Language and Culture Program in Kenya

Volunteers in Kenya can experience this exotic destination with our Language and Culture immersion program. IFRE Volunteers offers an interesting week of introduction to Kenyan languages and exposure to Kenyan cultures. Our program includes a week of learning mostly Swahili and also shows volunteers glimpses of the varied and exciting cultures of East Africa. A Nairobi tour is included in this program. See the city through the eyes of the experienced guides. Gain useful insight which will improve your volunteer experience. Rural sites are also featured in this program. The following is a schedule for the program:

Day 1: Pick up from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, in the capital city of Nairobi and transfer to accommodation or training site dependant on arrival time.

Day 2: Orientation takes place at Nairobi Host Home. Orientation includes Kenya's religion, language, culture, history, customs, politics and geography. Also, participants will be briefed on necessary health and travel precautions. Volunteers are welcome to discuss any issues that interest them and ask any questions. Volunteers will have time to visit nearby Maasai market in Nairobi/Gigiri. Remainder of day is free time.

Day 3: Swahili language and cultural immersion training continues. (2-3 hours) A tour of the city area is scheduled to familiarize the volunteers with different shops, cyber cafés, city markets, bus stops, etc. Areas visited are flexible based on group’s interest. Remainder of day is free time and the evening is free for exploration of rural Kenya.

Day 4: Swahili language class continues (2-3 hours). Cooking session in the afternoon. Volunteers can learn how to make a Kenyan dish and/or they can teach their host and fellow volunteers how to make their cultural meal. (This is optional.)

Day 5: Culture day. Volunteers will travel to a rural home to spend a day at the village. On the way a stopover at the world famous viewpoint Paradise Lost. This is a must see for any Kenyan tourist and an amazing picture backdrop. From here one can see the famous Rift Valley floor and its salt - water lakes. Volunteers will spend the entire day with the program today. After dinner is a story-telling time by the village elders (translation will take place). This happens around the bonfire while drinking chai or uji. Volunteers will have an opportunity to practice their language skills. Entertainment will include: life during the colonial days, traditions events, folktales or songs by the children.

Day 6: Travel back to Nairobi to spend afternoon interacting with some of the young Kenyans watching movies, playing games and general hanging out with them. This is another great opportunity for volunteers to ask questions and practice what they have learned so far. Also visit Paradise Lost, a incredibly picturesque location 20 km from the center of Nairobi in the nearby Kiambu district.

Day 7: Closing of program. Free day for volunteers to explore Kenyan life. Volunteers can explore the city or walk through the Nairobi National Park which is about 7 km from the center of Nairobi. The host family or program coordinator can advise volunteers about other personal options. Afternoon/evening departure/travel to respective placements.

This is just sample itinerary and subject to change.