Iowa State students and faculty will now have the chance to study in Kenya by participating in “Adventures in Africa,” a five-week ISU study abroad program at Kenyatta University.

A reception introducing “Adventures in Africa” was held Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Cardinal Room of the Memorial Union. Some of the guests present included George Eshiwani, vice chancellor of Kenyatta University, and Henry Ayot, director of the Linkages Program for Kenyatta University.

“Adventures in Africa” will be offered this summer. According the “Adventures” brochure, students will have the opportunity to study with Kenyan students at KU and earn six credits toward their ISU diploma.

The exchange program also fulfills the ISU requirement for international studies.

One ISU faculty member will accompany each group.

Eshiwani said the idea for a branch between the two universities originated with several ISU alumni who are teaching at Kenyatta University.

Eshiwani said he was “quite happy” about the agreement between the two universities.

“We welcome students from here,” Eshiwani said. “They will be enriching themselves academically and socially, and we look forward to seeing them.”

Ayot also said he was pleased with the agreement between the universities.

“I think the President [Martin Jischke] was very enthusiastic, and we had a very good discussion,” Ayot said.

The courses from which students can choose are virtually identical to ones taught in the United States, including chemistry, design, education, fine arts and history.

All African universities teach their courses in English, said Trevor Nelson, ISU coordinator of the Study Abroad Center.

According to the “Adventures” brochure, students will have the opportunity to get insight into the four main aspects of Kenyan cultures, which are the descriptive, the prescriptive, the productive and the expressive/creative.

Besides interacting with Kenya natives, students will embark on three weekend safaris, tentatively scheduled for Maasai Mara, the central and Mount Kenya region, and the coastal Swahili Mijikenda ecoregion.

“Adventures” will also offer trips to museums, theaters and areas of local interest.

Eshiwani said the exchange between the two cultures will be invaluable.

“The students from North America will be exposed to a different environment,” Eshiwani said. He said students will have the opportunity to live in Kenyatta University’s residence halls, eat with the students in their central cafeteria, visit Kenyan families, see popular tourist sights and become “involved in cultural enrichment.”

In an increasingly “global” community, Ayot said the cultural exchange is crucial for connecting the two countries and universities.

“The most important thing is to allow students to interact as the universities become more global,” Ayot said.

There has already been heavy interest in the program, said Dr. Donna Cowan, associate dean for academic and international programs.

“I’ve had requests by email, and advisers are asking about the program,” Cowan said.

“Adventures” is also attracting attention from many ISU groups, including Women in Science and Engineering, Cowan said.

KU offers programs strong in technology, arts and sciences.

“Kenyatta University is one of the major African universities,” Cowan said.

According to the “Adventures” brochure, a student must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA and have completed at least one academic year of college study prior to the beginning of the program to be eligible to apply.

The price for “Adventures” is $1,645, which Nelson called “extremely reasonable.” The cost covers airfare, tuition, accommodation, library fee, meals for one week and the three weekend safaris.

Applications for “Adventures” are due Feb. 15.

For application materials, students should contact the Study Abroad Center at 294-6792.