Academics
- Gain practical language skills.
- Advance your Swahili a semester in less than four weeks.
- Speak Swahili with your host family to work on conversation skills.
This program appeals to students who are interested in advancing their Swahili knowledge.
- Program type:
Intensive Swahili is a classroom-based course to work on student's speaking, listening and reading skills.
- Level:
First, second, third, or fourth semester of Swahili
- Term:
August; three weeks
- Prerequisites:
2.5 GPA; sophomores and above
- Courseload:
4 credits over summer session.
Faculty
Dr. Mohamud Jama, an economist at the University of Nairobi, directs the program. Khalif Maalim assists with the program coordination, and Kenyan faculty provide the instruction.
How to Apply
Click the button below to visit this program's web page for more information about the application process for this program.
About This Program
Kenya's geographic and cultural diversity make it a microcosm of the African continent. It includes hot coastal plains, vast plateaus, Africa's largest lake and highest mountain, and hundreds of miles of the great Rift Valley. Home to more than 45 tribes, significant European and South Asian minorities, and a population of 28 million speaking dozens of languages, Kenya shares with its neighbors the challenges of forging a multi-ethnic, post-colonial nation. Most Kenyans are farmers or herders, yet the capital of Nairobi is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in East Africa and the base for many international and Kenyan organizations promoting development and social change.
Homestays are an integral component of the learning experience. All students live and share most meals with homestay families. Although excursions change from year to year, you can expect to visit a variety of sites that may include local markets and other areas around Nairobi.
This language course is taught over a three-week period and awards 4 undergraduate credits. All classes are held at a local study center and are taught by experienced instructors who are native speakers. Small class sizes allow you many opportunities to practice their language skills and receive feedback from the instructor.
You may also participate in this program as an optional language pre-session for our MSID Kenya program.
About the Learning Abroad Center
The Learning Abroad Center in the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance is the University of Minnesota's comprehensive resource for study, service-learning, work, intern, volunteer, and travel experiences worldwide.
The Learning Abroad Center is a leader in providing innovative international learning experiences that expand and redefine the world for a diverse population of students, colleagues, and staff. The Learning Abroad Center staff and University of Minnesota faculty and staff participate in numerous leadership opportunities and serve on the advisory boards of organizations who provide and/or support education abroad programs. Through collaboration and individual attention, the Learning Abroad Center continues to promote empowerment, development, understanding, and responsibility in the global community.
A variety of program options--300 programs in over 80 countries--have been developed to address the diverse needs of students. Programs vary in length, level, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and degree of independence demanded of the participant.
