INTERNSHIP ABROAD PROGRAM

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SOCIAL INNOVATION

A 4- to 8-credit internship in Kenya

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Internship Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation
  • Intern Abroad Destination: Kenya
  • Dates (2027): June 3-July 2, June 3-July 16, June 3-July 30, flexible (year-round)
  • Credit: 4 to 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 to 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Build real-world impact in Nairobi's social enterprise ecosystem
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Internship places students and early-career professionals inside one of Africa's most dynamic startup and social enterprise scenes. With a 4-, 6-, or 8-week placement earning 4, 6, or 8 U.S. academic credits, participants work alongside vetted Nairobi-based organizations solving real challenges in areas like clean energy, sustainable sanitation, cleantech, and inclusive business.

Beyond the placement itself, the program surrounds interns with a fuller experience: professional development visits across Nairobi's "Silicon Savannah", mentorship from working practitioners, and cultural and community immersion. Through hands-on, project-driven work and guided reflection, participants build practical skills, intercultural competence, and the entrepreneurial mindset to lead change - all while contributing meaningfully to their host organization.
Program Highlights
  • Placement with a vetted Kenyan social enterprise or startup, matched to your background and interests
  • Professional development and site visits across Nairobi's entrepreneurship and social innovation ecosystem
  • Cultural and community immersion, from Kenya's landscapes to living Maasai heritage
  • Mentorship, structured reflection sessions, and a capstone portfolio demonstrating your project outputs and growth
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation Internship is a professional placement spanning four, six, or eight weeks, preceded by pre-program eLearning and pre-departure preparation. It gives students and early-career professionals the opportunity to develop and apply their skills within Kenya's fast-growing social enterprise and startup ecosystem.

Participants are placed with a vetted Nairobi-based organization working at the intersection of business and social impact - across fields such as clean energy, circular economy and waste, cleantech, agritech, fintech, and inclusive business. Interns are matched based on their level of study, skills, and career goals, with a customized placement plan developed in advance.

Throughout the program, interns are supported by a structured framework: an on-arrival orientation to Kenya's culture and workplace context, professional development visits across Nairobi's entrepreneurship ecosystem, a weekly classroom or field session with interdisciplinary training, and a weekly formal supervisory meeting with their host organization.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
  • Apply entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary knowledge through direct project work with a Kenyan social enterprise
  • Analyze how mission-driven ventures design, finance, and scale business models that deliver measurable social impact
  • Demonstrate cultural adaptability and effective collaboration within diverse professional team settings
  • Reflect on ethical engagement, reciprocity, and organizational practice in Kenyan contexts
  • Communicate effectively with supervisors, mentors, and peers across cultural environments
  • Develop a professional digital portfolio evidencing global competency, entrepreneurial skill, and demonstrated impact
Further Details
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PROGRAM LOCATION: KENYA

The powerhouse of the East African Community, Kenya is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. From the white sandy beaches and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean to volcanic mountains in the Great Rift Valley. From the vast savannahs to the lacustrine highlands near Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake on the continent. Cultural traditions converge in Kenya, making it a dynamic and vibrant place to visit and experience.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Kenya is a vibrant East African hub, where dynamic city life meets some of the continent's most breathtaking landscapes.

Your time here reaches well beyond the workplace. Starting in Nairobi, you'll explore energetic markets, visit the National Museum, and see the country's celebrated conservation work at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Giraffe Centre. Just minutes from downtown, Nairobi National Park lets you spot lions, rhinos, and giraffes against the city skyline - no other capital in the world has a national park at its doorstep.

Kenya's heritage runs deep. Walk the historic grounds of the Karen Blixen Estate, discover the traditions of the country's 40-plus communities, and encounter the living culture of the Maasai through beadwork, music, and storytelling.
On weekends, the country opens up. Take a safari in Amboseli National Park beneath the snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro, follow the great herds of the legendary Maasai Mara, unwind on the white-sand beaches of Diani, or explore the Great Rift Valley around Lake Naivasha and Hell's Gate.

For the adventurous, climb Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak, or raft the white water at Sagana. And for food lovers, Kenyan cuisine is a fusion of African, Indian, and Middle Eastern influences - from smoky nyama choma (grilled meat) to street-food favorites like samosas and chapati, best discovered through a local market visit and cooking class.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4+ weeks in Kenya. For this time, GEI Kenya offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:

  • Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
  • University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
  • Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities


Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

June 3-July 2, 2027
June 3-July 16, 2027
June 3-July 30, 2027
Year-round (4+ weeks)

March 1, 2027
March 1, 2027
March 1, 2027
3 months prior to program start

US $2,850 (4 weeks)
US $3,950 (6 weeks)
US $5,050 (8 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core program team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Country Director, Kenya
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Director, Entrepreneurship Track
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Director, Academic Affairs
Sondra Schreiber, MA
Director, Partnership Development

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