Kenya: Global Health and Human Rights Fall 2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COUNTRY OVERVIEW ...... 3 GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 3 CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY ...... 3 LOCAL CUSTOMS...... 3 DIET ...... 4 SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH ...... 4 HOMESTAYS...... 5 OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS ...... 5 TRANSPORTATION ...... 6 COMMUNICATION ...... 6 PHONES AND E-MAIL ...... 6 MAILINGS ...... 7 MONEY ...... 7 VISITORS AND FREE TIME ...... 9 PACKING GUIDELINES ...... 11 CLOTHING GUIDELINES ...... 11 EQUIPMENT ...... 12 COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS ...... 13 GIFTS ...... 13 WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY ...... 14 ALUMNI CONTACTS ...... 14 PACKING LIST ...... 15

SIT Study Abroad - 2 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020

COUNTRY OVERVIEW

linguistically and ethnic diverse, representing the GENERAL INFORMATION cultural variation of Kenya and the East African Kenya is a country of natural beauty and region. diversity: from the snowy peaks of Mount Kenya to the Indian Ocean coast and from lush green CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY coffee and tea fields to the seemingly endless Kenya lies astride the equator, but due to inland savannah - home to an amazing variety of altitude and offshore coastal winds, the weather wildlife. The people of Kenya are also diverse is surprisingly temperate in Nairobi and the with more than 65 different ethnic groups and surrounding highlands. The main rainy season is nearly 70 languages. The main ethnic groups during April- May with a second, lesser, one in derive from Bantu-speakers who migrated from October and November. western Africa; the Nilotic and Nilo-Hamitic peoples, who originated in Sudan; and the Afro- Kisumu and the coastal and lake areas are, Asiatic group, who were mainly pastoral tribes conversely, quite hot and humid most of the from present-day Ethiopia and Somalia. Peoples time. Even when the temperature is in the 80s, from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East the humidity makes it feel much hotter. and Europe are settled throughout Kenya, forming significant communities.

Kenya’s official language is English and the KISUMU: AVERAGE HIGH/LOW national language is Kiswahili. Economically, TEMPERATURES (°F) the population is divided among rural JAN FEB MAR APR MAY pastoralists, farmers, urban dwelling office workers and business people. Kenya’s chief 87/74 87/75 86/75 83/74 82/73 industry is tourism, while its exports include SEPT OCT NOV DEC coffee, tea, pyrethrum, flowers, fruits and, vegetables, including coconuts and cashews, 84/73 87/74 86/74 85/74 and clothing, which is manufactured in several export-processing zones around the country. LOCAL CUSTOMS Local customs will be explained in greater detail The SIT program in Kenya makes the most of during orientation and throughout the semester, the country’s demographic and geographical but here are a few to get you started: diversity, by introducing students to various cultural practices and ethnic groups, their unique o In Kenya, people greet each other before relationships to public health and human rights, beginning their conversation or request. The and to Kenya’s natural beauty. Throughout the standard greeting is “Hujambo?” and the inland or “upcountry” areas of Kenya, the response is “Sijambo.” It is polite to shake topography and physical features are diverse hands as well as to greet verbally. and striking, with extensive savannah o Respect is the foundation of Kenyan social punctuated by high mountain regions. Unlike the interactions. Younger people are expected to ancient settlements of the coast, with trading defer to elders and women are expected to towns dating back over 2000 years, Nairobi, appear humble. Naivasha in Kenya’s Rift Valley, Kisii and o Left-handedness is gaining acceptance but it Kisumu on Lake Victoria are relatively recent is still best to give and receive objects with urban areas and their more contemporary the right hand. development is clearly evident in their layout and o When invited for a meal in a local person’s architecture. All of Kenya’s cities are house, we recommend you eat with your

