Kenya is home to several world-class institutions of higher learning and is a popular destination for international students. African History, Art, and Music come to life in this melting pot of cultures. Simply put, if you’re looking for an immersive, hands-on learning environment and authentic cultural experiences, a student trip to Kenya is exactly what you need.

Kenyans are an incredibly warm, friendly and welcoming lot as you’ll soon find out. Student trips are a fun way to get a first-hand look and feel of the country, build character and discover yourself. Bags packed and passport ready? Here’s 5 things you need to know for a successful student trip to Kenya.

The Language and Culture

Kenya has on record a total of 42 tribes which make up a population of 51.39 million people. That’s 42 different languages, cultures and cuisines that all merge to become the unique blend we know and love as the Kenyan experience.

The six largest tribes; Kikuyu, Luo, Kalenjin, Luhya, Kamba and everyone’s favorite, the Maasai collectively make up about half of the Kenyan population. There are about 68 languages spoken which mainly consist of native African languages as well as a handful of Middle-Eastern and Asian influences. The Asian and Middle Eastern dialects are spoken by descendants of the earliest visitors to the East African Coast. The languages fall three distinct language families namely;

Bantu languages: Mostly spoken in the Central and Southeastern arts of the country.
Nilotic languages: Spoken in the Western region, and,
Cushitic languages spoken in the Northeastern provinces.

It is worth noting that Kenya has two official languages, English and Swahili. The two are spoken with varying degrees of fluency and while English is widely spoken in commerce, institutions of learning and government, learning a bit of Swahili is a sure way to make some friends.

Safety.

Despite occasional travel advisories, Kenya is a safe travel destination compared to most African countries. As the adage goes, “it rains everywhere”. Kenya similarly and occasionally experiences bits of crime as is common in most developing economies. With a tiny bit of caution and a little commonsense, you don’t have much to worry about.

Sure, you might attract some unwanted attention from beggars and street urchins but for the most part you’ll be fine. There are however, several safety checklist items you might want to cross through when planning your holiday to Kenya:

Ensure you have a local guide, preferably a student from the institution you’ll be studying at. Alternatively, plan your student trip with local Kenya safari operators such as AjKenyasafarisa.com or MasaiMarasafari.in. The idea is to be as thoroughly oriented on the Kenyan way of life, where and when to get your essentials, places to avoid and so on.
As a rule of thumb, travel and health insurance are absolutely vital during your stay. Pick a cover that best suits your needs and falls within a reasonable budget.
Ensure you get all your shots and vaccinations beforehand. There is a slight risk of Tropical and infectious diseases but the good news is the Kenyan Healthcare system is rated among the best in Africa.
Avoid visiting places you’re unfamiliar with while unaccompanied, sucks the adrenaline out of it but better safe than sorry right?

For added safety, you may reach out to the Security Services department at the host institution.

The Cuisine.

There isn’t one singular dish that accurately represents Kenya's wild culinary identity. It is a kaleidoscope of flavors, scents and colors like you have never seen before. Kenyan food encompasses aspects of traditional African cuisine while borrowing heavily from Western, Asian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences.

From raw blood, blood-milk mixtures, cooked blood, and our world-famous ugali with nyama choma to popular Western brands such as KFC, Burger King, Dominoes and more. Simply put, you’ll be spoilt for choice. It is however advisable to be mindful of what and where you eat to avoid any nasty surprises.

That said, there’s a bit of an adjustment period before you can chow down on local food like a professional. While a majority of Kenyans are notorious meat lovers, the cuisine is in its very essence actually vegetarian. For obvious reasons, it is advisable to stick to purified or bottled water.

Is it Safe for LGBTQ+ Students?

Considered a rather conservative country, Kenya is host to several LGBTQ+ lobby groups. That said, the State doesn’t recognize same sex relations and homosexuality is punishable by a jail term under the Kenyan penal code. There are no laws or explicit provisions of the constitution that protect citizens and foreigners against discrimination of any kind by basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.

The LGBTQ+ community is mostly ignored or rather tolerated with the general feeling being “we have bigger problems”. It is important to note that public displays of affection are frowned upon even with heterosexual couples. You can however look forward to a trouble-free trip as long as you observe a modest code of conduct as far as sexual orientation and romantic interests are concerned.

The Do’s and Don’ts.

Unlike most African safari countries and Territories, Kenyans; being polite and all have very few unspoken rules. Here are some pointers to help you make the best of your student trip to Kenya.

DO NOT ask what tribes people around you belong to. Tribalism remains a touchy subject and most people prefer to stay clear off the topic.
DO make use of local mobile money payment methods as opposed to carrying bundles of cash with you.
Do Not use small cars for game drives such as the Subaru forester to save cost. Off-road vehicles such as the toyota land cruiser, Nissan Patrol and the Land Rover give the best game viewing opportunity,
DO NOT turn down hospitality. As mentioned, Kenyans are innately polite and welcoming people. As such, you might notice that it is common for people to offer you food and beverages everywhere you go. Turning down such offers is considered rude and unacceptable.
DO NOT take pictures of people or places/buildings without express prior consent.

In summary, there is no “surefire” way to take a successful study trip abroad anywhere. The circumstances may differ and what works for one student may not necessarily work for another. The best way would be to plan your trip ahead of time, research and gain an interest in the local culture, weigh your options and most importantly keep track of your expenses.

Goodbyes can be brutal, but they are an intricate part of any trip and there’s always a good reason to visit more than once. Luckily for you we have 51.39 million of them.

Are there any border restrictions there in Kenya?

anngrant:
Are there any border restrictions there in Kenya?

Shouldn't be a problem I guess. You can check their entry requirements on the official embassy website. If you need a visa - just try to apply online on https://evisa.express/en/kenya . More and more countries have this service lately.