Bringing Kenya to the Iditarod: AIC’s role in an inspiring connection
Two of Brad's pen pal in Kenya students hold up a handmade sign representing the Iditarod Trail in Alaska.
Story by Morrow Duszynski
In 2023, Brad Schmitz, founder of ºÚÁÏÉçappEnglish Adventures (AEA), entered the UAF Arctic Innovation Competition (AIC) with a vision: to expand his educational tourism business and connect people worldwide through immersive English learning experiences in Alaska. Making it to the Semifinals in the competition’s Main Division reinforced his belief in his mission, shaping the future of his company.
AEA derived from his experience as an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher in South Korea and his connection to the breathtaking landscapes and cultural experiences of Alaska. In 2020, he began connecting Alaskan students with international classrooms, fostering cross-cultural friendships through a pen pal program.
The Impact of AIC 2023
Applying for AIC was an eye-opening experience for Schmitz. The process of developing a detailed business plan and articulating his vision helped him refine his goals.
"Going through the application process makes you really think out your plan of action, objectives, and business strategy," Schmitz said.
While he didn’t take home the top prize, he credits AIC with pushing him to take a new approach to marketing. One particularly valuable takeaway was the idea of using testimonial videos—an inspiration that emerged from the competition’s Fan Favorite video submission.
"I reached out to my pen pal partners and asked them to make short testimonial videos for AEA," he explained. "Those videos have become an incredibly powerful asset that goes far beyond what any prize money could have done for my business."
Brad Schmitz kneels to the left for a photo with the Kenya Ice Lions, a Kenyan hockey team.
Brad Schmitz, right, smiles with a hockey player on the Kenya Ice Lions team after a game.
A Kenyan-Alaskan Connection
The finished project: Kenya's first dog sled built by Brad Schmitz' pen pal students.
Post AIC 2023, Schmitz has been working on an educational initiative through a partnership with the Shiba Education Center in Kenya. The students at Shiba Education Center became particularly fascinated with Alaska, leading to an ambitious goal: bringing them to the Iditarod.
Schmitz launched a fundraising campaign, selling posters and handmade bracelets, and garnered widespread community support. Local businesses, hotels, and individuals in Anchorage offered in-kind donations, including accommodations and winter gear. Though visa and funding challenges prevented the trip in 2024, Schmitz remains committed to making it happen.
His work has also caught the attention of the Iditarod community. Dallas Seavey, a champion musher, personally received letters from the Kenyan students and even attempted to locate their school on Google Maps. Schmitz gave competitors in the Iditarod handmade bracelets from the students to wear on the journey to Nome.
Brad Schmitz shows off the Pen Pal Project outline at the Iditarod starting line in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Kenya Pen Pals at the Shiba Education Center hard aw work putting together Kenya's first dog sled, inspired by Alaskan dog mushing and the Iditarod.
Anna Berrington, a musher in the Iditarod shows off a custom beaded bracelet made by the Kenya pen pals.
Iditarod musher Dane Baker holds up his beaded bracelet from the Kenya pen pals before the starting the race.
What’s Next?
Since AIC 2023, Schmitz has continued to grow his business. He now operates from a co-working space in Anchorage, giving his company a dedicated hub for operations. He’s also refined AEA’s offerings and strengthened its marketing efforts. With new projects on the map, including expanding the pen pal program and establishing an online platform for global educational exchanges, Schmitz’s journey exemplifies the power of innovation and perseverance.
Reflecting on his experience with AIC, Schmitz says, "Would I have loved to win $15,000? Of course. But the value of what I gained from the competition—clarity, inspiration, and new marketing strategies—was priceless."
For more information on ºÚÁÏÉçappEnglish Adventures, visit. To support the Kenyan students’ journey to Alaska, visit.