SIT Study Abroad - 3 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 right hand and always wash your hands food and eating communally (including with your before starting. host family) from the program experience. Please o It is polite to try all the different foods but you consider local diet seriously when selecting your do not necessarily have to eat them if you program of choice. Your admissions counselor is don’t like them. You can politely explain that a great resource in better understanding the local the taste is new to you and you’re not used diet. to it yet. o Finishing all the food on your plate is The main staple in much of Kenya is ugali, a stiff expected, we recommend that you take a porridge that is eaten, together with a sauce, at little at time. Food is often shared with other most meals. Tropical fruits and vegetables are relatives or neighbors and should not be wonderful in Kenya, so following a vegetarian wasted. However, do not be shy to ask your diet is not too difficult. Veganism, depending on host for seconds where food is available. the type of vegan commitment, is difficult but o When living with a local person, follow can be upheld in some parts of the country. In his/her lead in deciding where and when to general, students are expected to adapt to the go out at night. Follow the guidance of the culture they are in and to be prepared to remain senior female in any place where you stay. flexible in many ways, including eating habits. o Always wash your own underwear. In parts of Kenya, including the coast, rice, fish or meat curry, green vegetables (mchicha), beans, and millet are the popular staple foods. Some communities eat communally, although men and women in Muslim families may eat separately. Guests must always remember to wash their hands before eating and never to eat using their left hand.

In Kenya, antihistamines are easily accessible throughout the country if an unforeseen need arises.

SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH Maintaining good health is critical to having a successful semester. To help you do that, we DIET have provided Health Guidelines and SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning Requirements for your program. opportunities where students become embedded in their host community. As such, we strive to It is very important that you read the Health accommodate serious food allergies where Guidelines and Requirements document as possible but simply cannot ensure that all dietary early as possible and examine it with your restrictions or non-medically mandated diets can medical provider. The guidelines include be accommodated. recommended immunizations; a suggested calendar for immunizations and other Students are encouraged to participate in the prophylaxes; and valuable information on how to local food culture as a central aspect of daily life. avoid exposure to common carriers of disease. By trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss out on an important part of your host culture. Students are thoroughly briefed on safety Due to the unique living and learning community considerations during in-country orientation and central to all SIT programs, we cannot separate

SIT Study Abroad - 4 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 are updated throughout the semester if and although significantly shorter, will provide you when circumstances change. For information with a glimpse into the lives of Kenyans who live regarding safety and security, emergency in the village of Semenya. During the Kisumu communications, SIT policies, accident and homestay, you will be living in the homes of the illness insurance, and general program tips, Luo community most probably. Please take please read the Safety, Security, and Health note that some homestays have limited facilities; document and Student Handbook. therefore, you could be asked to share a room

with another family member. Water and HOMESTAYS electricity are limited, so please be prepared to As many SIT Study Abroad alumni will tell you, use them conservatively and to go without them the homestay experience can be one of the at times. Your academic director will provide you most rewarding and most challenging aspects of with further details about these issues when you the program. We hope you will come prepared are in-country. Also, please avoid using the for the experience and committed to moving family’s telephone during homestays, as it will beyond cultural immersion as you begin to place a financial burden on the family. question, distinguish, and analyze the host culture vis-à-vis your own culture and come to a deeper understanding of both.

Family structures vary in every culture. SIT Study Abroad values the diversity of homestay families, and your family may include a single mother of two small children or a large extended family with many people coming and going all the time. Additionally, please bear in mind that, in many countries, the idea of what constitutes a “home” may be different from what you expect. You will need to be prepared to adapt to a new life with a new diet, a new schedule, new people, and new priorities and expectations.

The program’s homestay coordinator will be responsible for placing students in homestays. These placements are made first based on health concerns, including any allergies or dietary needs, to the extent possible. Please note: in order to ensure the best fit for students and families, SIT may make final OTHER ACCOMMODATIONS adjustments to homestay placements after Other accommodations during the program student arrival in country. Therefore, SIT will include hostels, guest houses, private homes, or not provide information about your small hotels. While working on your Independent homestay family before you depart for the Study Project or internship, you might stay in a program. guest house, hotel, or possibly return to one of your host families, depending on the location of On this program, you will be staying in two your research. You must be very clear on the homestays: one in the urban area of Kisumu, location of your research, particularly in relation and a visit to Semenya in Kisumu County. The to traveling. Some areas are out-of-bounds for urban homestay will encourage you to fully ISP/internship activities and all ISP/internship immerse yourself as you are exposed to life and sites must be approved by your academic culture in an urban setting. The rural homestay, director. SIT will not cover your traveling costs to

