Kenya
| Intercultural Competence & Service Learning |
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Program Outline
The program intent is to provide unparalleled cultural immersion and leadership development, while building new skills, giving back to communities, and forming long-lasting friendships.
Students will gain insights into the challenges locals face throughout Kenya and collaborate alongside their peers and local communities to help support and implement sustainable service projects.
As they combine culture and meaningful service throughout their journey, students will celebrate tribal customs of the Maasai people, learning about their history and heritage.
They will be surrounded by the wild expanse of the Savannah and in the warm company of Maasai community members who are eager to share their stories. Students will become part of the community and learn what it’s like to live in Kenya as they interact with their Kenyan peers and visit local families.
Students will also go on excursions to must-see spots and have the adventure of a lifetime exploring Kenya!
Why Kenya?
We believe that the best experiences are co-created, facilitated and curated with a local. Our president was born and raised in Kenya! We wanted to share her unique experience.
Located in East Africa, Kenya is ethnically diverse boasting numerous cultures, varied and striking landscapes, and the mecca of wildlife, famous for the big 5 – The Lion, Leopard, Rhinoceros, Elephant, and African Buffalo.
Comprising a variety of tribes, East Africans as a whole are known to be some of the friendliest people in the world, warmly welcoming visitors and immediately accepting them into their lives. Adding to the country’s ethnic diversity are Europeans and Asian immigrants from many nations.
Getaway Growth’s East Africa program takes students on a 2 week adventure, where they have the privilege to embrace the traditional Maasai culture in Kenya, receive a behind-the-scenes look at conserving Kenya’s wildlife and coastal ecosystems, collaborate with local youth, build relationships, and sample the flavors of the local fusion of cultural cuisine.
Meet Our 2023 Cohort
A short introduction to your team members and why their background should inspire potential clients’ confidence.
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Highlights from 2023
Testimonials
"One main thing I learned from Kenya is that acting on climate change and to help it - you don’t need a lot of money to make a change and make a difference. There are easier alternatives and Kenya has been doing such a good job being eco-friendly. After visiting Watamu Beach at A Rocha Kenya- it made me realize that it doesn’t have to be expensive to help save the environment. If I ever become a politician I am definitely going to keep everything I learned in mind."
Devanshi 
"Four things I learned from participating in Getaway Growth's Summer 2022 Program:
I learned that being myself is the best way to approach life.
I learned to appreciate other cultures, and to asks questions by being curious in order to form relationships.
I learned that how my small actions affect the environment on a day to day basis.
It was so nice to see that people who really didn't know each other could love, care, and support one another in such an immense way... I was really touched by this."
Grace 
"I was very inspired by the young Kenyan entrepreneurs that shared their social enterprises and their stories because that in itself was a story of resilience, a story of community building. If I can’t be inspired by that, then I don’t know how else I will be because it is truly amazing that people can make a change. Change can happen where you are, and what you have is enough. I want to apply that in that my daily life and in my mission to create a more sustainable environment. Just knowing, being validated and affirmed that everything that we need is here."
Sean 
"Two things I learned from participating in Getaway Growth's Summer 2022 Program:
I can form great relationships with people regardless of their background, culture, and every other thing that makes me different from them.
I must first understand my culture before understanding that of others."
Adriana 
"The best aspect of the program was getting a non-touristy Kenyan experience. For instance, seeing the Maasai village, getting to interact with the women and children there, and experiencing their culture and life firsthand. Also, the safari drive was amazing, seeing non-caged animals in the zoo (rather, in the wild/their natural habitat) And, also making Kenyan friends!!! Just literally meeting everyone there!"
Avey 
"The workshops had taught me so much. Hearing the opinions and thoughts from my peers was also so insightful. I learned what it meant to be ethical in participating in service learning and working with the environment. I learned what intercultural competence is and how our participation in this program is connected to that. I learned more about my responsibility as a human being, student, environmental steward, traveler/tourist, and as a service learner and the importance of it."
Vivianna 
"Being part of Getaway Growth further impacted me in what I want to do in my future and career goals. Even being able to just start small and giving back to my own community in Mexico. Not even just Mexico but other communities where I belong to- The trip really empowered me to want to give back even during my college, the clubs that I am involved in at school, and other non-profit organizations. While I know that in my own future I want to get into law, I know that part of my life will revolve around giving back to community since I was also shown that growing up. However, being part of Getaway Growth really showed me how I am able to achieve that!"
Michelle 
"The best aspect of the program was all of it really, but what I enjoyed the most was sitting down and listening to other people's perspectives and getting to know and understand them on a deeper level. "
Brita 
"I learned about different cultures and how to give back to the environment."
Leo 
"One preconceived notion regarding the program was that students from abroad would be different from us, but it turned out they were just like us, the Kenyan students. I also learned that the world has a lot to offer. Let's explore and learn from it."
Tabitha 
"By participating in the program I learned a lot about other cultures, traditions, and what service learning truly means. I learned about intercultural competence, about restoration, and I got to meet the Maasai tribe. Not only that but I learned about environmental issues, about Karen Blixen, and history of Mombasa. Although it was only two weeks I’ve broaden my knowledge on various topics that will stick with me forever."
Heidi 
"One pre-conceived notion regarding the program was that, I had thought I knew my own culture. There is more to culture than what meets the eye."
Kagema 
“Getaway Growth is one of the best groups I interacted with and one of the things I noticed is that they were not biased selecting those that come with you to the trip. I liked how there were friendships made out of the trip among yourselves and the fact that they were all open to learning something new each second, if possible.
I personally was touched by the way they are creating a community of travel with a sense of letting their team learn about cultures, nature and even having them enjoy the moment with the people they meet. Which made me want to join them for the next trip.
God bless them with more supporters and keep on doing a great job of creating a learning platform for all the youths who join.”
Millie 
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