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Location: Egerton University - Njoro, Kenya
Dates: January 2012 (exact dates TBD)
Courses: Hum Srvs 325, 375, 420, Srvc Crs 421, Ed Leadership 719
Accommodation: ARC conference center on campus
Program Model: Faculty-led
Contact: Dr. Alfred Kisubi, Nursing Education 509, 424-7236
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Join a group of UW Oshkosh students and faculty leader Dr. Alfred Kisubi
as you come to learn about and appreciate a wide range of
natural resource, environmental, economic, health, educational, and cultural issues
in the East African Rift Valley area of Central Kenya.
Study areas may include topics such as Kenyan history and culture; current economic, social and political issues in Kenya; regional development and the impact of globalization on Kenya; ethnic and sociological issues in contemporary Kenyan society; issues in sustainable natural resource and environmental management; the African Union; development through local government, faith-based or other Non-Government Organizations; agriculture and the environment; issues in primary and alternative health care; education and human services in Kenya; and introductory Swahili Language. In the Diocese of Nakuru, faculty and students will have a hands-on experience (practicum) in various programs, such as working with street children, peer counseling, grade and high school teaching, medical clinics or health center nursing and human services work.
Egerton University is located in a scenic setting between Lake Nakuru and the volcanic Menengai caldera. You will study at Egerton University's main campus at Njoro, located on the Mau Escarpment of the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, part of the Kenya Highlands approximately 6,600 feet above sea level. Njoro campus is 27 kilometers from Nakuru Town. Lake Nakuru is a world-famous bird sanctuary, with over a million flamingoes and other species. Currently, the University has over 8,000 students and about 600 academic staff.
Safety in Kenya (current as of Sept 16, 2011)
The US Department of State has issued a travel warning for the country in which you wish to study. Most U.S. universities do not allow their students to travel on organized group programs to countries with a State Department travel warning in place; most also do not allow individuals to use financial aid when studying in such a country, even on their own.
U.S. State Department Travel Warning - Kenya
U.S. State Department Country-specific Information - Kenya
In addition to the US State Department travel warning and country-specific information, you should read ALL THREE of the following advisories BEFORE making your decision to travel to Kenya.
Canadian Advisory
Canadians are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in the country.
Australian Advisory
Australia has five levels of travel warning at both the state and the local level. Levels include 1) be alert to own security, 2) exercise caution, 3) high degree of caution, 4) reconsider your need to travel and 5) do not travel. Kenya is listed at level three. Within Kenya, Australia lists the border regions with Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia at level 5 and some suburbs of Nairobi at level 4.
U.K. Advisory
For more information, see the advisory linked above.
UW Oshkosh Health & Safety Precautions
The UW Oshkosh program in Kenya will not spend significant time in Nairobi. The group will travel to/from the Nairobi airport, will spend a few hours on the final day at a secure shopping center in Nairobi prior to arrival at the airport and, depending on the flight itinerary, may spend the night in a hotel near the airport in Nairobi on the first night and/or final night to avoid travel to Njoro in the dark. The group will be visiting the following locations: Nakuru, Njoro, and Kericho. Armed attacks (especially attacks on occupants of vehicles) and other crimes are prevalent in Kenya and especially in Nairobi and while traveling on the roads. All applicants must understand the risks involved in traveling to Kenya and must understand the personal safety precautions which each individual will be expected to exercise. Risks and safety precautions are outlined in the travel advisories above. Attendance at the OIE family orientation is mandatory and all students are encouraged to research news articles related to safety issues in Kenya. A good source for these articles is OSAC.
To this end, UW Oshkosh will
- restrict travel within Kenya to areas which the U.S., U.K., Canadian and Australian travel advisories do not advise against, including Nairobi (except if travel from/to the airport is after dark, in which case the group will spend the night in a hotel near the airport but avoid Kibera, Mathare, Kasirani, and Eastleigh neighbourhoods);
- restrict travel after dusk/before dawn by vehicle or by foot; all travel must be done during daylight hours; all vehicle windows must be up (regardless of weather or temperature) and vehicle doors securely locked;
- transport participants using university vehicles with drivers chosen by the university or work with reputable transportation vendors with proven safety records;
- prohibit use of any type of public transportation, especially matatus;
- prohibit currency exchange in the public areas of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and recommend that participants not pack any valuables in checked luggage;
- ensure that accommodations have good perimeter security;
- restrict individual travel within Kenya by group members. All individual travel must be approved in advance by the faculty leader and the Provost;
- prohibit participants from exiting safari vehicles unless it is deemed safe by professional guides or wardens;
- require all participants to attend an orientation specific to travel in Kenya. Students must understand the risks involved in traveling to Kenya and must understand the personal safety precautions which each individual will be expected to exercise when traveling with the group; and
- Require all participants to enroll in the U.S. DOS STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
In addition, no volunteer work is allowed without a work permit in Kenya.
Photo Album
Movie
Program Application & Guide |
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