SIT Study Abroad - 5 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 and from the area in which you plan to conduct passport is recommended whenever you are out your research, so budget accordingly. Your in Kenya. academic director will give you further details during orientation. For the excursion to Uganda and Rwanda, we will travel by road using a private van and the leave by plane from Kigali into the Nairobi TRANSPORTATION airport. In Kisumu, you will likely use public transport such as taxis or minivans called “matatus” or a COMMUNICATION “tuk tuk,” a three-wheeled vehicle with an While you may want to be in regular enclosed area for passengers common in communication with friends and family from Kisumu. The public transport systems do not home during the term abroad, please bear in have a central governing body or a website; you mind that different time zones, unreliable phone can get information about schedules from lines, and changing program activities can guesthouses or hotels. For matatus and city complicate communication. buses, passengers often pay their fare or buy It’s important to be clear with family and friends tickets directly from the conductors once on about your availability during the term. Many board. On long distance buses, you must buy students recommend making an appointment to your tickets from the bus company operators in call home or to receive a call. You should also consider the impact of constant communication advance or on the day of your departure. Drivers with friends and family at home on your cultural do not like to leave without a full load and so immersion. passengers usually have to wait until a vehicle is full. Matatus can also often be flagged down on the side of the road by people wanting to board. PHONES AND E-MAIL During the village stay, you can easily get As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and around on foot. It’s good practice to always carry security, all students are required to have a identification, especially when travelling working smart phone capable of making and internationally. Having a photocopy of your receiving both local and international calls throughout the duration of the program. For that

SIT Study Abroad - 6 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 purpose students are required to either (a) bring MAILINGS an open, unlocked smart phone from the U.S. to Unlike receiving a package here in the US, the program that is able to accept a local SIM receiving a package at your program site is card, and is compatible with and usable at the usually expensive and problematic. Customs program location, (b) work with the academic agents must inspect all packages and you, as director within the first week upon arrival in the recipient, are responsible for duty and country to purchase a smart phone locally, (c) storage fees. In addition, there are cases of bring a dual SIM smart phone, or (d) bring a smart items being lost in the mail or taking so long to phone with an international plan. During reach the recipient that the recipient is nearly orientation, with assistance from SIT Study back in the US by the time the items are Abroad staff, students will learn how to use their received. For these reasons, sending packages cellphone, how to purchase and use an should be done only for emergency situations. appropriate local SIM card, and how to acquire Additionally, sending valuables is highly minutes for calls and texting. SIT Study Abroad discouraged. requires that each student have a local number for communication with the homestay family and For this program, DHL services are available program staff. in country. Despite cheaper prices, reliance on the US Postal Service is not advised due to While we recognize that alternative delays and unreliability. When given the option, communication methods can be free or cheaper it’s always a good idea to send packages than cell service i.e. Facetime, Skype, certified and with a tracking number that allows WhatsApp, etc. those programs alone do not the sender to track the package. satisfy our need for regular communication with the local program staff and partners, nor do they Posted letters and packages should be sent to meet our emergency communication the following address: needs. Therefore, local cellular capacity on Student Name each student’s phone is required for the duration SIT Kenya: Global Health and Human Rights of the program. Students are required to SIT Study Abroad/ World Learning, maintain a minimum amount of phone Post Office Box 7286 – 40100 credits at all times for emergency calls. Full Kisumu compliance with this policy is expected KENYA The SIT program center provides internet [add student mobile number] access during posted hours. Skype is the verbal communication mode of choice in places where you can access the Internet. Skype calls from MONEY Kenya to the US are far cheaper than Skype In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program calls from the US to Kenya. Webcams usually fees cover room and board throughout the work but can weaken the signal and interfere program. When room and/or board are not taken with the connection. with the group, students will be given a stipend to cover related expenses. SIT will cover daily Although SIT does not provide email access to commuting costs, if any, and excursions that are students, there are an increasing number of part of the normal program itinerary. During the affordable Internet cafés in Kisumu, Nairobi, and ISP/internship, students will receive a stipend for Kigali. Once outside these towns, however, basic room and board only, based on the cost of Internet access is extremely limited. living at the program base. Any domestic travel, interpretation services, or supplies necessary for the ISP/internship are the

