'Cuse in Kenya 2024

Day 2: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Niki Swackhamer.

Name: Niki Swackhamer, She/Her

Hometown: Farmington, NY

Year and Program of Study: I am a first year master's degree student in the Cultural Foundations of Education program.

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because my grandparents lived and taught in Kenya for nine and a half years. Additionally, my research focus is on disability and disability education in different countries, specifically investigating the continuities and differences between these countries and the US.

Some things I have observed thus far are that experiential education seems to be an integral part of primary and secondary education!

I find it interesting that we're able to encounter wild animals in a populated area.

I am looking forward to continuing to learn about Kenyan history and education. And visiting the tea farm tomorrow!

Recap of Today’s Activities: Today, our group visited the Nairobi National Museum, where we had a docent tour. We learned more about Kenya’s different communities and their cultural similarities and differences. We were also able to view the progression of Kenyan history from pre-colonial, to colonial, to post-colonial times.

Afterwards, we took a short ride over to the Galleria mall (prounounces guh-lair-e-uh here!) for lunch and a bit of shopping (some of us had better luck than others on that front, unfortunately).

After lunch, we were off to the Bomas of Kenya, where we watched a collection of cultural performances from communities all over the country. These dances showcased celebratory emotions for special occasions or winning wars/battles, and fighting off evil spirits. Audience participation was encouraged, and some of our students got to be a part of the action (Andrew, Elena, Mason, Sienna, and Sophia!). See our photos below and videos in our Facebook group.

Day 3: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Ames Gerstenberger.

Name: Ames Gerstenberger

Hometown: Lake Orion, Michigan

Year and Program of Study: Senior in Art Education

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because I want to learn more about education systems in other countries. I also want to take photos in different parts of the world, so I am excited to have my first shoot in Kenya!

Some things I have observed thus far are the landscape and weather here are much different than what I anticipated. I thought it would be much hotter than it is!

I find it interesting that there is a pretty stark difference between the “touristy” areas and the residential areas we have been through (at least from what we’ve seen so far). After learning more about Kenyan history, this makes sense.

I am looking forward to seeing the elephants at the orphanage tomorrow, and seeing other wildlife while we are here. I’m hoping to get some good shots of the animals we see. I’m also excited to go into the schools and see how teaching and the school systems work here!

Recap of Today’s Activities: First, we went to the Kiambethu Tea Farm. We walked through the gardens before our tour of the farm and saw all sorts of plants. At the farm, our guide and the farm owner, Fiona, told us all about how tea is grown and its history in Kenya. Julius, a worker at the farm, demonstrated how the tea is picked. We had tea and cookies at the farm while Fiona talked to us about the family history behind the farm. Julius then showed us the cows, the fig and magnolia trees, the citronella, and other plants that grow in the area. Then we ate a tasty lunch and finished it off with ice cream made fresh at the farm! When we left the farm, we stopped by the church built by Fiona’s grandfather.

We went to the Maasai Market at the Village Market Mall where we haggled with the shopkeepers for our items. Mason was especially skilled with the haggling (he got a soap stone elephant for 300 shillings, down from 1500!). And, in an unfortunate turn of events, my camera battery died, and my charger was nowhere to be found, so I found a camera store at the Village Market and was able to buy a replacement. We finished off the day with dinner at Village Market and headed back to our lodge.

Day 4: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Elena Cooper.

Name: Elena Cooper

Hometown: Glastonbury, CT

Year and Program of Study: Senior, Dual Major in International Relations and Psychology

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be participating in the Kenya EDU 400/600 study abroad experience. I decided to enroll in this course to learn more about parts of the world I am unfamiliar with and enhance my understanding of the education system as it relates to human development and politics. Plus, who doesn’t want to visit Kenya?? So far, I have noted many differences from Kenyan culture as compared to American, such as them not typically eating dessert, or their different definition of what it means to be on time. I find these differences fascinating, and I cannot wait to discover and discuss these further as we continue the course! I am also looking forward to the actual school visits, as I am the most unfamiliar with what it’s like to work in a classroom out of all of my classmates on the trip.

