Kenya: Climate Change, Conservation and Environmental Justice

***For Summer 2024 - Students who apply by the program deadline AND participate in the program, will automatically receive a $250 grant during the term of travel.***

Overview

The Kenya program will use an environmental justice framing to understand the intertwined challenges of climate change and conservation confronting rural communities. In communities spanning the eastern agro-climatic gradient of Mt Kenya, students will engage with local and grassroots organizations to evaluate progress and continued challenges in building climate resilient livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems, from the farm plot to the wider landscape. In Kenya’s Rift Valley, students will learn from innovators of a model of community-based adaptation that seeks to maintain open landscapes for wildlife habitat while addressing historical environmental injustices that have plagued Kenya’s colonial and post-colonial history. The program offers immersive cultural experiences and engagement in community-based research in collaboration with local nongovernmental organizations.

Recorded Information Session

Highlights and Excursions

• Work with local grassroots organizations to evaluate progress in building climate resilient livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems
• Visit a sacred forest and learn from elders' experiences of forest recovery
• Learn from innovators of a model of community-based adaptation that seeks to maintain open landscapes for wildlife habitat while addressing historical environmental injustices
• Immerse yourself in cultural experiences, engage in community-based research, and collaborate with local NGOs
• Go on a game drive in one of Africa’s most famous wildlife refuges
• Deepen your understanding of the interrelated challenges of climate change and conservation through an environmental justice lens

Good to Know

• Group meals will be provided in program cost and will feature local produce. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
• Participants will be highly engaged in physical activities throughout the program, including required hiking.
• Expect cool temperatures (50-70 F) around Nairobi, Mt Kenya, and the Rift Valley.

Living Arrangements

Students will stay in guest lodges in Tigoni, Meru, Tharaka, and Nanyuki. Wifi is available at lodges and cellular data is available throughout the country.

Program Dates

June 5-June 22, 2024

Academics

Students can earn 3 undergraduate credits from the following course options:

• GEOG 2400: Environmental Geography
  • BRICKS: Arches (Interconnected World)
  • Major Requirement: All Global Studies
  • Major Elective: BS Environmental Geography; BA/BS Geography
• GEOG 3310: Geography of Africa
  • BRICKS: Bridge (Speaking and Learning)
  • Major Requirement: Regional Geography for Geography Majors
  • Major Elective: Global Studies
• GEOG 3430: Global Issues in Environment
  • Major Requirement: BS Environmental Geography, BS Environmental Pre-Law
  • Major Elective: Global Studies, Environmental Science and Sustainability, BA Geography 

Cost

The program fee for this program includes: Student accommodations, meals, excursions, park fees, transportation to all program related activities, and international health insurance.

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for 3 credit hours of undergraduate tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Kenya Summer 2024 Student Budget Worksheet 

Items that are not related to the program (ie. additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

***For Summer 2024 - Students who apply by the program deadline AND participate in the program, will automatically receive a $250 grant during the term of travel.***

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Selection Process

Open to all majors and Geography levels.

Applicants are required to submit: 

• CV/Resume
• A one-page personal statement of interest in the program
• 2 letters of recommendation from academic references. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy.

This program accepts NON-OHIO students. For more information about this process visit the Non-OHIO student page.

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Entry and Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States.  If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport now.  

Some countries also require a visa to legally enter and reside in the country.   Please review the entry and exit requirements for your destination(s). US citizens will not need a visa or other special documents to enter the country for the length of this program. (Please note: If you plan to travel before or after the program, you may need a visa). You may need to show sufficient funds to support yourself while in-country.  

Note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program.  Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Visa Information

Information for NON-US citizens 

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations