SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (KENYA)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Engineering
  • Study Abroad Destination: Kenya
  • Summer Dates: June 1-July 24, 2026 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
  • Eligibility: Any field and level of study

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Engineering change where it matters most
The Global Engineering summer program in Kenya is an 8-week, 8-credit immersive experience that empowers students to apply engineering knowledge in real-world settings - while driving positive social change. Rooted in GEI’s commitment to ethical and community-centered learning, this interdisciplinary program is designed for students from across the engineering spectrum and related fields - whether in civil, mechanical, environmental, biomedical, or technological disciplines.

Kenya’s diverse development landscape offers an ideal context to explore how engineering can address global challenges in public health, infrastructure, sustainability, and equitable access to essential services. Through a blend of classroom learning, field immersion, and hands-on project work, students gain critical insight into how technical innovation can serve the greater good.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Understand the intersections of engineering, sustainability, and social development in East Africa.
  • Community-engaged projects: Collaborate with grassroots organizations and local peers to co-create solutions with lasting impact.
  • Experiential approach: Transition from theory to application through guided fieldwork, cultural immersion, and reflection.
  • Leadership preparation: Build critical global competencies and a digital portfolio showcasing your growth and contributions.
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
This comprehensive summer program combines foundational academic content with experiential learning and community-based application. It’s structured to develop both the technical and intercultural skills necessary for engineers who aim to work in global and interdisciplinary contexts.

The program is composed of two core courses and a digital portfolio:
Students earn 8 U.S. credits and leave with an enhanced capacity to think systemically, act ethically, and engineer for equity.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will:

  • Apply interdisciplinary knowledge to real-world development challenges in engineering.
  • Design and evaluate sustainable, community-driven engineering solutions in diverse contexts.
  • Collaborate effectively in multicultural, multidisciplinary teams.
  • Communicate engineering outcomes through professional written, visual, and oral formats.
  • Reflect critically on their role as ethical and culturally responsive global engineers.
  • Develop key leadership competencies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development framework.
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: 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

Start in Nairobi
Kenya’s capital is a regional hub for innovation, sustainability, and public infrastructure. Students are introduced to the country’s development landscape through guided visits to local initiatives, engineering-focused organizations, and community-driven enterprises. You’ll get a firsthand look at how Kenyan changemakers use limited resources to drive scalable solutions.

Field visits and cultural immersion
During both academic blocks, students engage with a range of field sites in both urban and rural settings. Expect meaningful encounters with local engineers, university partners, and NGOs focused on infrastructure, water, sanitation, and energy. Activities may include community mapping, collaborative design sessions, and project assessments in partnership with host organizations.

Weekend exploration
To round out the academic experience, students also have opportunities to explore Kenya’s stunning natural and cultural heritage. From safaris in the Great Rift Valley to hiking, rafting, and coastal getaways, these activities provide space for bonding, reflection, and contextual understanding of place.

Everyday life, Kenyan style
Enjoy authentic East African hospitality through locally-run accommodations and shared meals. Taste Kenya’s culinary staples - from chapati and ugali to vibrant Swahili stews and tropical fruits - and engage in informal conversations that make your learning experience deeply personal.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 8 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

Summer 2026 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (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 team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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