Dushku, 28, visited Uganda recently to meet former child soldiers who are trying to reintegrate themselves into society.

The actress' mother, Judith, is a political science professor who specializes in African politics. She arranged the trip for her students with Global Exchange, an organization based in San Francisco.

"You learn so much that you would never be able to read in a book ... meeting people and hearing stories firsthand," Dushku said.

Her Uganda experience taught her that children who serve as soldiers return traumatized and stigmatized, and made her look at the world differently.

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"I can't bear to hear people say that they're bored in this day and age," said Dushku, suggesting that people invest time in learning about those in need.

Thanks to the actress' mother chaperoning student trips and to Global Exchange, Dushku said she has traveled to more than 30 countries and 48 of the 50 US states. The only two she has not been to yet are Alaska and Louisiana.

She next plans to visit Cuba, Vietnam and more of Central and South America. ASSOCIATED PRESS