SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL HEALTH (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 Health
  • Study Abroad Destination: Kenya
  • 2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (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

Engage with global health challenges in Kenya
This Summer program offers an intensive, eight-week academic and experiential learning pathway for students seeking both a strong theoretical foundation and sustained applied practice in global health. By combining two complementary, credit-bearing courses, the program supports students as they move from conceptual learning into professional, field-based engagement.

The program begins with a Global Field Engagement, a three-week course introducing core global health concepts, systems, and ethical frameworks through coursework, field-based learning, and community-engaged experiences. Students then continue into the Global Health, a four-week placement-based course in which they work in supervised teams with local host organizations on defined health-related projects. Together, the two courses form a cohesive learning arc that emphasizes academic rigor, ethical engagement, cultural intelligence, and professional skill development.
Program Highlights
  • Coursework grounded in global health theory, systems thinking, and ethics
  • Community-engaged learning and field-based exploration during the first phase
  • Supervised group practicum placements with local host organizations
  • Ongoing mentorship from GEI faculty and host organization supervisors
  • Weekly colloquiums, guided reflection, and cultural activities
  • Final presentations and comprehensive written project reporting
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Health track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit program spanning eight weeks over a summer. Students undergo a transformative learning journey, engaging with critical global issues through an interdisciplinary approach. The program structure includes two main courses, both in Kenya, and a capstone project, delivered in a sequence that builds from theoretical understanding to practical, hands-on experience. This progression ensures that students not only learn about global issues but also apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Learning Outcomes
By program's end, students will:
  • Demonstrate deep understanding of global and local health challenges - such as disease burden, systems, and governance
  • Apply interdisciplinary frameworks and practical skills to real-world health settings
  • Develop cultural competence and ethical awareness within Kenyan health contexts
  • Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary and community-based partners
  • Present a polished digital portfolio illustrating their professional and academic progression
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

The Full Summer Global Health Program in Kenya is defined by its intentional progression from academic exploration to applied professional practice. During the first phase, students build a shared foundation in global health by examining key themes such as disease burden, health systems, mental health, maternal and child health, and migration - while situating these topics within Kenya’s social, cultural, and institutional context.

Field-based learning and community-engaged activities allow students to connect theory with lived realities, emphasizing ethical engagement and systems-level understanding rather than isolated interventions. These experiences prepare students for the transition into the practicum phase, where learning shifts from analysis to application.
In the second phase, students participate in structured practicum placements with local host organizations, working in small teams on clearly defined health-related projects. Placements are supervised and aligned with students’ academic background and skills, offering exposure to professional workflows, collaboration with local peers, and insight into how global health work is carried out in practice.

Throughout the summer, weekly colloquiums and guided reflection sessions provide continuity across both courses. These sessions encourage critical reflection on ethics, cultural dynamics, teamwork, and professional development, helping students synthesize experience and academic learning. Final presentations and written reports ensure students leave with both substantive field experience and the ability to articulate that experience in academic and professional contexts.
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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

April 1, 2026

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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