Today, though, we did something absolutely spectacular, too — we got to visit an elephant orphanage! Sheldrick Wildlife Trust operates a rehabilitation center that cares for young elephants that were orphaned (e.g., through their mothers’ death) in the wild, too young to fend for themselves. I learned today that elephants need their mother’s milk to survive for the first two years of their lives — much longer than the average human! They currently have 22 baby elephants that they feed large bottles of baby formula every 3 hours round the clock. As they informed us during our visit, it can be quite difficult to milk a wild elephant, so they just stick to the human stuff. Once they are old enough, the workers begin to introduce the orphans to a herd of wild elephants over time until they are able to develop a relationship, at which time they are able to release them back into Tsavo East National Park.

Some animals, though, such as their two rhinos — Raha and Maxwell — are injured in such a way that they may not leave Sheldrick the way the elephants often do. Raha, a 21-month old black rhino, was attacked by hyenas at a young age, and lost her tail as well as her ability to eat a normal diet. But, thanks to the orphanage, she is now progressing quite well, and has resumed a normal feeding routine, though she remains small for her age. Maxwell is an adult rhino who was found out in the wild struggling due to his blindness. He doesn’t come down to play with the visitors but is yet another animal that has been nursed back to health by Sheldrick’s helpers.

Luckily for us, all 22 elephants and baby Raha came out to play during our visit, and we all were able to snap some truly adorable photos and videos as they ran by. Plus, a handful of us were lucky enough to get to touch a few of them, too! Many of my fellow students and I agreed that elephants do NOT feel how you would think they do — they are unexpectedly hairy! I really enjoyed my time learning all about the elephant and rhino rehabilitation process and being able to end off by adopting my very own baby rhino! A few of my classmates adopted elephants, which we all agreed was a great way to support the orphanage’s ability to feed the animals.

After we all had a blast at the orphanage, we enjoyed presentations from Kenya speakers Michael Orwa, Leonard Mwangangi, and Mike Kipkorir Bill, who discussed the basics and intricacies of the Kenyan education system and its recent switch to a competency-based curriculum (CBC). I learned a lot about the implementation process, as well as why these plans often struggle to succeed. I’m sure I’ll continue building on these ideas as we move forward, and I’m excited to see what comes next! For now, ending the night with a delicious, authentic Kenyan meal at Amaica was a great way to go. 

DAY 6: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Christin Patterson.

Name: Christin Patterson

Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Year and Program of Study: 2nd year master’s student – Art Education

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because I am very interested in Kenyan art education and if / how they teach art in other countries. I’m also interested in different cultures and ways of living and am grateful that I get to experience the Kenyan way of life.

I love homecooked Kenyan food! I think I have had the best rice and beans of my life and love the way they prepare things like spinach, cabbage, and other basic vegetables like carrots, broccoli and green beans. The children of Ugweri are fascinated with our group. Many of them have never seen a white person before and want to touch our skin to see if it feels the same as theirs. They love to touch our hair as it is very different than theirs and describe it as very soft, long, and smelling good! One child was fascinated by a mole I have on my arm, and I tried very hard to explain to her what it was; I fear that I failed miserably!

I find it interesting that Kenyans don’t keep time in the same way Americans do. From an American perspective, it’s hard to understand how they get things done efficiently. I also feel incredibly peaceful because there is no rushing around. They appreciate life and are present in each moment.

I am looking forward to petting and seeing a giraffe as well as staying at The Ark and seeing other animals native to Kenya.

Recap of Today’s Activities: Today, we went to Ugweri Primary and Secondary Schools. Things started off early with an assembly at the secondary school. Upon arriving, we went to the teachers’ room and met all the student teachers from the University of Embu and the teachers from the secondary school. We had introductions and talked about our various disciplines. Following this, we participated in the secondary school’s assembly that included announcements and morning prayers and then we were introduced to the students.  Then, based on academic interest, we were placed in content areas at either the primary or secondary school. All of us taught or observed in the classes assigned for several hours with a tea break and then lunch. The cooks at the school prepared a delicious meal for everyone. After lunch, we either worked on our assigned reading or went back to our classrooms to finish the day. We had an afternoon class at Peter’s home and enjoyed a group dinner at one of our host family homes.

DAY 7: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Sienna Scaglione.

Name: Sienna Scaglione 

Hometown: Douglassville, PA

Year and Program of Study: I am a rising junior double majoring in Biology and Secondary Education. 

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because due to the fact that I am a double major, I do not have the chance to go abroad during the school year. I also want to experience the difference education systems and learn new things that I can bring back to America with me. 

Some things I have observed thus far are the students are so respectful of each other and of the teachers. They clap for each other when they get the correct answer, they all play together, and they are very welcoming. Also, I have observed that the students are extremely engaged each day and come to school wanting to learn new things. 

