A PROGRAM BUILT ON PURPOSE

Our interim program pairs academic rigor with transformative learning in the heart of Uganda.

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Designed for academic credit. Powered by human connection.

This program cultivates critical thinking, global awareness, and personal growth. Students leave with a deeper understanding of the world—and a higher appreciation for their own role within it.

Students begin by learning the history of Uganda and the country’s current political landscape—giving them essential context to understand why Ugandan grassroots efforts exist and what they’re responding to. From there, students learn directly from Ugandan change-agents leading real-world initiatives in education, public health, the arts, and more. These local leaders serve as professors. Uganda becomes the classroom. Appreciation becomes the lesson.

A person standing next to a black cow in a rural setting with greenery and pink flowers.

Stay in 4 unique areas of Uganda

From Entebbe to Kampala, Jinja to Bududa – students experience a wide spectrum of Uganda’s beauty and spirit.

A group of people sitting outside near a wooden structure, featuring a man holding a black cap with "The Culture Connection Project" printed on it. Several others are in the background, with greenery surrounding the area.

Live along-side Ugandan change-agents

Students eat, travel, and learn side-by-side with Ugandans changing their country from within.

A young woman with braided hair helping a child at a table. She is holding a small object, possibly a craft or food item. The child is sitting, wearing a red checkered shirt, looking at the woman. There are supplies and materials such as paper and packages on the table. The background shows a colorful bulletin board and a whiteboard with writing on it.

Support grass-root projects with real impact

Students assist with the work that our Ugandan partners are leading, hands-on.

A group of volunteers, including Joshua Sims and Grace Nakimera on a The Culture Connection Project Uganda Trip walking through Kampala, with others smiling and children in traditional attire around them. All wearing CCP swag.
Group of five people relaxing on a boat dock by a river during sunset, some are sitting and looking at their phones, others standing, with lush trees and water in the background.
The Culture Connection Project group in 2023 posing together on a balcony at night in Kampala, Uganda. Some are wearing black shirts with "The Culture Connection Project" written on them and CCP hats. Joshua Sims and Grace Nakimera are in the photo.
A group of young people hiking on a narrow trail in a lush green forest, with one boy smiling at the camera in the foreground.
Group of people gathered in front of a bus with a banner that reads 'The Culture Connection Project.' Some individuals are sitting on the ground, others are standing, and a few are looking through the bus windows. The background features trees and a
Three young adults, two women and one man, having a conversation outdoors near a rustic brick building, dressed in matching black T-shirts with the text "The Culture Connection Project," on a dirt path surrounded by greenery.

The journey

Each day is intentionally designed to build knowledge, cultural empathy, and a broader world-view. We’re always open to customizing the experience to meet the academic goals of our partners.

  • Students arrive in Uganda, are welcomed at the airport by our American staff, and brought to Banana Village, our partner hotel in Entebbe

    We set the tone for cultural humility, safety, and group connection. Evening accommodations allow for rest and preparation for the journey ahead.

  • Our orientation invites each student to introduce themselves and share a little about themselves. The group discussions helps establish shared values, expectations, and start to form empathy and appreciation within the group.

    Later, a lecture and presentation covering Uganda’s history, political landscape, and cultural norms is given to equip students with essential context for understanding the causes behind the grassroots efforts they’ll engage with.

    A documentary on Uganda’s history and political dynamics is played in the evening evening, followed by group discussion.

  • The group travels to Kampala via our 24-person bus, fully equipped with electricity, a fridge, and AC, This bus and driving staff is with the group throughout the duration of the trip.

    Upon reaching Kampala, we explore Uganda’s complex past through a tour of Idi Amin’s former palace and torture chambers, followed by a visit to Hope of Hope Orphanage.

    At Home of Hope, founder Series Denis informs to the students about his efforts to house many of the Ugandan children in his community, and gives the students a tour through the facility.

    In the evening, the group checks into Forest Cottages, our Kampala Partner Hotel, where we will stay while in Kampala.

  • Students meet Grace Nakimera - the founder of Feed The Streets, a grass-roots initiative serving meals to Kampala’s unhoused population. After a lecture on systemic poverty and community response, students assist in food preparation and distribution for mothers and children of the community.

  • Students spend the day with refugee youth at an art-based nonprofit. After a lecture from the founder about their efforts in healing child refugee trauma through the power of art, students join workshops and collaborative creative sessions with the youth.

  • After a travel day to Jinja, the group checks into Nile River Explorers, our hotel partner in Jinja, which is located on the edge of The Nile Ricer.

    The students unwind with a group dinner and a cruise over The Nile River. It’s an opportunity to reflect informally, bond with peers, and absorb the natural beauty of their surroundings.

