Blog

Sora Akiyoshi – THIS IS REAL LIFE. I cannot wait to get out in the field and apply the knowledge I already know, but also the information that will be taught to us by the staff here. I am so grateful to be surrounded by the wonderful staff and the other students that share similar passions that I have. Asante sana for such an amazing opportunity!

Inanna Carter – So far SFS Kenya has been exciting, dusty, and relaxing. The omnipresent baboons, our thatched bandas, the view of Kilimanjaro’s peak above our shower stalls, the incredibly friendly Swahili staff (and our SAM Sam), and the inspiring director Moses Okello provide a constant reminder that WE ARE IN AFRICA!

Emily Currie – All of the sights on our ride to Kilimanjaro Bush Camp made me realize that we will experience so much more than the parks and the animals. I can’t wait to learn Kiswahili and interact with the locals!

Lana Dayne — I love being in such close proximity to the wildlife. In the mornings, we wake up to the sounds of birds, hyenas, baboons, and monkeys, and during class I am distracted by the baboons stealing drinks of water off of the porches of our bandas!

Julia DeVito—For all that everything here is new and strange, Africa is startlingly beautiful and the welcoming atmosphere has made me feel already at home. I can’t wait to continue to experience all that this semester will have to offer!

Alena Ede – Two days in and Kenya has already stolen my heart. The people and wildlife are amazing! I cannot wait for the adventures to come.

Stefani Erdahl- I feel like I am on a different planet! The sky is spectacular and I have nothing but good things to say about the people I have met so far in Kenya.

Emily Foden – I don’t think I’ve ever learned so much in such a short period of time. Even the sky is new and wonderful.

Smith Freeman – The first animal I saw on exiting the airport was a giraffe. Any country with a roaming giraffe outside its airport is good by me.

Colin Grant – The vast amount of pure, rugged nature surrounding me is nothing but awe inspiring. It renders me speechless. It’s also very dusty here.

Jamie Gross – I’ve only been here for two days and I have already seen incredible things. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and I can’t wait to see what this semester will bring.

Nathan Hahn – I have only been here for a few days, but I already know that I will be experiencing things I could never have dreamed of only a year ago. The welcoming spirit of the staff here is amazing and I am excited to be able to communicate in Swahili and make strong connections with the local people. I’m having the time of my life.

Colleen Hartel – The sights, sounds, and smells of Kenya are unlike anything I have experienced before. It is truly amazing.

Tory Herbert – Kenya has already taken my breath away. I love how open-hearted the people are and I look forward to getting to know them better as I learn more Kiswahili. I’m also excited for expeditions and learning about the wildlife. Experiencing Kenya and Tanzania will definitely be my greatest adventure yet!

Kim Johnson – From the moment I stepped out of the Nairobi airport I could tell I was in an entirely different world: the smells, the air, the views, everything was unique. That is when I first began to fall in love with Africa, when the bud formed. Every new experience and each person I have since met has formed a new petal and my appreciation and passion for Kenya has blossomed into the most beautiful flower I have ever seen.

Melissa Keller– After two beautiful months in Kenya the sight of Kilimanjaro, the people and the wildlife is enough to make me fall in love with this country all over again.

Georgia Macy – Before I arrived in Kenya, I was most excited to study the incredible wildlife and environment in East Africa. While I have not been disappointed in the wildlife component of this adventure (we’ve seen baboons, zebras, and giraffes already!), meeting the welcoming people here has made me just as eager to study Kiswahili and East African culture.

Kiara McChesney – Kenya has been beyond my wildest expectations thus far! The people are so wonderful and welcoming, and the scenery is breathtaking. I am very excited to continue to experience everything that this program has to offer!

Hanna Mogensen– Such an amazing adventure has been set before us. So many open arms and kind friends have been here to welcome us to Kenya. With great anticipation I have an open mind to experience all that I can. “And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet. And the wind longs to play with your hair.”-Kahlil Cibron

Maia Murphy-Williams– I am so incredibly excited about my experience in East Africa. The people, the place, the animals are everything I hoped for and so much more. I have learned an amazing amount and it’s only my 2^nd day here! I know this experience will change me forever.

Emily Rogers – So far this trip has been everything I wanted and more.  I’m thrilled to have the chance to combine my International Relations and cultural studies with my Environmental Science and Policy studies in what so far has been a fantastic experience and program. I’m excited to be exposed to new ways of thinking and living and know that I will be challenged to go above and beyond by this experience.

Rankin Salinas – The environment, the animals, the culture and the people are simply endearing and moving.

Becca Samuel – Beautiful land with beautiful people.

Sam Sangster — We left the airport and saw a giraffe immediately. I am thrilled to be in the place I’ve longed to visit for years. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the semester has in store!

Asya Simons — Kenya is incredible! The staff has been very welcoming, and we already know a few phrases in Kiswahili. I love sharing camp with the baboons…even when they are screaming at each other late at night. I can’t wait to learn everything I can while in such a beautiful place.

Maggie Stryker – Kenya has proven to be as beautiful as I pictured it to be. The lifestyle is so different than what I am used to but in a wonderful way.  The culture here is so detailed and I am excited to learn more about the way of life in Kenya and making it my new home!

Carol Ann Thomas — The inviting spirit of the people we have met so far, is something I have never experienced, and can only hope to experience again. The sense of calm and peace here is enveloping… It truly is hakuna matata.

Louis Trojan – Africa is definitely a different place but its these experiences that make us who we are and who we want to be. Without knowing how the world is in different cultures allows for you to really discover new things within yourself. At first it’s a shock but the comfort of knowing that an experience such as this is to your benefit will allow you to do anything you wish.

Carolyn Wenner – Being in Africa is very exciting and I am very thankful to be here. The people are warm and welcoming, so I feel at home already. I know I will learn more this semester than I ever could in one semester back home.

Theresa Wolfgang – Africa is more than I have ever dreamed of.  The staff and local community are all so welcoming. I felt comfortable the second we walked out of the airport. This is an amazing place and I cannot wait to experience everything!