MSU student climbs Mount Kilimanjaro while on education abroad in Tanzania

Courage over convenience. Those are the words that environmental engineering sophomore Lily Connor lives by.

This summer, Connor traveled to Tanzania with the Designing Technology Solutions in Africa education abroad program to teach local schoolchildren how to code and use computers. While she was there, she had an urge she could not shake. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity she knew she didn’t want to pass up: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. 

“I felt like the mountain kind of had a power,” Connor said. “I felt like it was calling my name.”

Connor grew up in what she described as an “outdoorsy family,” where adventure was always on the menu. She loves hiking and said she was raised to love spending time in nature, adding that she and her sister were both named after flowers. 

When program coordinator Jennifer Olson heard about Connor’s desire, she contacted a Kilimanjaro tour guide she knew so Connor could get the most out of her climb while also ensuring her safety. Despite Connor’s ambition and passion, Olson wasn’t totally sure if Connor would take on the challenge.  

“I didn’t think she would really climb the mountain because it’s so scary,” Olson said. “She surprised us when she told us that she had made up her mind. We’re all very proud of her.”

Connor extended her stay in Tanzania and began her climb on June 6, eyes straight ahead and looking up. Connor did not know anybody else in her group and had to navigate language barriers to communicate. True to her motto, it was not the most convenient option, and it required courage. 

As the tallest mountain in Africa and the fourth tallest in the world, Kilimanjaro’s summit is over 19,000 feet high. Connor said that it took seven days to reach the top, spending between three to over six hours climbing each day. 

“We could have done it in five days, but it is important for your body to adjust to the altitude,” Connor said. “The extra days definitely helped.”

Connor prepared herself physically for the climb by running every day, sometimes being joined by local children and baboons, with the latter, Connor said, making her run faster. She has been working towards her dream of someday running a marathon, so stamina and energy were not an issue for her. To mentally prepare, Connor focused on the excitement and reminded herself that great things lie in the unknown. 

“The magic happens when you leap out of your comfort zone,” Connor said. 

A journey that started in shorts ended in snow pants. The base of Kilimanjaro is a hot, humid jungle that only gets colder as climbers go higher, eventually plunging into the negatives. Connor said that she would be met with a block of ice when she tried to take sips of her water. 

When Connor finally reached Kilimanjaro’s peak, she said that she felt minuscule yet infinite at the same time. Living up to its nickname as the roof of Africa, Connor stood above the clouds, looking down at the snow-covered mountain tops below her.

“I had to pinch myself to prove that it was real life,” Connor said.

Olson said that taking further advantage of what’s available to students beyond what is offered in an education abroad program can make the experience more fun but can also help them deepen their knowledge of the area they’re staying in. They can even make connections with the locals like Connor was able to. “Because Lily was all around town, the people were able to learn about her,” Olson said.

Program director Erik Goodman said that Connor’s familiarity with her surroundings and the people in the communities she stayed in throughout the program played a big role in preparing her for the climb. 

“The (local) children had a good time joining her on her runs and talking with her, which she enjoyed thoroughly,” Goodman said. “That contributed a lot to her confidence and helped her to feel like she could go off on her own.”

Connor’s advice to anyone with the same thirst for adventure? Just go for it. Fear is temporary, but regret lasts a lifetime. 

“Say yes to any opportunities — you won’t be disappointed,” Connor said.

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