February 3, 2026
Kalefah Sirleaf '27 spent the fall 2025 semester abroad in Cambridge, England, having the opportunity to debate at the renowned Cambridge Union on December 4.
Arriving in Cambridge, England, in the fall of 2025 through the Wake Forest INSTEP Program in connection with Hampden-Sydney's Office of Global Education, Kalefah was eager to fully immerse himself in a rigorous academic experience that combined learning from top scholars, personal growth, and the Hampden-Sydney spirit of thoughtful, civil debate. Bringing that energy from the Hill to England, he soon joined the prestigious Cambridge Union Society—becoming the first Hampden-Sydney student to debate at the Union, the world’s oldest continuously running debating society, founded in 1815. Known for hosting influential figures such as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, Stephen Hawking, and Bill Gates, the Cambridge Union gave him the chance to fully embrace the global experience he had long anticipated.
“I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina, but I also spent part of my childhood in Liberia, Belgium, and the Netherlands,” Kalefah says. “Last year, I attended the Hampden-Sydney Global Education Fair and realized it had been a while since I’d been abroad. I thought it would be amazing to experience England, study at Cambridge, learn from Cambridge professors, and connect with students. I also felt it would be a great place to explore politics and political economy, understand the economics of the European Union, and see how politics influences economic decisions, along with many other related topics.”
As an active member of the Student Senate, TigerFund, and Minority Student Union, and a Harrison Scholar and Hobbie Scholar, Kalefah values the importance of civil debate and conversation. While taking a variety of courses abroad—including Theory of Finance, Economic Development, Political Economy, and World Empires Before the 21st Century—he found himself in a highly academic environment filled with engaging conversations and welcoming peers. He often participated in friendly conversations and debates with Cambridge students, as well as with Landon May ’27, who was studying abroad at Pembroke College in Cambridge at the time.
That culture of discussion quickly spread beyond casual conversations and debates. Motivated by his interest in learning and debating, Kalefah auditioned for the final Cambridge Union Society debate of the year, which centered on American politics and the question of whether the Republican Party has irretrievably lost its way. After competing against fellow Cambridge University students, he secured a spot on the three-person debate team arguing that the party has indeed lost its way—an accomplishment that underscores his strong debating abilities.
“I was thinking, as an American, I'd love to provide my input and perspective of that notion,” Kalefah says. “I felt confident in my ability to speak on the topic and support my arguments.”
Preparing for the debate—which allotted 10 minutes per debater—Kalefah spent several days crafting his speech and sought guidance from friends at Queens’ College who had previously debated at the Union. As he refined his argument, he approached the topic from a historical perspective, drawing on the voices, figures, and viewpoints within the Republican Party to persuade the audience in favor of the notion.
“From an academic perspective—especially at Hampden-Sydney—we’re taught to fully support and back up our work,” Kalefah says. “Since I was going to debate this topic at the Cambridge Union, one of the most prestigious venues to debate at, I wanted to ground my argument in the statements and viewpoints of people within the party itself to strengthen my case.”
At Cambridge Union debates, audience members vote by physically walking through doors labeled ‘ayes’ in support of the notion, 'noes’ in opposition, or choosing to abstain. Kalefah, alongside the two other Cambridge students, delivered strong arguments, and in the end, their team won the notion.
“It was incredible to debate at the Cambridge Union for the first time—and rewarding to win,” Kalefah says. “I debated against Kevin Roberts, the president of the Heritage Foundation, and after I mentioned I was from Hampden-Sydney, he noted the school’s great tradition. That moment made me appreciate Cambridge even more because of its own traditions, and it reminded me why I love Hampden-Sydney.”
Kalefah has demonstrated the spirit and skill of articulating his ideas clearly and effectively. Through a combination of on- and off-campus experiences, students like Kalefah are taking advantage of enriching opportunities that challenge their minds, expand their knowledge, and foster growth as scholars and leaders.
“I was constantly thinking and reflecting on how I was representing Hampden-Sydney,” Kalefah notes. “What I hope people take away is that our students are capable of tackling incredibly challenging experiences, stepping into uncomfortable situations, and performing at a high level—continuing and building off our tradition.”