I find it interesting that each school day everyone takes a tea and porridge break. The students sit outside as they enjoy their 20-minute break from class. Once they are done, they wash their own bowls outside and return to the next class. Furthermore, I find it interesting how the kids keep themselves busy when school is done. You often see many groups of kids playing outside, riding bikes, or walking through the villages. Many have handmade balls and stick games that they have made to play with as well. 

I am looking forward to continuing to learn more things from each student. They have taught me so much already, and I am excited for being able to teach them a lesson of my own during school on Wednesday. 

Recap of Today’s Activities: Today, we went to Ugweri Primary and Secondary Schools for our second day. We got to the schools around 8 am, where the biology teacher allowed me to teach her classes for today. I had the pleasure of teaching osmosis and diffusion. We then joined the students for their tea break and had lunch at the school. We all spent the rest of the day at the school teaching in our specific subject areas. We then had an afternoon class at Peter’s home. Following class, we played with the kids around the village outside until dark. We ended the day with a group dinner at one of our host family homes, and we were off to bed for our big teaching day tomorrow!

DAY 8: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Sofia Giglio.

Name: Sofia Giglio

Hometown: Westchester, New York

Year and Program of Study: Upcoming senior studying Inclusive elementary and special education

I am so excited to be participating in this Kenya study abroad program as I have already learned so much and cannot wait to learn more throughout the trip! I involved myself in this experience because I wanted to immerse myself in an abroad journey that is different from most, and truly focuses on my interests, which is education. I have enjoyed my time student teaching at many schools in Syracuse and I am so grateful I get to experience it in Kenya.

Some things I have observed thus far is how welcoming this community is to our group. There is so much excitement when the students see our group, leading to many high fives, friendly hellos, and warm hugs. I have also observed that students behave much differently than students I have taught in America; there seems to be a different degree of respect. Even when there is no teacher in the classroom, students will sit and be silent as soon as you instruct them to do so.

I find it interesting that students get so many breaks and do not really follow a schedule at the primary school. This allows for a less stressful and more relaxed environment, but also leaves room for no orderly conduct and less learning time.

I am looking forward to going to the Izaak Walton Inn tomorrow morning and seeing the swimming pool and fitness center! I am also very excited for the walking safari on Saturday.

Recap of Today’s Activities: Today, there was no actual class for the students as they started their break today, but we asked the students who wanted to come in to join us for multiple blocks of learning activities that are hosted by myself and my classmates with the help of our professors and the school staff. We arrived at the secondary school at 8:05 am and engaged in the assembly that explained the instructions of how today would work for the students. There were four blocks where students get to go to each one for 35 minutes. The blocks consisted of a question and answer session, dance and martial arts, a geometry scavenger hunt, and kickball. My block was kickball, so my group and I hosted and participated in two kickball games per block. Students did not know what kickball was, so we explained the game to them. After some demonstration and practice play, the students really got the hang of kickball and were super competitive and excited when playing. After every group of students participated in each block, we had tea with the teachers and Jeff, Joanna, and some students from our group helped plant trees in the school yard. Next, we all got an opportunity to go to a student’s house and have them show us their home. Sienna, Andrew, and I went to two students’ homes and had the chance to see their farm and farm animals. We were able to hold chicks and take pictures with the sheep! We met back at Peter’s home and then stopped to get lunch on our way to a beautiful waterfall. On our way home, we stopped to get some ingredients for tonight’s dinner. The group and I contributed to cooking dinner for everyone tonight; we made pasta and vodka sauce!

DAY 9: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Mason Burley.

Name: Mason Burley

Hometown: Webster, New York

Year and Program of Study: Rising Sophomore studying Social Studies Secondary Education and History

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because I am fascinated by learning about the education system of Kenya. As a young pre-teacher, I want to learn as much as I can about teaching, educational practices, and the culture around education. I’m extremely honored to be able to participate in such an incredible program like this, and I plan on using these experiences in my own classroom.

