Hands-On Kenya Experiences for Columbia's Kraft Global Fellows
Columbia students benefited from a variety of experiences during a one-week visit to Columbia Global Center Nairobi, as part of the Kraft Global Fellows program.
A recent student visit to Kenya shows how Columbia Global Centers can provide unique experiences that enhance our community's understanding of the world.
In January, five Kraft Global Fellows visited the Nairobi Global Center for a one-week program to engage with the country's diverse religious culture and learn about the nation's history and current affairs. Through hands-on experiences with local communities, the fellows gained an invaluable appreciation of Kenya's culture and religious practices.
In Nairobi, the students visited a Catholic parish, participated in prayers at a mosque, visited the Chabad House of Kenya, and participated in activities at a Sikh temple.
They went to the University of Nairobi for lectures on youth activism, neo-colonialism, tribalism, local health policy and indigenous religions and gender roles. The learned about Kenya's international economic relationships, as well as its local art, architecture, business and heritage.
The fellows explored Kenya's environmental initiatives through visits to Lake Nakuru and Karura Forest, learning about local farming and recycling projects. They also talked with local entrepreneurs about the value of pay-per-use business models for emerging businesses.
About the Kraft Global Fellows Program
The Kraft Global Fellows program offers Columbia students the opportunity to visit a Global Center for research projects that focus on the destination country's religions, cultures, and communities. The program — a collaboration among the Kraft Family Fund for Intercultural and Interfaith Awareness, the Office of the University Chaplain and our Global Centers — encourages a diverse cohort of fellows to learn from each other as they experience other cultures.
