. 

Travelearn offers Kean students the opportunity to combine academic studies with short-term travel to various destinations. This short-term travel is typically a period of 7-10 days of travel connected to an academic course, which is faculty-led with Kean University students. Travelearn programs are led by faculty who are experts in the respective program's field of study.  The programs typically consist of lectures and excursions related to a particular topic with students of all majors. 

This spring, Kean offered Travelearn programs to China, England, Iceland, Ireland, Italy and for the first time, South Africa. 

A contingency of 30 students and staff, including President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., were welcomed by the NBA Africa headquarters where they met with senior representatives who provided an overview of the work happening in Africa. A fireside chat ensued where members of the Kean entourage learned about the NBA Africa strategy, how the NBA is using basketball as a tool for development and what future plans are in store. 

Afterwards, the group headed to Alexandra to visit an NBA refurbished basketball court and conduct a youth basketball clinic.  Led by Kelly Williams, Director of Athletics, the students and staff directed a warmup, created basketball stations (shooting, defense, passing, dribbling) and discussed life skills that could be applied from basketball. 

"NBA Africa welcomed us with a presentation and the opportunity to conduct a basketball clinic with the children of Alexandra," stated Alison Kowalewski, Sport and Event Management major and women's volleyball student-athlete. "Listening to the stories and getting to know the other children changed my perspective on what life is really like in South Africa. Connecting with the community was an incredible experience! As Dr. Repollet said all throughout our trip, I will be forever changed after this Travelearn."  

"During the clinic we had an opportunity to play basketball with all the students of the local community, and it allowed us to connect with all of the students through sports," stated Corey Rodriguez, Public Service and Administration major and cross country and track student-athlete. "This trip created a bridge between South Africa and Kean that wouldn't have been the same without sports."