SIT Study Abroad - 7 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 students’ responsibility. Please plan banks, as well. Some students prefer ATM accordingly. machines, while others prefer exchanging dollars at a bank or foreign exchange bureau. ATM funds are available only in Kenyan It is advisable to bring your funds in various Shillings, though the exchange rate on ATM forms so that if there is a problem with one withdrawals is usually excellent. option you will still have access to money. The Kenya Shilling (abbreviated KES or Ksh) is the If you use a local cell phone while in Kenya, you local currency. You may also be able to access can store money on the phone and use it for your cash through ATMs (see below). Cash most purchases and exchanges. This service, (particularly in US$50 and US$100 known as m-pesa, is provided by Safaricom and denominations) is easier to exchange and gets a Airtel. It relieves you of the need to carry around better rate, but it cannot be replaced if lost or large amounts of cash and is a wonderful stolen. Smaller cash denominations fetch lower example of Kenyan innovation. rates than the larger bills. Make sure any cash you bring is in bills issued after the year 2004, Personal spending (from past as many places in East Africa will not accept student suggestions): $500- older bills. Cash is used for most daily $700 transactions and the use of checks, traveler’s Books, printing, supplies: $100 checks, and credit/debit cards for direct purchases is rare. Students will be paid their stipend through the M-Pesa money program. Up-front medical costs: $300 This means that you will need a local phone SIM Potential ISP/internship travel $25-200 card to open this account. The AD will help you expenses: to open such an account when you arrive. Visa: $50

Subscriber SIM Registration The service allows users to deposit money into an account stored on their cell phones, to send balances using PIN-secured SMS text Typical Internet café usage: $100 messages to other users, including sellers of goods and services, and to redeem deposits for regular money. Users are charged a small fee for sending and withdrawing money using the service.[3] M-Pesa is a branchless banking service; M-Pesa customers can deposit and $1,075- Estimated total: withdraw money from a network of agents that $1,450 includes airtime resellers and retail outlets acting as banking agents. If using a debit and/or credit card, you should

contact your bank and/or credit card companies A credit card is very useful for emergencies, regarding your travel plans. If you don’t inform medical or otherwise. It is recommended you these companies that you will be away, they will bring along a Visa card, which is more widely often assume the card has been lost or stolen accepted at ATMs than MasterCard and other and will put an immediate hold on the card. You credit cards. Students have reported having the should also check on costs of withdrawal, as greatest success using ATMs within Kisumu, these costs vary and can sometimes be very Nairobi, and Kigali at Barclays and Standard expensive. Renewing and receiving reissued Chartered Banks. However, MasterCard, credit and debit cards while on the program will American Express and Visa can usually be used be an expensive and highly inconvenient to obtain cash advances drawn from local

SIT Study Abroad - 8 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 process. Before you leave for your program, cause in program flow and group dynamics. please check the expiration dates on your cards Students should be sure that relatives and to ensure that they will not expire while you are friends are aware of this policy and that visits abroad. It is also very important that you make are scheduled for dates after the formal photocopies of all your debit/credit card conclusion of the program. Students will not be information and leave them with someone you excused from program components to attend to trust in case your card(s) is/are lost or stolen. visitors. See the Attendance and Participation

section of the Student Handbook. Above are suggestions for spending money during the program, including estimates for For safety reasons, some places in Kenya, such textbooks, ISP/internship-related expenses, as the north and north eastern areas such as medical expenses, personal spending, and gifts. Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and coastal areas of Figures are based on recent student Mombasa, Malindi, and Lamu, are currently off evaluations, though individual spending habits vary widely and these costs are averages. limits for travel and ISP/internship purposes. Additionally, students will not be permitted to A suggested total amount of money to budget conduct their ISPs/internships in other “no go” ranges from US$1,055 to $1,430. To determine areas, including the northeast and the Dadaab where you might fall in this range, please refugee settlement. Students are required to examine your spending habits during a typical choose ISP/internship sites at which they can be semester at your home school and consider any reached by telephone and they must be within a exceptional expenditures you may have on the 24-hour journey from the program office. In program, including travel costs for your planned addition to those listed above, several remote ISP/internship or a specific personal expense. areas are off-limits due to security concerns. Check current exchange rates: http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/ During the program, students follow an intense schedule of classes and field-based learning assignments, even during the ISP/internship. VISITORS AND FREE TIME Free time for pursuing an independent interest SIT strongly discourages and will not or hobby during the program will be limited. Your provide support for any visitors to students admissions counselor can advise you about during the term, due to the rigorous nature of particular interests you may have. For example, the program and the disruption that such visits if you must keep in shape for your next athletic

