Designed with both academic and personal growth in mind, RIDE's winter interterm programs provide prospective students with the chance to expand their global perspective, develop cross-cultural skills, and foster lifelong connections. Whether studying wildlife conservation, sustainable development, or cultural anthropology, students will have the chance to learn from local experts, collaborate with peers, and actively contribute to meaningful projects, leaving a lasting impact on both themselves and the communities they engage with.

The Winter and Summer sessions are designed to take place in any location throughout East Africa. Typically, we develop Winter programs in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. East Africa serves as an ideal location for study abroad programs due to its captivating diversity of landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and compelling social and environmental issues. From the majestic savannahs and breathtaking wildlife of national parks to vibrant urban centers and historic sites, East Africa offers a wealth of immersive learning opportunities that inspire students to explore, engage, and gain a deeper understanding of this dynamic region.

We do not believe that this semester should be restricted to students of any one discipline or background. On the contrary, we are proud supporters of diversity and we welcome students of any background, academic interest or to apply for our semester. The only requirements that we have is that you are (1) committed to field work of the program and (2) open to embracing foreign experiences. 2.5 GPA required.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

We recommend that each student talks with the study abroad advisor at their home school as soon as possible to learn of any deadlines or requirements they may have for study abroad. Email us at info@rideinternational.org if you have any questions about the application process. We’re here to help!

STEP 1 — Online Application

Please first fill out our ONLINE APPLICATION. Be sure to completely fill out the application and submit it by the deadline for the program to which you are applying.

STEP 2 — Request Transcripts

Request your transcript be sent to ISDSI (see more at References & Transcripts).

STEP 3 — Letters of Recommendation & Approval

Request two letters of recommendation and study abroad approval form and have them sent to RIDE (see References & Transcripts ). We need your letters of recommendation, approval form, and transcript by the deadline for your application to be considered complete. Please email us and let us know who will be sending the letters of recommendation.

AFTER SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Upon securing all of your application materials (online application, letters of recommendation, approval form, and transcript), Program Staff will then review your candidacy for the RIDE program which you applied. If you are accepted as a finalist, additional information will be required in order to complete your enrollment into the program.

The theme of the course totally depends on your interests as a faculty or university administrator, ranging from hard science to social studies. Again, we design our programs for students to spend the majority of their trip working directly in the field, with very limited time in the classroom. Course work will include substantial amounts of reading and report writing, field data collection, problem solving, and some analytic work.

Sample Courses:

• Climate Change in the Developing World

• Sustainable Management of Community Livelihood Resources

• Tourism Industry and Community Involvement

• Economic Development and Socio-Economic Change

• Swahili Language & Culture

Through our comprehensive program fee system, RIDE provides all housing and meals for our students throughout the entirety of their program. This includes breakfast, lunch & dinner, which can be catered to work with whatever dietary restrictions On the RIDE Field Semester: East Africa, there will be a wide variety of housing accommodations from hostels to cultural homestays to college dorms to bush camping. However, while the housing types might be different, each accommodation has been well-vetted by program staff to ensure a safe, secure and comfortable living environment for our students.

Participating in the local food culture is a central aspect of daily life in East Africa, and therefore you should be willing to try the local cuisine. Some special or limited diets may not be fully understood by locals, but our staff does everything in their power to provide students with meals catered to whatever dietary restrictions. All students are welcomed on this program regardless of what dietary restrictions they might have. We will advise you on realistic expectations about avoiding or incorporating certain foods within the program context. However, in some locations, we cannot guarantee zero exposure to certain foods or a given allergen.

RIDE Comprehensive Fee:

• Tuition

• All in-country meals

• Housing (hostels, dorms, camping, etc.)

• In-country books/readers

• Program related travel and excursions

• Daily drinking water (3 Liters)

The Fee Does NOT Cover:

• Visas (~$100)

• Roundtrip airfare (~$1,300)

• Discretionary expenses (~$300)

• Personal medical insurance

Students should check with their study abroad office to see if they are able to cover any of the items listed above.