Some things I have observed thus far include the vast educational differences between Kenyan schools and American schools, the sense of belonging and community, and the beautiful natural environment that surrounds us. Before this trip, I had never spent time teaching students, and have had very little experience observing classroom  procedure. Now, a week in, I’ve taught seven separate lessons to Kenyan students! This was the biggest difference to see, especially because in the United States, no education student would simply be thrown into the middle of a lesson, but instead would slowly be acclimated to the fast-paced nature of the profession. During this trip, I and the group have befriended many of the school children, both secondary and primary. We developed very close relationships with them, especially ones that lived in the same community as the women’s home stay. We took walks with them, played volleyball and soccer, and met some of their families. We truly all felt as if we were members of their communities/ families. Lastly, I’ve observed some incredible nature in both Ugweri and Nairobi. From the waterfall in Runyenjes, to the Nairobi National Park, and then the Kiambethu Tea Farm. Each experience was unique, beautiful, and incredibly special.

I find the differences between the Lions Primary/Junior Secondary School and the Ugweri Primary School interesting. Lions, a private institution, was laid out in such a way that fosters both social and academic growth, while maintaining cultural norms and traditions. Each classroom had tile floors, each floor was equipped with running water and updated washrooms, and electricity was readily available and accessible to each student. Students additionally had access to a computer lab that was equipped with computers for roughly 40 students at a time. Ugweri Primary, a public institution, is not equipped with the same facilities as Lions. Ugweri Primary is split up into only a few separate buildings, each with basic equipment such as chalk boards, chalk, and pencils/notebooks. There is no computer lab, there is no central location for students to work/play/hang out, and facilities are outdated and decaying. What I find interesting is that these schools, roughly only half an hour away from each other, have incredibly different cultures, teaching capabilities, and facilities. This reminds me a lot of my home city and how schools/school districts are vastly different despite being only a few miles away. What is interesting to finally learn is that these problems are not country specific. No matter where we are in the world, economic, social, and political issues will always arise, and unfortunately, will always affect education.

I am looking forward to learning more about the educational experiences of Kenyan children and how teachers are taught to instruct students. Additionally, I am looking forward to seeing the boys’ residence halls at Kangaru, something that we did not see on our initial visit!

Recap of Today’s Activities: Today, we traveled from our home stays in Ugweri to Embu, where we are currently staying at the Izaak Walton Inn. We traveled to Kangaru School (an Extra-County public boys’ boarding school), where we received a tour from the deputy principal of the school. The school has about 1620 students. We toured several classrooms, the staff room, the library, the dining hall, the kitchen, and the main administrative rooms. We learned about the difference between the “levels” of Kenyan schools and how each is funded. From Kangaru, we checked in at Izaak Walton Inn and had lunch. Lunch was served “buffet style” with several options available. As someone who loves food, I have to say this was one of the better dining experiences on this trip! After lunch, we traveled to Lions School. This school has a nursery school, primary school, and junior secondary school (grades 6-8) and a total of around 740 students. Since the second term in Kenya started a week late due to flooding in some parts of the country, the half-term break was shifted and occurred during our time in Embu. Thus, while we were able to visit the schools, there were no classes in session. Similar to Kangaru, we toured the campus of Lions, which included staff offices, a computer lab, academic rooms, and several classrooms. It was very interesting to see the difference between two schools as well as how the faculties compared to Ugweri Primary and Secondary. Upon returning to Izaak Walton, we had a class meeting in the late afternoon, and each presented on our first reflection assignment focusing on how teachers in Kenya make use of locally available resources. The undergraduates ate together with Joanna and had a lovely meal accompanied by laughs and stories. Elena needs more sleep! 

DAY 11: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Etije Walker.

Name: Etije Mehdori Walker 

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Year and Program of Study: 3rd Year PhD in Cultural Foundations of Education

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because I wanted to learn how Kenya schools operated after being in the American school system. This opportunity presented a unique chance to immerse myself in a different educational environment and observe firsthand the teaching methods, curriculum structures, and classroom dynamics that define the Kenyan education system. By engaging with students, teachers, and administrators in Kenya, I hoped to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, social, and economic factors that shape their approach to education.

Ultimately, this experience is not just about academic curiosity but also about fostering global understanding and collaboration. By learning from the Kenyan school system, I hope to contribute to a more inclusive and holistic approach to education in the United States. Sharing these insights with educators and policymakers back home could spark meaningful discussions and inspire positive changes that benefit students across both countries.

Some things I have observed thus far are … 

·  Language is not a barrier for relationship building 

·  Education remains unequal even in Kenya 

I find it interesting that elephants walk all night and only sleep 6 hrs a day. 

I am looking forward starting a pen pal program between students in Syracuse, NY and Ugweri Primary School Students. 

