UMW in Kenya

Wildlife Conservation

Program Dates

December 27 — January 8

Winter Break 2020-2021

Registration

View cancellation policy.

Program Fees

$5,152

$500 deposit due upon registration.
Final $4,652 due October 1, 2020.

Included

Round-trip international airfare
Airport transfers and ground transportation
Housing and accommodations
Some meals
Guided tours and associated entrance fees
International health insurance
UMW Education Abroad fee

NOT Included

UMW tuition (may be part of your Fall 2020 course load)
Kenya eVisa (required)
Some meals
Personal expenses
Supplemental meals or snacks
Souvenirs
Immunizations and medications (required)

Health Information

International travel may require immunizations or preventative medicines. Please refer to the US Center for Disease Control’s Traveler’s Health Information Page for recommendations. The UMW Health Center provides free travel consultations by appointment, as well as travel information for UMW students. The Center for International Education recommends that each student have a personalized medical consultation prior to international travel.

This program includes moderate-to-rigorous hiking through uneven terrain and significant walking.

This winter break program, led by Dr. Andrew Dolby, provides a unique hands-on international learning opportunity for students interested in wildlife conservation. Students will actively engage with prominent Kenyan conservation programs, facilities, and nature preserves whose common mission is to protect the Maasai Mara ecosystem’s world-renowned wildlife. The itinerary will include visits to:

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, which intensively protects the highly endangered northern white rhino
Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute
Kenya Birds of Prey Trust
Maasai Mara National Reserve

Accommodations

Accommodation in double or triple-occupancy rooms in hotels and lodges.

Coursework

In addition to the program travel during Winter Break, students will enroll in the Spring 2021 course BIOL 471A6 for 4 credits. The course will meet weekly for the first 8 weeks of the spring semester following the in-country portion of the course.

This course satisfies the Experiential Learning OR Global Inquiry general education requirement by contract with the Faculty Director only.

Requirements & Prerequisites

Introduction to Ecology and Evolution (BIOL 210) is a prerequisite for this course. Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in order to participate. This program is open to all UMW students regardless of major or year of study. The trip is also open to non-UMW students. Enrollment in BIOL 471A6 is NOT required for non-UMW students who are not seeking UMW academic credit

All travelers will be required to apply for and acquire a Kenya eVisa, approximately $125 (not included in program cost). More information on how to apply for the visa will come from Dr. Dolby following the registration deadline. Travelers should contact their personal health provider regarding vaccinations (yellow fever required, Hepatitis A, B, and Typhoid recommended) and anti-malarial medications (required).

Scholarships

Faculty-Led Program Scholarships are available to UMW students (deadlines apply).

Payment

See the program fees and payment due dates in the right column. Use the Make a Payment button below to pay your deposit and regular program payment. Use the Special Payment option to pay a special amount (such as additional insurance or payment in a different amount as a result of a scholarship award).

Online payees have the choice of either credit card or eCheck payment. Credit card payments will incur a 2.75% service fee. There is no service charge for eCheck payments.

UMW in Kenya | Wildlife Conservation