Trip Dates:
June 8th – August 4, 2014
Pre-Trip Meeting Dates (Mandatory)
TBD
Class Status
Junior or Above (Undergraduate) or Graduate
Open to S-CAR, Non-degree GMU Students and Non-GMU Students
Cost of the Trip
$5250 and includes tuition, lodging, travel insurance, and groundtransportation to and from the airport in Nairobi. Students will incur additional costs for airfare, meals (lodging will have kitchen facilities), vaccinations, Visa fees, and incidentals (including optional transportation).
Credits Assigned
Undergraduate: 6 credits (CONF 385 & CONF 399)
Graduate: 6 credits (CONF 694 or CONF 694/695)
Lodging
Students will stay in Nairobi in shared apartments. These apartments will have been arranged by the Amani Institute prior to the student’s arrival and students will be transported to their apartments directly from the airport. The apartments will be located in a generally safe and convenient location (as close as possible to where the bulk of the students’ time will be spent to avoid excessive time spent in traffic). They will be furnished with all the amenities, including Wi-Fi Internet access. And finally, the apartments will come with professional security services provided by the building owners.
Transportation Students will make travel arrangements to arrive in Kenya. The Amani Institute will arrange for complimentary airport pick-up. Students may utilize a range of public transportation options, typically consisting of approved taxis, and matatus (local mini-van buses). These options vary in terms of price, time taken, and security precautions necessary. Students will be provided a detailed list of the options, how they work, pros and cons of each, and insider knowledge of getting around Nairobi.
Meals
Students will provide their own meals. There will be standard modern cooking facilities in the apartments (at a minimum: stoves, oven, fridge, freezer, microwave, dishes and cutlery) and they will be provided with a list of nearby grocery stores (Nairobi supermarkets have nearly everything that is found in a standard American grocery store, and more!) as well as a list of recommended restaurants and cafes catering to different cuisines, both local and international.
Passports, Visas and Vaccinations
All students must have current passports, visas, and the required vaccinations to travel to Kenya. These costs are not covered in the cost of the trip, and may range $200 to $300 depending on prior out of country travel the student has experienced.
U.S. students should visit the Department of State website for information passport application information, prices, and time of delivery. International students should visit their home country embassy or passport websites for travel information.
The following steps from Diversity Abroad may also be helpful:
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months. If it has already expired, look up your county's embassy and find out the cost and timeline to renew the passport.
• Know all of the restrictions associated with your U.S. student visa. Does your visa allow you to enter and leave the U.S. freely? Will you still be 'enrolled' in your home institution if you go abroad?
• Check the visa requirements for students for your home country to get a student visa from the country you're going to study abroad in.
• Be sure to check with your study abroad advisor for further details.
Please visit the U.S State Department web page about the Country Specific Information:Kenya
Visas and some vaccinations (specifically for yellow fever) are required to enter Kenya. Please visit the Department of State website for specific information regarding visas and vaccinations.
Time Zone
Kenya is in the East African time zone. Remember that there is an 8 hour difference between Kenya time and Eastern Standard Time in the United States.
Travel Advisory
In light of the attacks in September on a Nariobi shopping mall, the United States Department of State has re-issued a travel warning for Kenya, which warns U.S citizens of the risks of travel to Kenya. U.S. citizens in Kenya, and those currently traveling to Kenya, should evaluate their personal security situation in light of the continuing and recenty heightened threats from terrorism and the high rate of violent crime in some areas. The levels of risk vary throughout the country.
For updates, please visit the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory website at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5859.html
Safety and Security
• All participants will be covered under the international travel insurance provided by T.W. Lord.
• All participants will be registered with the State Department's S.T.E.P. (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program).
• Embassy Contact Information:
Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya
Emergency Contact After Hours: (254) (20) 363 6000
Emergency Contact During Hours: (254) (20) 363 6451
Email: [email protected]
• All participants will be asked to abide by the Ethical Code of Conduct for Faculty and Students, and the Rights and Responsibilities of Participants in the Kenya service learning field experience course.
