Kenya: Learning from the Refugee Experience in East Africa

 Dr. Michael Conteh
Dr. Michael ContehInstructor
 Dr. Paul O'Keefe
Dr. Paul O'KeefeInstructor

This study abroad program will introduce students to the geo-political, environmental and structural conditions that have contributed to migration and forced displacement in East Africa and the massive expansion of the African refugee population in Kenya. The program will begin in Nairobi where students will be introduced to the regional history and current geo-political conditions that have contributed to Kenya becoming the site of several of the largest refugee camps in the world. The Nairobi phase of the trip will also include visits to game parks and cultural sites in the city. The second phase of the program will take place in the Kakuma refugee camp in Northwest Kenya where we will partner with the OSUN HUBS Connected Learning Initiative as well as Elimisha Kakuma, a refugee founded and led bridging program in the camp with connections to Virginia Tech. In Kakuma, students will interact directly with refugee students as participants in a service-learning program to understand their experience in the camp and conduct a community mapping project in tandem with refugee students.

Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Location
Kakuma, Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya

Program Dates

May 28, 2024 – Jun 14, 2024

Who Can Participate

  • Rutgers undergraduate students who are:
    • Sophomores
    • Juniors
    • Seniors
  • Minimum GPA: 2.5
    • In good academic standing

Program Costs

TBA

Out-of-Pocket Costs

TBA

Travel and Visa Information:

Passport: All program participants are required to have a valid passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the program end date.

Visa: All visitors must obtain an eVisa before departing for Kenya. Once you receive your visa via email, you must print it out and bring the printout with you to present to authorities at the border. Apply for a Kenyan eVisa here.

Pre-Departure Resources:

US State Department

Center for Disease Control