Program

Summer 2020 Program Description

Courses

The program offers two courses for a cumulative six Washington University credits. Students take a Swahili course and an additional interdisciplinary course in culture and history for three more credits.

A broad range of academic issues relevant to understanding Kenyan society are addressed during interactive sessions with distinguished Kenyan scholars and professionals. The program complements classroom instruction with extensive field study that allows students to appreciate the linguistic and cultural expressions of Kenya society.

Eligibility

The program is intended to meet the needs of students from all universities and at different stages in their studies. There are no prerequisites although students with no background in the study of Africa will be provided with a suggested reading list before embarking on the program. This program, while certainly well suited for students headed for or majoring in humanities or social sciences should also accommodate those students whose major requirements do not allow them to be absent from campus for a full semester or academic year (particularly students from pre-professional and natural science disciplines).

Program Locations

The program will be based in Nairobi and other regions that distinctively exhibit the unique combination of history, rich heritage, and contemporary lifestyle. Each program location is intended to provide a fascinating and truly memorable academic experience. Program locations may be added or changed depending on prevailing conditions.

Nairobi

The cosmopolitan Kenyan capital has a lot to offer students from all disciplines. University professors, politicians, activists, and journalists are invited to discuss a wide range of topics relevant to understanding contemporary Kenya. Visits to downtown Nairobi, universities, National Museum of Kenya, city public schools, and other places of interest offer an adequate orientation to the study of Kenyan society. Urban homestays, visit to United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) headquarters, and volunteering opportunities provide an enriching experience.

The United States International University is currently being considered as a partner with our program. That would allow program participants to interact with a very diverse student population, drawn from many African countries, and studying in one of the premier universities in the region.

Great Rift Valley

The Great Rift Valley covers 8,700 Kms. (5,400 miles) running from the Middle East through Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and finally reaching the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. The Kenyan section of this breathtaking natural feature, consists of numerous escarpments, deep gorges, hot springs, and an extraordinary variety of flora and fauna that offer a unique appreciation of the relation between humankind, nature and the environment. This richly endowed setting is ideal for the study of earth science, wildlife conservation, colonial history, and varied aspects of Kenyan society. Field excursions include visits to a Maasai village, field lectures at a pre-historic site, Lake Naivasha, hiking Mt. Longonot, and a safari to Lake Nakuru National Park.

Program Cost

Program Date

Past Programs