Recap of Today’s Activities: We embarked on a 2-hour journey from Embu to Nyeri, culminating in our arrival at the Aberdare Country Club. Once there, we set off on a one-hour nature walk, during which we were delighted to observe zebras and giraffes roaming freely in their natural surroundings. Following the invigorating walk, we enjoyed the beautiful grounds of the Aberdare Country Club and ate lunch. We boarded a bus for a 45-minute ride to The Ark in the Aberdare National Park. At The Ark, we were fortunate to witness a majestic herd of 20 elephants as well as numerous wart hogs, also known as pumbas, adding to the day's memorable wildlife encounters. We saw numerous birds, buffalo, giant forest hogs, genet cats, and a bush baby.

DAY 12: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Andrew Sturgess.

Name: Andrew Sturgess

Hometown: Quakertown, PA

Year and Program of Study: Junior double major studying Biology and Secondary Education

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because I wanted to get an understanding of education abroad from the States. I am a dual citizen with the United Kingdom and have tentative plans of teaching abroad in the future. With Kenya being a former British colony, I figured it would have a mixture of their own educational system and that of the British.

So far on this trip my eyes have been drawn to the cohesiveness of the Kenyan community and culture. Unlike in the States, everyone here seems to hold a common respect for each other. The country still has its conflicts, which has been outlined by the political fallout that we’ve seen while we have been here. However, these conflicts tend to be between the citizens and their corrupt government, rather than between two sets of citizens.       

I find it interesting that even the older people in Kenya seem to appreciate the upcoming generations and their political activism. In the States, a lot of young adults are silenced by older generations because they’re thought to know less, yet here they are pushed to the forefront.

I am looking forward to getting back into the schools over these next two days as we prepare to conclude the trip. The first school we went to was on the opposite side of the socio-economic spectrum from the schools we will see this week, so I think it will be a good opportunity to see those contrasting systems.

Recap of Today’s Activities: After waking from our night at The Ark in the Aberdare National Park at 6:30 in the morning to the sound of a xylophone being paraded through the halls, the group got a quick breakfast and hopped back on the bus to the Aberdare Country Club. We then headed off to the Mt. Kenya Conservancy to tour their animal orphanage. We were greeted by free roaming llamas, an ostrich, and some not so friendly monkeys. The tour then wrapped around exhibits including lionesses, cheetahs and more monkeys. After the trip to the orphanage, we stopped at a nearby trout farm for some lunch. The fish tasted extremely fresh and was very well cooked. I and some of my fellow students were able to drop below the dining deck at the farm to get a look at the large tanks of trout that they were farming, which was a cool sight to see. We then hopped back on the bus to head back to the hotel, but first needed to stop by the store because a few of us wanted to grab some sweets before heading home for the night. Now back at the hotel, we are enjoying a relaxing night where some students are getting treated by the spa and others (like me) will be attempting to find a way to watch the England football match tonight. 

DAY 13: Today's blog entry text is contributed by Phoebe Weigand.

Name: Phoebe Weigand

Hometown: Chittenango, New York

Year and Program of Study: I am in my final year of achieving my Masters in School Counseling.

I am participating in the Kenya study abroad experience because I would like to gain different perspectives and strategies for supporting diverse populations within the education system. I would like to share best practices with the school counselors in the schools we visit.

Some things I have I observed thus far are the students have great discipline in prioritizing their education.

I find it interesting that regardless of the students’ access to resources, their perseverance in continuously striving for success is inspiring. The students show up to school every day ready to learn.

I am looking forward to learning what theoretical approaches the school counselors utilize to support their students and why they chose them.

Recap of Today’s Activities: Today, we spent the morning with student at Millbrook International School. The head teacher provided us with a history of how the school came to fruition. Several Syracuse University students were able to observe and/or teach a lesson to students in areas such as science and art. All of the teachers were extremely welcoming, creating a smooth transition for the SU students into the classroom. Afterwards, the SU students took a tour of the University of Embu campus where Dr. Rugano facilitated breakout sessions with SU students and University of Embu students around the different aspects of the education system in Kenya. In the afternoon in our class discussions, we talked about some of the challenges and opportunities that we have observed over the last 10 days in our school visits and talks from Kenyans. In the evening, the University of Embu Vice Chancellor hosted a dinner for Syracuse University professors and students to celebrate renewing the Memorandum of Understanding that was first signed in July 2018, recap the history of how the relationship between the universities began, as well as continue conversations about how the universities can continue to collaborate with each other.