Educational Field Trip: Kenya

The Educational Field Trips provide some of the greatest learning experiences of studying abroad! In your courses and travels, you have gained insights about others’ cultures - their history, religion, art, and social systems. You have developed curiosity, empathy, and cultural humility. These insights and skills are refined when you fully immerse yourself in a place like Kenya.

Here are a few preparations:

1. MEDICATIONS and VACCINES (NOVEMBER)

While there are no mandatory immunizations that are required to enter Kenya, out of an abundance of caution we advise all students:

• Ensure they are fully up-to-date with routine childhood vaccinations: MMR, Varicella (chicken pox), Polio, TDAP, and influenza.

• Secure an antimalarial medication such as Malarone. Please avoid old school medications such as Mefloquine which have terrible side-affects (night terrors, panic attacks, insomnia). You can secure Malarone by visiting your family doctor or local travel clinic.

• Seriously consider getting the yellow fever vaccine. While there are no reported cases of yellow fever in areas where we will be staying in southwestern Kenya (Limuru and Narok), it is highly recommended for travelers visiting East Africa to discuss this with their doctor.

• Consider a Hepatitis A vaccine and a DTaP-IPV-Hib vaccine (combined diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated polio, and haemophilus B conjugate).

If you decide to get the immunizations through the Switzerland Program:

• You must sign up for an appointment by November 15.

• This is not covered by the program’s insurance, so you will have pay for these. Check with your private insurance - they might reimburse you.

If you decide to get the immunizations at a clinic at home (with your local clinic or family doctor) during the Christmas Holidays:

• Schedule your appointment as early as possible - the slots fill up very quickly.

• Please explain that you will be in Western Kenya (the first part of the trip will be in Limuru, at 2500 meters of elevation, and the second part will be in Narok). You will not be in contact with animals, except maybe around cows very briefly.

• This is not covered by the program’s insurance, so you will have pay for these. Check with your private insurance - they might reimburse you.

If you decide to get the immunizations on your own in Switzerland with the Lausanne clinic:

• Bring your immunization card to Switzerland with you.

• Schedule your appointment as early as possible - the slots fill up very quickly (you CANNOT schedule an appointment which conflicts with classes or with The Gathering).

• Explain to the doctor that you will be in Western Kenya (the first part of the trip will be in Limuru, at 2500 meters of elevation, and the second part will be in Narok). You will not be in contact with animals, except maybe around cows very briefly.

• This is not covered by the program’s insurance, so you will have pay for these. Check with your private insurance - they might reimburse you.

2. Transformation QUESTIONNAIRE - JANuary 20

All students should complete their Transformation Questionnaire during the January 20 meeting.

3. ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FORM - ON JANuary 20

All students should complete their Engagement Opportunities Form during the January 20 meeting (link will be activated soon).

4. ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) - ON JANuary 20

ONE student representative from each château room will apply for authorization for their group to visit Kenya during the January 20 meeting.

A.  Apply online - follow this step-by-step guide (this will cost $32.50 / person).

B. When your authorization is emailed to you, upload it to this folder.

5. PARTICIPANT FORM - JANuary 20

All students must submit their Participant Form during the January 20 meeting.

6. MEAL selection FORM - on JANuary 20

All students must submit their Meal Selection Form during the January 20 meeting.

7. ROOMMATe Preference FORM - ON JANuary 20

If you would like to select a roommate during the EFT, please fill out the Roommate Preference Form during the January 20 meeting.

8. CURRENCY - ANYTIME BEFORE FebRUARY 6, 10 pm

Kenya uses Kenyan Shilling (KES) for its currency. As of the end of 2024, the exchange rate is 1 CHF = 146 KES.

If you would like to purchase KES in advance of departure, this must be done on the website store before February 6 at 10:00 pm (CET).

9. PACKING

*Temperatures: expect average highs of 86 ̊ F and lows of 61 ̊ F. Consult your weather app for the most up-to-date forecast.