Educational Field Trip: Kenya

The Educational Field Trips provide some of the greatest learning experiences of studying abroad! In your courses and travels, you have gained insights about others’ cultures - their history, religion, art, and social systems. You have developed curiosity, empathy, and cultural humility. These insights and skills are refined when you fully immerse yourself in a place like Kenya.

Here are a few preparations:

1. MEDICATIONS and IMMUNIZATIONS (NOVEMBER)

While there are no mandatory immunizations that are required to enter Kenya, out of an abundance of caution we advise all students to:

• All students should be up-to-date with routine childhood immunizations: MMR, Varicella (chicken pox), Polio, TDAP, and influenza.

• Immunizations: none are mandatory to enter Kenya.  However, out of an abundance of caution the program strongly urges all students to follow the below recommendations provided by the program travel medicine doctor:

1. Secure an anti-malarial medication such as Malarone (Atovaquon+Proguanil).  Please avoid old school medications such as Mefloquine which can cause insomnia, panic attacks, and night terrors).  You can secure Malarone by visiting your family doctor or local travel clinic.

2. Consider getting the yellow fever and Hepatitis A immunizations. These are valuable to have for all international travel, so please discuss them with your doctor. 

To get the immunizations through the Switzerland Program:

• The Program will arrange an appointment at the clinic in Vevey with a doctor who specializes in Travel Medicine.

• You must sign up for an appointment by FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21. Please note that in Switzerland medical appointments are binding (meaning they must be paid for even if you do not attend).

• Bring your immunization card(s) to Switzerland with you - the doctor will want to know your vaccination history.

• This is not covered by the program’s insurance, so you will have pay for these (click here for the costs).

If you would like to get the immunizations in an alternative way - at a clinic at home or on your own in Switzerland - please click here. We do not recommend these alternatives, because students often intend to get the immunizations on their own, do not follow through, and then are panicked as they run out of time.

2. Transformation QUESTIONNAIRE (ORIENTATION)

All students should complete their Transformation Questionnaire during orientation.

3. ETA FORM (JANuary 19)

ONE student representative from each château room will apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization for their group to visit Kenya during the January 19 meeting.

A.  Apply online - follow this step-by-step guide (this will cost $32.50 / person).

B. When your authorization is emailed to you, upload it to this folder.

4. ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FORM (JANuary 19)

All students should complete their Engagement Opportunities Form during the January 19 meeting.

5. MEAL selection FORM (JANuary 19)

All students must submit their Meal Selection Form during the January 19 meeting.

6. ROOMMATe Preference FORM (JANuary 19)

If you would like to select a roommate during the EFT, please fill out the Roommate Preference Form during the January 19 meeting.

7. CURRENCY (FebRUARY 2, by 10 pm)

Kenya uses Kenyan Shilling (KES) for its currency. As of November 2025, the exchange rate is 1 CHF = 160 KES.

If you would like to purchase KES in advance of departure, this must be done on the website store before February 2 at 10:00 pm (CET). All purchases made after this date will be refunded.

8. PACKING

*Temperatures: expect average highs of 80 ̊ F and lows of 60 ̊ F. Consult your weather app for the most up-to-date forecast.

**Clothing: as Kenyan culture is much more culturally conservative with regards to clothing, all students cannot wear exercise clothing (sweats, yoga pants, etc.) or clothing which reveals shoulders, midriff, or legs.