SIT Study Abroad - 9 Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 3/12/2020 season, or if you play a musical instrument and Opportunity for independent travel during the want to know whether to bring it, we can help program is limited and cannot be guaranteed you to understand your schedule and any due to the rigorous schedule and disruption concerns or limitations that may exist. Please independent travel may cause to semester note that you will not have a long break during responsibilities. Requests to travel the program, such as Thanksgiving or Spring independently will be considered on a case by Break. case basis by the academic director. Further details regarding the independent travel policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

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because you are American. In extreme cases, PACKING GUIDELINES failure to abide by established program rules of dress will result in disciplinary action. Your academic director will explain local conventions LUGGAGE in greater detail once you are in Kenya, but for Please pack lightly and include only necessary now you will need some guidelines as you pack items. You should be able to carry all your for the trip. Please read the following luggage significant distances on your own. Try paragraphs carefully and bear in mind that the to minimize both the number of bags and weight guidelines were developed by SIT students. of your bag(s) since you will likely be acquiring A small part of the program takes place in more belongings while abroad. Most students Nairobi, a cosmopolitan city of three million find that a large internal frame backpack and a people, some of them expatriates from Asia, smaller daypack or duffel bag are the most Europe, North America, and other African convenient choices of luggage. However, you countries. Nairobi is just over a mile above sea should also have a smaller bag to use for level. Because of its pleasant, dry climate, it carrying your books and personal items. You will hosts many international agencies, NGOs and find that you can store your larger piece of international corporate headquarters. For this luggage at your homestay during the semester. environment, your clothing should be layered. If carrying prescription medications, you should Bring clothing that is casual and comfortable, but carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any also bring clothes that you could wear to a concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see wedding or a job interview. Both men and the “General Health Tips” section in the Safety, women should bring a lightweight jacket or Security, and Health pre-departure document.) blazer which they can wear for special occasions. Please check the current requirements of the Transportation Security Administration Bear in mind that often people in Kisumu and (http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the Nairobi dress with more sophistication than is airline on which you are flying for domestic and common in American cities. What you wear is international baggage restrictions. very important, both for the sake of feeling comfortable and for the sake of cultural CLOTHING GUIDELINES appropriateness. Short shorts and very tight In order to be culturally appropriate and to assist trousers for women are not acceptable. with cultural immersion, SIT Kenya requires However, depending on the situation, you may students to dress according to local norms. In wear jeans, slacks, or even long “dress” shorts. most cases, this still leaves plenty of room for Neatness and fashion are always important, and individual choices. This is not a policy that will host families and other Kenyans affiliated with enable you to “pass” as a local, but rather to the program frequently complain that students ensure that you do not offend or embarrass tend to under-dress. Every semester, there are people with whom you work or stay. While students who do not take dressing seriously, or Kenyans are in many cases aware that who have not read this document carefully, and American standards of dress are different from who end up regretting that the clothes they Kenyan standards, it is not an excuse for setting brought are not stylish enough for the cities in aside Kenyan standards in favor of American Kenya; think “business casual” (but not ‘coat ones. Kenyans find certain American dressing and tie’), trendy, coordinated, and put-together. conventions appealing, others odd, and still The rest of the program takes place in others profoundly offensive or insulting. And conservative rural areas. While style is not so you will not escape these judgments merely