**The following is the itinerary for the Summer 2013 Kenya Service Learning Field Experience**
*This schedule is subject to change as additional developments occur
Time | Activity | Description |
Week 1 | Orientation in Nairobi | Get to know the city, the country, program objectives and the participants. The activities planned will include a Nairobi City Tour; talk with experts about Kenyan Culture and, activities to integrate the group. We will also provide the information to move around the city and about the courses and activities planned for the Program. |
Introduction to local partner organization | Introduction to their project organization and learning more about the specific project they will work on during their time in Nairobi, creating deliverables and objectives | |
"Swahili to Get Around": Introductory Class in Kiswahili | 3-hour class to learn the basics of Kiswahili. Students will then be able to take further classes at their own expense | |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Introduction to the course on social entrepreneurship | |
Week 2 | Consulting Project Work | Beginning work on the problem solving consulting project |
Reflective Practice | Beginning work on personal growth and students' inner journey as a professional peace builder and change maker | |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Problem Identification, Mission and Vision | |
Week 3 | Seminar: Kenya, Elections and violence | The seminar will be the primary activity of the week. It is an intensive mini-project within the larger program |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Market analysis and stakeholder research | |
Consulting Project Work | Continuing the process of facilitated consulting work to design a solution to the project brief | |
Week 4 | Visit to conflict resolution Project outside Nairobi | Special visit to a program or initiative working on issues of conflict. Could be inside or outside Nairobi and will be 1-3 days in length depending on location |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Strategy development | |
Consulting Project Work | Mid-term presentations to the partner organization on interim findings and conclusions on the consulting project | |
Reflective Practice | Mid-term assignments on students' personal growth and development | |
Week 5 | Workshop: Working with Youth in Conflict | Special skill-building workshop on the dynamics and best practices of involving young people in the peaceful resolution of conflict and building of society |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Intensive lab work, followed by mid-term presentations on the development of students' draft business/project plans | |
Consulting Project Work | Integration of feedback from the partner organizations and charting the way forward | |
Week 6 | Workshop: Storytelling for Social Change | Special skill-building workshop on using storytelling and narrative as key elements of one's toolkit as a leader in the 21st century, following the example of master storytellers ranging from Henry V to Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Mobilizing human and financial capital: Recruiting advisors and teammates; Developing a business model and revenue strategy | |
Consulting Project Work | Continuing the process of facilitated consulting work to design a solution to the project brief | |
Reflective Practice | Exercises on personal growth and students' inner journey as a professional peace builder and change maker | |
Week 7 | Expert Panel | Experts in various topics will visit with the students and provide input on their social enterprise concepts as well as their consulting projects. This will also include personal time with the experts to learn about their stories and receive personal and professional advice. |
Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Preparing plan for impact measurement and laying the groundwork for scale | |
Consulting Project Work | Continuing the process of facilitated consulting work to design a solution to the project brief | |
Week 8 | Coursework: The Practice of Social Entrepreneurship | Final presentations of social enterprise project plans |
Consulting Project Work | Final presentations to partner organizations on the deliverables of the consulting project | |
Farewell Weekend | Special trip and activities to process the learnings from the summer semester, reflect on one's personal path going forward, and begin the integration of the experience with students' return to campus and subsequent coursework. Also in focus will be the building of a vibrant and closely connected alumni network to benefit each other's lives and careers in the future. | |
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Further Notes: | ||
1) In addition to the specified visits, various guest speakers and experts will visit the classes on an ongoing basis to interact with and advise the students | ||
2) The Consulting Project work will be closely facilitated by the Amani Institute and many new techniques and conceptual frameworks will be introduced to help the students learn new skills as well as successfully complete the project | ||
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General Packing Guidelines (courtesy University of Iowa – International Programs)
The secret of being a good traveler is to take as little as possible and yet have everything you need. The general rule in determining what you need is to lay out what you think you will have to take and leave half of it at home. The vacant space in your luggage will soon be filled with the treasures you come across during your travels. Don’t load yourself down.
Consider both the physical and social climate; dress accordingly. Take drip-dry, no-iron clothes. Comfort and practicality are the keys for both clothing and shoes. Roll your clothes instead of folding them to save space. Transfer liquids from breakable containers into plastic containers. Use plastic bags to organize (you can later use the bags to separate damp items from dry, or dirty clothes from clean). Don’t overstock on toiletries; most things are available in major cities abroad.
Identify the type of luggage best suited to your needs (suitcase? back pack? carry-on/day pack?). Clearly identify your luggage inside (name and permanent address) and out (name and address of destination). Ask your airline whether you should lock your luggage before checking it at the airport.
Check your airline’s website for the most recent regulations on luggage weight, size, and number of pieces. In your carry-on, keep one change of clothes, toiletries, identification (passport, visas, ID card, etc.), and any medication. Pack everything up; carry it around for a while by yourself (up and down the stairs, around the house). Then unpack, eliminate the nonessentials, repack, and try it again.
