With its beautiful wildlife tourist attractions and diverse African cultures, Kenya offers students a great place to study abroad.
- If you decide to join a summer study abroad program in Kenya you can visit Aberdare National Park, which is located not too far away from Nairobi. The park was created in 1950 as a way to protect the slopes and wildlife of the Aberdare Mountains. While there you can see everything from rhinos to elephants.
- For a semester abroad in Kenya you can visit Lamu, which is the largest town in Kenya. Some of the main attractions include a Donkey Sanctuary with over 3,000 working donkeys and museums dedicated to the Swahili culture.
Every destination you visit in Kenya will be full of interesting people and animals that you may never get to see again in your lifetime.
Study Abroad in Kenya Programs
Kenya has a widely diverse population, so it’s only appropriate that the colleges and universities offer a diverse curriculum for native and international students.
- Are you interested in joining an African Safari program that takes you through some of Kenya’s national parks and wildlife reserves? If you are then you can join a program at the United States International University. The university is located about 12 miles outside of Nairobi and offers classes both in the classroom and outside in planned safari trips.
- For a more traditional study abroad program you can visit the University of Nairobi. The main mission of the university is to foster individuality and creativity in its students, so all major types of programs are offered, from Accounting and Meteorology to Private Law and Sociology.
- You can also take classes in English at Moi University, which offers courses to international students for different periods of time.
For more study abroad Kenya program information and for ideas to help pay for your experience see Financial Aid for Study Abroad.
Kenya Transportation Options
Even though Kenya has both paved and unpaved roads, the country still has more reliable and well-developed modes of transportation than many other countries in Africa.
- One of the cheapest and most convenient ways to travel in Kenya is by bus. Almost all bus lines go to every major city in Kenya, and the seats are very comfortable while the prices are extremely low.
- If you want to travel First Class then you can take a luxurious ride by railway. Not only will you travel comfortably with your own bed and free water, but you’ll also enjoy the sights of the Kenyan countryside. You can also choose Second Class and Third Class railway travel, which are not as nice but do offer comfortable seats.
- Do you know what a matatu is? It’s the most common mode of transportation in Kenya. These are smaller vehicles, like mini-vans and Nissans, that work like taxis and can pick you up from the roadside. Just be careful because matatu drivers are known to pick up chickens and goats!
- You can also rent a car in Kenya, but it is a bit more expensive than taking the bus. It’s always best to rent the vehicle on the internet and then pick it up when you arrive in your host country.
No matter how you travel just be careful and take extra safety precautions while in another country.
Exchange Rates for Kenya Currency
Kenya currency is known as the Kenyan Shilling (KSh). Here’s what you need to know about the Kenyan Shilling:
- Coins = KSh 40, 20, 10, 5, 50cts, 10cts and 5cts
- Bills = KSh1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5
You can use a Kenya currency converter like the one here to compare other amounts of U.S. dollars against the Kenyan Shilling.
Visit the Capital and Other Fun Kenya Places
There are many tourist attractions that you can visit when you study abroad in Kenya.
- Nairobi, which is the capital and largest city in Kenya, is known for its Giraffe Center, which protects endangered giraffe in East Africa. The center breeds giraffe from birth and protects them from the danger of the wilderness.
- You can visit Masai Mara, which is the largest park reserve in Kenya. The reserve has lions, antelope, rhino, hyenas, storks and more.
- If you like listening to music you can visit Mombasa, which is the second largest city in Kenya. The city is known for Taarab music, which combines sounds from Africa and the Middle East.
- If you like volcanoes, caves and craters then Chyulu Hills National Park is the perfect place to visit. You can get a view of Mount Kilimanjaro and see wildlife like zebra and warthogs.
Important Study Abroad Kenya Information
When you study abroad in Kenya you should always keep a list of important numbers with you in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to check with your school or program for any additional information you might need:
