Kenya (KEM) Program Links - 1 4053
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802.258.3212
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Kenya: Swahili Studies and Coastal Cultures
Program Excursions
Below is a typical schedule for the Kenya: Coastal Cultures program, showing the progression of courses. Do note, however, that this schedule is subject to local conditions in Kenya and may be changed for curricula or logistical reasons:
Week 1
Program Orientation & introduction to Swahili language -- Mombasa
Weeks 2-3
Mombasa Homestay, Coastal Studies Seminar & Field Study Seminar -- Mombasa Malindi
Weeks 4-6
Intensive Swahili Language Training, Coastal Studies Seminar & Field Study Seminar, Swahili Tutors & Dhow Safari -- Lamu and Kiwayuu
Week 7-8
Rural Village Homestay, Community Service Building Project, Swahili Language Training and Game Safari -- Taita Village & Tsavo National Park
Week 9
Independent Study Project preparation & meeting with ISP Advisors -- Mombasa
Weeks 10-11
Educational excursion to the island of Zanzibar or Oman
Weeks 11-13
Independent Study Project
Week 14
Independent Study Project presentation; program evaluation
End of program
Gede-Malindi
Gede, the Arab Swahili town, is something of a mystery, because it is not mentioned in any of the Portuguese or Arab chronicles of the time. Students have the opportunity to visit the extensive fifteenth-century Gede ruins, one of the principle historical monuments on the coast of Kenya.
Lamu Archipelago
Lamu is a remote, unique, and fascinating self-contained Swahili society. It is Kenya's oldest living town, with a history of more than 500 years of continuous settlement. Lamu was recently nominated as a world heritage site.
While there, students spend three weeks studying the Swahili language with daily classes. Local tutors work individually with each student six hours per week to enhance the student's proficiency.
Students also have the opportunity to visit other parts of the Lamu archipelago. In doing so, they are introduced to other Swahili dialects, as well as traditional fishing, dhow building, and basketry, among other activities.
Zanzibar or Oman
In Zanzibar, once the seat of political and economic power on the east coast of Africa, students visit the ruins of the Sultan's palaces and Persian baths, museums that outline the history of the island. Students also enjoy a spice tour that illustrates the island's most important industry and a walk through Jozani Forest to learn about different herbs and their healing power. While there, we also take time to observe the red colobus monkeys at play, jumping from tree to tree.
Another possibility for our educational tour is the Sultanate of Oman. Centuries ago Omanis and East Africans began extensive trade with each other, aided by the seasonal monsoon winds. Oman's rich heritage and historical economic and social connection to the East coast of Africa will become clear as students walk through the Souk, visit various forts, and watch men building dhows in a village. Other activities and lecture topics will be in the areas of marine ecology, geology, culture, religion and the Oman-East Africa connection.