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important in the village, modesty and cleanliness breathable, preferably drip-dry cotton and are even more so. You will be expected to avoid cotton-blends. Polyesters and other fabrics that clothing with holes, clothing with immodest do not breathe can be very uncomfortable. You pictures or writing, shorts or clothing that is will be hand washing and line drying your revealing and very informal (such as tank tops, clothes. crop tops, halter tops, sleeveless shirts, or Buying new, expensive clothing is not bikinis). Tops should cover shoulders and recommended. Whatever you don’t pack, you waists, skirts should cover the knees, clothing can probably get in Kenya – except shoes. should not be too tight or see-through, and plunging necklines are not acceptable. Women Second hand clothing (mitumba) is available in most areas of East Africa dress with modesty, very cheaply all over Kenya. You can usually wearing skirts well below the knee with slips find whatever you want within two months of the (though ankle-length skirts are not a good idea end of any season in the northern countries. either, since they tend to get dirty and frayed Designer clothing is shockingly cheap in the very quickly), blouses or t-shirts with sleeves mitumba markets. and relatively high necklines, and sandals, sneakers, or flats. Women quite simply do not wear pants or shorts in rural or Muslim areas of the country (which are mostly near the coast). For men, casual dress can include jeans, sneakers, and t-shirts, as long as they are clean and free of holes. More formal occasions (of which there will be several) call for neat, pressed, dark colored slacks, pressed, button-up shirts (long or short sleeve), and leather dress shoes (penny loafers or lace-ups) or dress sandals. Flamboyantly colorful, Hawaiian-style shirts or guayaberas can be worn semi-formally in Kenya, so long as they are clean and EQUIPMENT pressed, and have a collar and buttons. A Mosquito nets are available in Kenya and cost variety of colorful slip-over shirts are available about $10 USD. But should you decide to bring here. Kenyans consider shorts to be one, it should be of the self-supporting variety. appropriate for schoolboys and playing sports, One recommendation is a Skeeter Defeater, but not for casual wear by adult males. though some students prefer a net that wraps Traditional wrap-arounds called kikois are often around you so you do not have to tuck in the worn on the coast instead of long pants. Shirts edges. Both are available through Travel with sleeves, whether short or long, are Medicine, Inc. at www.travmed.com. You only required. Ties and jackets are not required but it need to bring a sleeping bag if you plan to camp is a good idea to have one of each. on your own after the program. If you plan to climb the mountains or travel through cold Much of the country is known for its hot, tropical countries, you will need a heavier bag. These climate, though areas at higher elevations (such are usually available in Nairobi either retail or as Nairobi) can be surprisingly cold at night (50 secondhand but there is no guarantee that you degrees is not unheard of). You will certainly will get the bag you want, at the time you need need a sweater and/or a light jacket, and it. waterproof rainwear is essential. The clothes that you bring should all be washable and

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The program provides bottled water during all that students bring digital recorders for their excursions and clean bottled water can be language classes, ISP research, and other audio purchased nearly everywhere in Kenya. related communications. It is also highly However, if you wish to avoid the use of plastic recommended that students come prepared to water bottles for environmental reasons, you buy mobile phones because those brought from may bring a portable water filter, which can be the US may not work in Kenya. Phones cost around $50 USD. used during homestays and excursions. The brands past students recommend are the Be sure to bring a large capacity flash drive for 'system pack' which you can find at: back-up and storage of data and photographs. http://www.steripen.com and the MSR Miniworks For those who need it, word-processing and EX water filter which can be found at printing can be done at Internet cafés and other www.msrgear.com. If you purchase the email facilities are plentiful in major cities, SteriPEN, be certain to bring spare batteries for however, once outside these towns, Internet it because you might not be able to find access is extremely limited. replacement batteries in Kenya. You should also bring a small travel towel for the first week. Please see the following website for information If later on you need a big towel, you can buy it in about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters. any supermarket or mitumba markets. http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/. Kenya’s voltage is 240 and has the electrical COMPUTERS AND OTHER outlet that uses the Type G plug adapter.

