Society and Ecology in Kenya

Summer 2008 suspended

5 weeks (mid May to mid June)

Sponsored by the College of Natural Science and the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program, offered through the Colleges of Social Science and Natural Science, will focus upon the interaction between people and the biophysical environment. In today's world, ecological changes are often driven by changes in human behavior and land use. Human behavior can be changing as a result of political, economic, or societal factors, but also as a result of environmental changes.

A major objective of this study abroad program is to provide students first-hand exposure of the principles upon which ecology and social science are based, helping them understand the principles underlying these changes. With these understandings in hand, students will be challenged to interpret the effects of interactions between humans and their environment. Kenya provides an excellent location to study these interactions. The long history of ecologically sustainable nomadic herding is being shifted toward more sedentary and intensive agricultural land use practices. This program integrates environmental and social science principles as students explore various ecological communities while interacting with the local people. These interactions have strong ecological effects on some of the world's best-recognized wildlife communities the natural vegetation, the people and the economy of Kenya.

Our program, offered across colleges, will allow students to draw on their own and instructors' expertise on both sides of the human—environment interaction.

Where does it take place?

The program will visit at least three locations over its five-week duration.

One is the Swara Plains Estate east of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. This wildlife ranch practices a new model of conservation and wildlife utilization that has been emulated in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa. Here students will receive lectures on subject matter covered in the Geography, ISS 310, ZOL 490, and ISB208L courses, work on the independent study offerings, and engage in the required laboratory component of this program. Groups of students will design, conduct and evaluate field experiments using the resources of the Swara Estate.

A second involves a visit to the area that lies at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here students will visit Amboseli National Park to experience the Kenyan national park system, and then move on to Loitokitok, a small market center. From this base, students will travel to examine the changing human landscape of the area that involves an expansion of cultivation into lands formerly used by nomadic Maasai livestock herders and wildlife. There is great competition over access to land and water resources and students will explore the implications for peoples’ livelihoods and wildlife management.

The final location is Watamu on the Kenyan coast. Here a different set of human-environment issues will be examined, including protection of marine life in the Watamu Marine Park, and the fishing, farming and tourist economies of the area. Additionally, students will travel through several National parks to see the diversity of African wildlife, the effects of human-animal interactions, and to study the environmental issues facing Kenya and other nations.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for a minimum of six (6), maximum of eight (8) credits. The following courses are offered:

All students will be required to take a minimum of two laboratory credits from ISB 208L, ZOL 490, ZOL 494 or GEO 490.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Accommodations vary depending on location and include campsites, cottages and hotels.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Todd Tarrant
Integrative Studies in General Science
Michigan State University
100 N Kedzie Lab
Phone: (517) 432-9285
E-mail: tarrantt@msu.edu

Do I need a passport or visa?

Yes, you will need both a valid passport and a Kenya Visa for entry into Kenya. The Kenya Visa can be purchased upon arrival in Kenya.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

Students participating in this program are strongly encouraged to receive a series of immunizations specific for travel within Africa. Students should schedule an appointment to be seen at a travel clinic at least three months before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines to consider before departure.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2007 was $4,409 and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet that estimates the additional expenses not included in the program fee from the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

The College of Social Science and the College of Natural Science also have special study abroad scholarships. Check with your academic adviser or the Office of Study Abroad for further details.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.