The Daily Bulletin Archive

The first lecture in this semester’s “Artists on the Road: Travel as a Source of Inspiration” series kicks off tomorrow, September 28, when fine arts major Kendra Martin presents “Reimagining: Three Months in Mauritius” from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Science and Math Complex 170. This lecture is free and open to the public.

Ms. Martin worked with the African Leadership University in Mauritius on the student life team and the marketing and design team. She was responsible for planning and hosting student events as well as handling personal student issues. With the guidance of the marketing team, she was able to produce advertisement materials for the school. She also started and coached the school’s first basketball team. 

Hailing from Brooklyn, Ms. Martin said Mauritius was truly the most amazing experience she has ever had. She feels that every young adult should have the chance to travel before attending university. It was not an easy transition from student to teacher, but along the way it became a learning experience for all involved. She said, “The work I was doing in Africa gave me the tools I needed to develop both personally and professionally. It allowed me to ask questions, share my opinion, and feel it was valued by those around me. My time with the students gave me a chance to experience new cultures that I have only read about. Each individual student was a window allowing me an opportunity to learn more about the places they came from. Travel allows you to get out of your comfort zone. I like to credit my time in Mauritius for my newfound curiosity about the world. The three months I spent there gave me a chance to take a break from traditional learning while at the same time taught me invaluable world knowledge. I started to reimagine time and how I spent it. I want to make everything that I do, whether it is artistic or not, count, and that’s why I chose to pursue an education in fine arts.”

In addition to her studies at Buffalo State, Ms. Martin continues to serve as a peer mentor for the Institute for Collaborative Education at School 226, a youth artist volunteer at the Hetrick-Martin Institute, and a peer counselor at the Hispanic AIDS Forum Inc., all in New York City.

Ms. Martin’s sister has always been her biggest role model. She “pushed me to do my best, and I'm very grateful for her,” she said.