  • Students engage with children at a local orphanage and hear from the founder about the intersection of abandonment, social services, and resilience in Ugandan communities. Reflection time follows the visit.

  • A cultural immersion day includes a guided walking tour of Jinja, followed by a boat cruise on the Nile. Students learn about the town’s colonial past, economic history, and contemporary life.

  • We transition to eastern Uganda with a stop at Mbale Market for a firsthand look at regional commerce and trade.

    Once in Bududa, students reach The CCP homestead, and receive a cultural briefing and village walk to prepare them for the experience living in the rural village.

  • A group hike offers space for physical reflection and connection with Uganda’s landscape. Students hear from local guides about the environment’s cultural and ecological significance.

  • Students shadow teachers and support classroom activities at a rural primary school. The principal shares insights into the challenges of education access in remote regions.

  • Building on the previous day, students rotate through different classrooms and interact with children through games, reading, and collaborative learning. Emphasis is placed on connection, not charity.

  • At this high-performing rural school, students tour the facilities, join a discussion on education equity, and assist in structured enrichment activities designed in partnership with faculty.

  • Returning toward Jinja, students explore Sipi Falls—an iconic site in Uganda. The hike includes local storytelling and prompts for journaling around gratitude, perspective, and personal growth.

  • Students enjoy a rest day to relax, kayak, or explore nearby areas. That evening, we host our signature “Family Circle,” where students share reflections and appreciation before closing the journey together.

  • The group travels back to Entebbe for a final evening. Students decompress, pack, and prepare emotionally and logistically for their return home.

  • Departure day. Students leave Uganda with a deeper understanding of the world, their place in it, and the power of cultural appreciation.

A group of people gathered outside a rustic building, engaged in conversation. One woman in a patterned dress is speaking to others, including a person in a black outfit and hat, and another in colorful clothing with a white cap. The setting looks informal, with a dirt ground and brick walls. Several children are also present, including one crouching and another sitting nearby.
A group of people wearing 'The Culture Connection Project' shirts stand in front of a colorful bus with a sign reading 'The Culture Connection Project'. The bus features a graphic image of a mountain landscape and a gorilla.
A group of people posing in front of a waterfall in a forest setting, some holding sticks, all smiling. They are standing in a shallow stream, with rocky terrain and greenery around.
A group of children in school uniforms walking on a dirt path with an adult. The background features lush green trees and small structures, suggesting a rural setting.
Person sitting on a wooden bench under a canopy, overlooking a scenic view of a river and lush green hills.
Group of volunteers walking through a dirt path in a rural area, wearing black T-shirts with 'The Culture Connection Project' logo, engaging with local children.
A young man with a backpack and a cap waving at a street vendor making flatbread over an outdoor stove, with a woman nearby observing.
Group of diverse people posing together in front of colorful mural art, some holding books, wearing casual clothing and smiling.
A woman with dreadlocks sitting on a ledge, surrounded by three young boys in colorful t-shirts, as one hand holds a box of supplies and the other holds a toy. Other children stand nearby against a yellow wall with open windows.
Group of people standing in front of a colorful bus with a lion image and the banner 'The Culture Connection Project,' outdoors on a dirt ground with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.
Two women walking hand-in-hand down a dirt path surrounded by lush banana trees, with mountains in the background and a partly cloudy sky.

Student Safety Is Our Top Priority

With 13 years of experience and zero safety incidents, The Culture Connection Project provides a well-supported and secure environment. Students are accompanied at all times, accommodations are vetted and staffed, and all travel is coordinated by experienced in-country teams.

A group of people walking through a village street with dirt paths and simple structures. A man wearing a white shirt and gray pants holds the hand of a child in a pink shirt. Another person with long braids walks alongside them. Other villagers, including children, are present in the background.

WATCH THE EXPERIENCE

See what the journey’s like with footage from our 2023 Uganda Trip.

Our values

A classroom with students sitting at wooden desks. Two adults stand at the front, smiling and interacting with the students. The classroom walls are decorated with educational posters and charts.
A group of people smiling and posing together on a terrace at night, with a cityscape in the background. Some are wearing "The Culture Connection Project" T-shirts.
Two men standing beside a painted memorial sign with cultural artwork and red cloth, amidst trees and dry leaves.

We are all teachers,
We are all students.

All of programs are designed to be exchanges that promote equality and understanding of one another. Everyone who participates in our programs plays both role of student and teacher.

Diversity is a strength,
Not a weakness.

Our aim is never to change the values, cultures, or other belief structures of anybody involved in our program. While we want to build relationships, we also want to maintain diversity.

