SFS-Kenya: Giraffe Ecology and Conservation
Program Details
| Program Location |
Rift Valley, Kenya
|
| Sponsor |
School for Field Studies |
| Program Type |
Co-sponsored |
| Course # |
SA 35004
|
| Duration |
Summer
|
| Upcoming Program Dates |
| Summer 2025 |
07/06/25 to 08/05/25
|
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice
Overview
Immerse yourself in the world-famous national parks and reserves of Kenya while studying the world’s tallest terrestrial animal. Through safari drives, field excursions, and conversations with wildlife experts, you will study emerging giraffe conservation issues and develop an understanding of policy implementation and legal protections. You’ll explore traditional knowledge and different approaches to wildlife management and conservation with the Maasai and local community groups.
This summer program is worth 4 credits. Students can pair this program with SFS-Kenya's summer session 1, Elephants of the African Savanna, to get to know even more of East Africa’s beautiful megafauna. The combination of Summer Sessions 1 and 2 awards a total of 8 credits.
For more program information, please visit the
program website.
This program is sponsored by:
School for Field Studies.
Eligibility
The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.
GPA Requirement:
2.6 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none
Purdue Credit
Direct Credit
available from the following:
[
College of Agriculture] [
College of Liberal Arts]
Specifically from:
All (AG) and Liberal Arts majors fulfilling their science requirement
Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.
Academic Program
On the Giraffe Ecology and Conservation program, you will take one 4-credit course. This course is participatory in nature and is designed to foster inquiry and active learning combining lectures, field exercises, assignments, and tests.
More information about the course and the syllabus can be found on the SFS website.
Excursions
- Enjoy travelling lectures to multiple conservancies within Amboseli ecosystem, home to the majority of giraffe populations.
- On two multi-day camping trips, explore both Amboseli National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve to view a wide range of megaherbivores and predators in different habitats.
- Visit local Maasai communities and settlements (‘manyatta’) to converse and understand how they coexistence with wildlife around them.
Housing
The Center lies in the heart of Kenya’s Rift Valley, between three world-famous national parks. The snow-capped peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro towers over miles of savanna, replete with a diversity of wildlife. Our sprawling, grassy campus includes thatched bandas (cabins) and a central chumba (main building), just down the road from the small town of Kimana.
- Dorm living with 4-person bandas
- Chumba contains classroom, computer lab, and study spaces
- Kitchen and dining hall, on-site cooking staff
- Campus offers amazing views of Mt. Kilimanjaro
- One-mile running trail on campus
- Volleyball, soccer, Frisbee, and fire pit
Estimated Program Costs
Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss. Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location. This will vary by program. Program and housing fees include: tuition, housing, meals and snacks, airport transfers, field excursions, insurance, and 24/7 health and wellness support.
Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are
for: Summer 2024
|
Costs per term to be billed by Purdue
and Co-sponsor
|
| Program Fee |
$5,355.00
|
| Study Abroad Fee |
$609.40 |
| Housing |
$2,395.00 |
| Purdue International Insurance (per month) |
$32.00 |
|
Approximate additional costs per term
|
| To be paid by the student.
|
| Round-trip Airfare |
$2,000.00 |
| Visa |
$55.00 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses |
$0.00 -
$1,200.00 |
| Travel Documents (passport, photos) |
$175.00 |
Financial Aid
Students needing to use Purdue financial aid in order to participate in this four-credit summer program will need to enroll in at least two more credits during the summer term at Purdue.
SFS offers many scholarships and/or 0% interest loans (no FAFSA form required). Please see the SFS website for more details.
Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should
NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.
Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.
Application Deadlines
For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline. Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.
As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.
| Program Application Deadline
|
| Summer Programs |
Mar 1 |
Returnees Information
Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted. If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.
Resources
The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.
For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383
or email
studyabroad@purdue.edu.