ELECTRONICS GIFTS It is strongly recommended that you bring a As you might imagine, it is best to be prepared laptop computer. If you bring a laptop, the with a gift to offer your homestay family in computer will be your personal property and gratitude for their hospitality and as a means to responsibility It is recommended that you insure share a part of your culture with them. We your computer or other valuables for full suggest one or two gifts that the whole family coverage in the event of loss or theft. SIT is not can enjoy. You may also wish to consider gifts responsible for any duty tax you may have to for people outside your homestay family. Try to pay when you enter the country, theft, or loss. choose gifts that represent you or the part of the Previous students have found it very helpful to country and/or community you live in. Think bring their laptop, but you must exercise caution about what your city, state, or local artisans in keeping it safe. Do not entrust your backpack produce. Draw upon your personal interests or to any stranger as this has often resulted in hobbies for ideas. Pack a couple of small gifts theft. Do not pull out your computer in public or for children, such as small games, bubbles, or a during travel in general because this attracts Frisbee. Even if your homestay family does not pick pockets and thieves. have small children, chances are that you will

engage with children in your homestay If you bring a laptop, the computer will be your community. Once you are on the program and personal property and responsibility. You will be responsible for arranging storage for your laptop learn more about the local culture, you will in a secure place while on excursions. Past discover other ways to thank your family. students have also brought MP3s, iPods, Remember to bring pictures of your friends and galaxies, and DVD players. These are often family to share. used during excursion travel. We recommend that if you do bring these electronic devices, You can also buy gifts in-country as needed. ensure their safety as we are not in position to Sometimes these are more appreciated by the guarantee their safety. It is also recommended recipients because they are familiar.

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WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN COUNTRY Items readily available in Kenya include: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, tampons, pads, moisturizers, deodorant, most prescription medications and some familiar over-the-counter medications. However, particular brands of certain toiletries may not be available. One example is deodorant; most brands available in the US are not available here. ALUMNI CONTACTS If you have further questions, please contact your admissions counselor and/or ask an alumni contact: http://studyabroad.sit.edu/admitted- students/contact-a-former-student/. Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page! These packing guidelines are based on suggestions from past students and your academic director.

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PACKING LIST

o 15-week supply of all prescription medication plus any you need for after-program travel GENERAL CLOTHING o Decongestant, cold and flu medication o 10-day supply of dark socks and underwear o Face wipes (plus a few sports bras) o Saline solution for contacts (available here o At least 1 sweater, sweatshirt, or fleece but expensive) (avoid white) o Sun block of SPF 30 or higher (available but o Raincoat with hood or poncho expensive) make sure to bring enough o I pair of flip flops o Sunburn lotion (available but expensive)- o Sneakers or lightweight, durable footwear for Aloe Vera is highly recommended by daily use previous students o Nicer shoes for more formal occasions o USB drive (penny loafers or flats will do) o Medicine for yeast infections, if necessary, o Modest, one-piece bathing suit and acidophilus o Canvas or other shoes to wear for swimming o Anti-diarrheal medication (or buy in country) o Thermometer o Gym shorts (one pair) o Mosquito repellent o Clothing and sandals that can be worn for o Anti-itch medication (bug bites are part of life dressy occasions in the tropics) o Pajamas or modest clothing you can sleep in o Dental floss (available but expensive) while sharing a room with someone o First aid kit o One pair of waterproof boots for rainy o Sunglasses season o Sun hat or bandanas (the latter are useful for o 1 nice outfit for formal occasions trading at local markets – you may want to o 4 ordinary t-shirts (avoid white) bring a few) o At least 2 pairs of jeans or cargo pants o Towel o At least 3 pairs of slacks, knee-length skirts (with at least 1 half-slip), or khakis, (dark OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS colors are preferable) o Smaller bag or day pack for short excursions o An outfit for going out in the city o Combination locks for luggage o At least 3 shirts, collared, button-up, blouses, o Pocket knife with bottle opener or other shirts o Water bottle/canteen (some students choose to bring a bottle with a filtering system) TRAVEL DOCUMENTS o Ziploc bags for items that may leak in your luggage, such as shampoo o Passport (valid for more than 4 months) o Flashlight (absolutely essential), preferably o Yellow WHO Card where applicable (see the headlamp-style Safety, Security, and Health document for o Extra camera batteries (two sets of more information) rechargeable batteries and a charger that o Two photocopies of your passport stored can take 240 volts will come in handy) separately from your actual passport o Sleeping bag if planning to camp on your o Photocopy of visa (if applicable) own after the program o Copy of resume or CV for research permit o Two passport size photos for Kenya visa o Relevant articles or notes for ISP research (at your discretion)

HEALTH/TOILETRIES

SIT Study Abroad - 15 Flight, Passport, and Visa Information 3/12/2020