| Karibu (Welcome!)
to a little bit of Kenya
in Pella, Iowa!! | 
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Central's Kenya Connection
We have Central College (Central University of Iowa) graduates in Kenya, and we've hosted Kenyan students and faculty. In summer 2000, a delegation from Central visited Kenya to explore opportunities and to sign a cooperation agreement with the officers of Moi University, Eldoret. In summer 2001, three professors and ten students visited Kenya. This page presents information about our contacts in Kenya, and ideas for how you (faculty or student) might get involved. Ready for an African safari...?
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Missionary friends of the Iversons showed us a church
built to replace one which soon will be
at the bottom of a hydroelectric reservoir near Kisumu | The woman on the right
holds a mudfish caught in Lake Victoria |
Why Kenya?
It has been said that Kenya provides "the best of Africa," with a pleasant climate and spectaular wildlife. Eastern Africa has long been a popular location for both scientists and tourists (note that "safari" means travel in Swahili).
Learn more about Kenya from the Yahoo index page, travel information from the U.S. State Departmentfor Kenya, the CIA factbook, or the Kenyaweb.com website.
Our partners at Moi University offer a wealth of expertise in the natural sciences. However ample opportunities exist for study in arts, culture, government and other disciplines.
This is an English-language program: Kenyan classrooms from grade school on (including classes at Moi University) are in English. You'll certainly hear Kiswahili, but will generally find Kenyans fluent and happy to speak with you in English.
2001 Trip
In May/June 2001, 10 students and three profs visited Kenya for about three weeks (after a three-day stopover and orientation in Leiden, the Netherlands). We were typically accompanied by one or more faculty/staff experts from Moi U. Activities included:
- Safari trip to view wildlife in Masai Mara Reserve
- Viewing the "Yellowstone Park of Africa" (Lake Bagoria), other natural features
- Visits to tea plantations, flower farms, local schools
- Lots of interactions with Kenyans at the University, in town, home stays, etc.
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| Giraffe photographed at Nairobi N.P. | Impala photographed at Nairobi N.P. |
What's next?
Eventually, this program may lead to students taking semester-long classes at Moi U. during the academic year. We are also exploring research collaborations and other partnerships.
2002 Trip: Dr. Silvia Rode (Modern Languages Dept.) will accompany Paul Weihe (biology). We will visit many of the same locations as in 2001, and again offer 3 credits of cross-cultural studies and 3 credits of science.
Click here for information about academics and logisitics of the 2002 trip.
We are now actively recruiting students to take a safari in 2002!! Program dates are approximately Monday 20 May through Sunday 23 June 2002.
The application deadline is 15 March!!
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| Tea plantations in the western highlands | Paul and Dulo hiked with Dan
on Mt. Kenya, Africa's second highest peak |
For More Information...
For personal anecdotes or specifics about our Summer 2002 activities, contact Dr. Paul Weihe (Biology/Environmental Studies Dept). For information about program registration, costs, or logistics, contact the Central College Study Abroad office.
Asante---thanks for visiting. Kwaheri!
This page prepared by Paul Weihe
Last update Mar. 2002