Kenya is a country in East Africa; it is bisected by the Equator and is home to savannah, lake-lands, the dramatic Rift Valley, mountain highlands, and a coastline on the Indian Ocean. It is famed for its scenic landscapes and vast wildlife preserves, but its human history is just as remarkable as its natural heritage.

Kenya has been an independent nation-state for just over half a century, but its diverse human history dates back many years, from the earliest hominids who lived millions of years ago, to the Nilotic and Bantu migrations and the settlement of Arab traders on the coast in the first century AD. One of the country’s two official languages, Kiswahili, has both Bantu and Arabic origins that demonstrate this history, while the second, English, is evocative of its colonial past. The country is home to one of the fastest growing economies in Africa and relies heavily on tourism. It is Africa’s original safari destination and shares the world-famous great Wildebeest migration with its neighbor, Tanzania.

Intercultural Competence is a critical global skill. This program provides a basic framework to help students develop the nuance and understanding needed for real-world interactions with people of different cultures, ethnicities, languages, and worldviews. Students will investigate the meaning of culture and reflect on the points of divergence and convergence of different cultures. They will participate in a number of immersive activities designed to expand their knowledge of Kenyan cultures and histories. In addition, they will engage in a practical project with local partners.

Although learnings are contextually situated within the context of Kenya, the program provides an overview of general components of intercultural competence that may be applied in any intercultural situation. Guided by EDU Africa’s five transformation goals, this program is designed to encourage students towards holistic growth.