Kenya

• December 2009
• Courses
• Living Arrangements
• Expenses
• Application

In this short-term program, undergraduate students from all disciplines study Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Cultural Ecology of Food with the Green Belt Movement, a grassroots non-governmental organization founded by Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai. Her renowned organization focuses on providing income and sustenance to millions through planting trees and restoring the environment. GBM has planted over 30 million trees, and has conducted several large-scale campaigns informing Kenyans about women’s rights, civic empowerment and the environment.

Classroom activities on campus prior to travel introduce students to the courses’ topics. While in Kenya, students and GBM members work on community projects such as tree planting, food security, and sustainable agriculture. In addition, travels and excursions introduce students to the diversity of Kenyan society, culture, and environment.

Courses   

• Resources for Participants and Interested Parties
• Live from the Heartland: Patrick McHaffie (Part 1)
• Live from the Heartland: Patrick McHaffie (Part 2)

The program is lead by Dr. Patrick McHaffie, who teaches GEO 241: Geographic Information Systems I, and Dr. Howard Rosing, who teaches PPS 327/ANT 109/390: The Cultural Politics of Food.  Dr. Rosing's course may be taken as either a Public Policy course or an Anthropology course depending on the student's registration choice.  Readings, personal narratives, and guest lectures are combined with hands-on activities, service learning, and observation while in the country. Upon their return to Chicago, students meet with instructors during the winter quarter to exchange, synthesize, and summarize their learning and complete their final papers and GIS work.

Circumstances, such as an unexpected event abroad or a curriculum change at a host institution, may require DePaul University to make changes to the program.  DePaul University reserves the right to cancel or alter programs and courses without notice.

Living Arrangements   

In Nairobi, students stay at GBM’s Langata Center in shared accommodations. While traveling to community sites and on the green safari, students stay with GBM member families and in safari lodges.

Expenses   

In addition to DePaul tuition for 8 credit hours, costs include a specific program fee. For updated information on speficic program expenses, click here:

• Cost Information

For this program, the fee includes roundtrip airfare, all accommodations, local transportation, study abroad health insurance, some meals, and all group activities.

Students must plan their budgets to cover additional meals, textbooks, supplies, passport and visa fees, and personal expenses.

Application   

To participate in this program students must have at least a 2.5 GPA. To apply to this DePaul Study Abroad Program, students just submit the following:

    • A completed DePaul Study Abroad Program application form

    • Two (2) recommendation forms from faculty familiar with your academic work.

    • A copy of the DePaul Unofficial Transcript.  This may be found on Campus Connect in the Students section under Records and Registration.

    • A digital photo uploaded into the application.

DePaul University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex or handicap in admissions, employment or the provision of services. Inquiries regarding this policy should be addressed to the Director of Human Resources, 243 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60604-2287.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 15, 2009

• Download Application