Navigating Nairobi_A Journey from Multinational Firms to Community-Driven Enterprises

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Navigating Nairobi: A Journey from Multinational Firms to Community-Driven Enterprises

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Navigating Nairobi

May 14, 2025

We kicked off Day 3 with an early morning visit to Ernst & Young (EY), one of the world’s largest professional services firms, known for its work in audit, consulting, tax, and strategy. From the moment we arrived, the EY team made us feel incredibly welcome and ensured the experience was both informative and engaging. The visit was thoughtfully structured, with a detailed agenda that included presentations from key employees across various departments. These sessions provided valuable insights into EY’s operations and culture and allowed us to ask relevant questions. We had the opportunity to break into smaller groups, allowing for more personal conversations and in-depth questions. As a first-time partner on the Kenya Immersion Trip, EY exceeded expectations in both hospitality and content. We sincerely hope this marks the beginning of a lasting collaboration for future trips.

Our next stop was the Fleischer Foundation, a local organization in Kenya dedicated to providing educational support and mentorship opportunities for high-achieving students from underserved communities. During our visit, we had the opportunity to engage directly with students, beginning with a workshop on public speaking strategies aimed at helping them build confidence for both academic and professional settings.

We also bonded over discussions about our favorite books, sharing personal reflections, and finding common ground through stories. To conclude the visit, we joined the students in a spirited game of fútbol (soccer), which turned out to be both competitive and incredibly fun. It was a powerful reminder that connection can happen through both conversation and play, and it left a lasting impression on all of us.

In the afternoon, we visited Buttons and Bows, a vibrant Kenyan textile shop and tailoring studio known for its celebration of traditional African fabrics and commitment to empowering local artisans. Each of us had the chance to choose from many bold, authentic prints that will be handcrafted into custom aprons, both for ourselves and our loved ones back home. It was a fun and meaningful way to engage with Kenyan fashion culture and bring back a piece of Kenya home to the United States.

We ended the evening with a rooftop dinner at Unseen Nairobi, a rooftop restaurant with stunning views of the city of Nairobi. Over delicious food and plenty of laughter, we took time to reflect on the experiences of the day, from our visit to EY, to connecting with students at the Fleischer Foundation, to the creativity at Buttons and Bows.

Today was a powerful reminder of how multifaceted learning can be, from corporate insights and community engagement to cultural immersion and joyful moments of connection. As the sun set over Nairobi, it became clear that each of these experiences is shaping not only our understanding of global business but also our sense of purpose and perspective.

By Amelia Bonacci

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