Kenya FAQs
Since the State Dept. Travel Warning for Kenya was issued in spring of 2003, SFS has recieved many inquiries from prospective students, parents and advisors about the safety of our program in Kenya. Following are some questions you might have regarding this matter:

1. I want to participate in the SFS program in Kenya, but I'm concerned about the safety of traveling to Kenya. What is SFS doing to monitor the situation there?
   In response to the Travel Warning issued by the US State Department in the spring of 2003 (since reissued several times) and in consideration of a number of safety concerns in Kenya, The School for Field Studies closely monitors the security situation in Kenya and has taken steps to enhance our security there. There is some debate regarding the political nature of the US issued Travel Warning. However, as Kenya has been the site of two significant terrorist events over the last 7 years, SFS takes the risk of terrorism seriously. For added caution, SFS had its Kenya students fly into the airport in Arusha, Tanzania instead of the Nairobi airport.
   
   In fall of 2004, the SFS Safety Director visited Kenya to review our procedures for student travel to and from Kenya. After consultations with the US Embassy and after visiting both the Nairobi and Arusha airports to personally view security measures, SFS has decided to resume having our students fly into Nairobi. While no airport is risk free, we found the security measures at Jomo Kenyatta Airport to be as good as any other airport owing to the security improvements made since the Travel Warning with help from the US State Dept. US Embassys employees also use the Nairobi airport. Cars heading into the airport are searched 1 mile away and all luggage is x-rayed prior to being allowed into the airport buildings. All passengers walk through a metal detector when entering the buildings. All carry on luggage is x-rayed an additional time before being allowed onto a flight. The flight paths are over a national park with limited access, which is said to be well patrolled.

2. How about during the program? What has SFS done to make the program safer in Kenya?
   Prior to the Travel Warning, students enjoyed a mid semester break where they could travel on their own throughout the country and the region. To be on the safe side, SFS has shortened the dates of the course and cancelled the break. At most of our other Centers, students are permitted to have one night a week free time away from the Center so that they might have an opportunity to travel farther afield. In Kenya there is no free night off away from the Center. However, our program makes for ample opportunity to meet and work with the local community as part of the Kenya program.
   
   As per the State Departments recommendations, we do not frequent heavily touristed areas such as shopping malls and restaurants, but instead opt for visiting local villages. Our students only go to downtown Nairobi if they require medical treatment beyond what we are confident that the local clinics can provide.
   
   While SFS does not presume to guarantee safety for our students or staff, there are a number of things that work in our favor:
   -We are located in a small community that supports our presence there. If anyone was “casing” the Center, it would very likely be noticed.
   -Our Kilimanjaro Bush Camp Center is located near the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The local religions are traditional or Christian, and we are far removed from the Islamic populations in Nairobi and on the coast.

3. What safety systems does SFS have in place?
   -Moses Okello, the Kenya program Center Director, is a warden for the US Embassy and all of our US students are registered with the embassy.
   -The Center's Student Affairs Manager is certified as a Wilderness First Responder (a 72-hour emergency medicine course) and most of our Kenya staff successfully completed a Wilderness Advanced First Aid course from Wilderness Medical Associates this past September.
   -Every SFS Center has a satellite phone, cell phones, land lines, internet access, etc. We have 24 hour/7 day a week communication lines as well as regularly scheduled conference calls with SFS headquarters to monitor the day-to-day situation.
   -The SFS Safety Director continually monitors world news including the daily briefs from the Overseas Security Advisory Committee and oversees our 24 hour/day emergency contact system.

4. Are other study abroad organizations still running programs in Kenya?
   When the Travel Warning was first issued in 2003, some programs suspended operations in kenya, including SFS. However, most study abroad programs in Kenya have resumed and indeed there have been a number of new study abroad ventures begun since the Travel Warning was issued. Anyone considering going to Kenya should make their decision carefully and consider their goals and risk acceptance and do their own evaluation of the situation there.

5. I still have questions about the safety of your program in Kenya. Is there someone I can speak with at SFS?
   SFS Safety Director, Bill Frederick, would be happy to speak with you and answer any additional questions. Please feel free to call him at 978.741.3567 x130 or email bfrederick@fieldstudies.org.