Aim to understand,
Not to judge.

We aim to listen, learn, and are thoughtful in our approach. We try to look beyond surface explanations and instead find a more profound understanding.

FOR STUDENTS

  • 100% of participants report the trip to be “life changing”

  • In-depth education of Uganda’s history, current politics, and grassroots efforts

  • Hands-on experience with real grass-root efforts in the heart of Uganda

  • Personal growth and appreciation through purpose

  • Memories, stories, relationships that last a lifetime

Man in cap distributing food to a group of seated children in a blue-walled room.

Designed to create value, for those who join and those we meet.

FOR UGANDAN PARTNERS

  • Over $200,000 raised for Ugandans as of 2025.

  • Donations for Ugandan Partners are included within trip payment

  • Ongoing, year-round, support and fundraisers

  • Global awareness for local causes

  • Sustainable collaboration, not charity

What our community is saying

  • A smiling man with dark skin wearing a black baseball cap with a white logo and a black t-shirt, with an arm around him, in an indoor setting.

    "The CCP saved our orphanage during COVID by raising money for the food to feed our children and the community."

    - Series Denis
    Founder, Home of Hope
    CCP Ugandan Partner

  • A young woman smiling and wearing a black T-shirt that reads 'The Culture Connection Project' stands outdoors in a busy, rural marketplace with people, a bus, and makeshift shops in the background.

    “I’ve never grown so much in such a short span of time.”

    - Jeanette Gonzalez
    2022 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A woman wearing a black t-shirt that reads 'The Culture Connection Project' interacts with a young girl in a red checkered dress as other children look on in a rural outdoor setting with banana trees in the background.

    "This is an experience you can't get anywhere else. It's once in a lifetime. It's something special."

    - Alayssia Townsell
    2023 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A woman with curly brown hair, wearing sunglasses on her head, standing in front of a colorful bulletin board in an indoor setting.

    "I've never felt more included by strangers, more reflective of my personal opinions, or more engaged to discuss cultural views openly."

    - Sara Mosadegh
    2018 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A woman smiling and wearing a patterned orange and brown shirt, holding a white baseball cap with a logo on it, in front of a blue background.

    "The CCP is more than just a partner. They're family. They've been supporting us for years and we love them!"

    - Grace Nakimera
    Founder, Feed The Streets
    CCP Ugandan Partner

  • A smiling man wearing a black baseball cap and a blue T-shirt, sitting outdoors with greenery and colorful fabric in the background.

    “I’ve never felt more welcome, challenged, appreciated, and connected all at once.”

    - Curran Robinette
    2018 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A smiling man with glasses, a beard, and dark hair wearing a head-mounted action camera, holding a smartphone outdoors in a bustling marketplace during daylight.

    "There is no shortage of wisdom and appreciation on this trip."

    - Tyler Hobbs
    2023 Uganda Trip Participant

  • Young man wearing a black t-shirt with white text, khaki shorts with graffiti-style writing, and a helmet with a scarf, standing outdoors among banana trees. There are other people in the background.

    "The greatest trip I've taken so far in my 24 years of life!"

    - Taijai Slaughter
    2022 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A man wearing a gray baseball cap and a black t-shirt with colorful abstract art design, speaking or gesturing with his hand.

    "We receive so much support from The CCP - from donations to purchases to spreading our mission. We're so thankful."

    - Ssekitto Emmanuel
    Founder, Faces Up Uganda
    The CCP Uganda Partner

  • A woman with brown hair tied in a bun holding a young African girl with short hair, in a crowded, smoky indoor setting.

    "I'm definitely coming back. Yes, I'll be back."

    - Sydnie Hudson
    2023 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A woman is getting her hair styled, with a person pulling a small section of her hair upward. The woman is smiling slightly and wearing earrings, a beaded necklace, and a black top with intricate patterns. There is a small sticker of a dog on her forehead.

    "This experience ran so deep. It was absolutely life chnaging for me and I loved every second of it."

    - Jasmin Jiwani
    2022 Uganda Trip Participant

  • A man with a beard and glasses wearing a black t-shirt and a white baseball cap with the letter 'C' on it, sitting outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background.

    "I've been to Africa 5 times. This was, by far, the most impactful and touching experience - not just of those 5 times - but of my life."

    - Sidney Fumbanks
    2022 Uganda Trip Participant

In their own words

Hear directly from past participants about how this journey changed the way they see the world—and themselves.

Group of people walking towards a building labeled "library" with a mountainous landscape in the background.

LETS BUILD TOGETHER >

LETS BUILD TOGETHER >

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