Clothing styles differ all over the world, so there is no way to generalize what one should or should not wear. Research clothing styles ahead of time, blend in, and above all else, respect the customs of your host country.
Dress is casual but professional. Leave your holey jeans and ripped t-shirts at home. Clothes should be hand washable and dry quickly. Winter months (June through September) are a little cooler in Nairobi. Average highs are in the lower 70s, and lows are in the lower 50s. Sunshine is not as abundant in the winter months. During August, participants can expect to only see about five or six hours of daylight.
1. Shirts – multiple t-shirts/shirts with sleeves; at least one long-sleeve shirt (no tank tops or spaghetti straps)
2. Pants – khakis or jeans
3. Skirts – knee-length or below for women
4. One business outfit – (tie/sport coat for men, dress shoes, etc.)
5. Underwear, socks, sleepwear
6. Light-weight sweaters
7. Raincoat
8. Jacket
9. Closed-toed boots/shoes or sneakers.
Other Useful Items
1. Digital camera with significant chip storage
2. Battery operated alarm
3. Small journal for daily entries / pencil or pen
4. Locks (padlocks for bags, backpack)
5. Small umbrella (for both rain and sun protection)
Leave at Home
1. Entire contents of your wallet, multiple credit cards, other plastic
2. Valuables or sentimental objects
3. Perfumes, dressy clothes, etc.
4. Hair dryers, other electric items
5. Knives of any length, or cutting instruments of ANY kind (metallic or non-metallic) including carpet knives, box cutters and folding or retractable blades regardless of length, ice picks, straight razors (safety/disposable razors ARE allowed), and elongated scissors.
6. Recreational drugs.
Luggage
Check with your airline regarding checked bags and carry-on item terms and restrictions.
You should have the following items:
Flight Itinerary
1. Copy of flight itinerary with your home address and phone number plus a copy of the trip itinerary in Kenya.
Immigration Documents
1. Passport with one completely empty visa page.
2. Airplane tickets
Money
1. Enough to pay for incidentals (e.g., some meals, snacks, souvenirs, local transport, recreation in Kenya).
2. US$ / ATM card (for airports)
The currency in Kenya is the shilling. If you are exchanging money, we suggest you to do it in legitimate banks and exchange bureaus. Please know if you exchange money at the airport, you may not get the best exchange rate. Check exchange rate before you leave for the trip. Exchange rates can be found here at: http://themoneyconverter.com/USD/KES.aspx. Exchange rate at time of writing is 1 USD=87.40002 KES.
For more information:
Central Bank of Kenya
Website: www.centralbank.go.ke
You will be able to withdraw money from most Kenyan banks using your ATM or credit cards, however it is very important that you call your bank, and let them know the dates you will arriving and departing from Kenya. If you fail to do so, your card may be frozen or canceled, and you will have to find other alternatives to obtain your personal funds. ATM's are available in many places in Nairobi.
Other options besides using your primary personal accounts include talking with your bank to set up a separate travel account with a separate ATM card, or carry a prepaid currency card. (Travelex is one company that offers this service: (http://www.travelex.com) The currency card may come with additional fees, so be sure to do your research!
Photocopies (packed separately, i.e., both suitcase and carry-on)
1. Passport (one extra color copy with you at all times)
2. Photo ID card (student ID card or something other than passport)
3. Traveler’s insurance card provided by the university
Important Items to Pack in Carry-On
1. Medication - at least 60 days of any medication and supplements (e.g. birth control, inhaler, insulin, vitamins)
2. Travel medical kit
3. Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
4. Toiletries packed according to carry-on guidelines (tooth brush/paste, soap, deodorant, shaving, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, feminine products, toilet paper, tissues)
5. Spare eyeglasses/contacts
6. Ear plugs (anticipate loud noises from neighbors and friends!)
Cell Phones
If you want to carry a cell phone in Kenya, you have several options. You can buy an unlocked, tri or quad band cellphone in the U.S. and then, buy a SIM card in Kenya. The following website has some inexpensive phones: TigerDirect.com. If you have an old phone, you can also check to see if the model is a tri or quad band phone, and American Wireless can unlock it for a reasonable price. (They are located in Arlington, VA).
You may also bring your own phones to Kenya, however you should check with your carrier to determine the international calling rates.
