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UT Tyler to Offer Study Abroad Trip to Africa

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January 10, 2013

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

January 10, 2013

The University of Texas at Tyler will offer a study abroad trip to Nairobi, Kenya for the Summer II 2013 semester, Dr. Jill Blondin, Center for Global Education director, announced.

Led by Drs. Fletcher and Wycliffe Njororai, assistant and associate professors respectively in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, the “UT Tyler Kenya Study Tour” is open to all UT Tyler students and may be counted as either three undergraduate or graduate-equivalent level semester credit hours in Allied Health Science 4350 or as six undergraduate credit hours in Allied Health Science 4335 (Global Health).

“It is UT Tyler’s first travel/study trip to Africa. Students should take advantage of this amazing opportunity,” Blondin said.

Estimated cost is $3,660 and includes round-trip airfare, ground transportation, room and board and most meals. There is a $100 non-refundable deposit. The first information meeting will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7 in the UT Tyler Herrington Patriot Center’s Jean Lancaster Academic Wing, room 3055.

Participants will travel July 13 – 26, 2013. While there, they will visit various sites for study including both local and international health-related organizations such as Pathfinder International, Plan international, UN-Habitat, Nairobi Urban Health and Poverty Partnership Project. They will also participate in a safari. The class will meet daily for two weeks prior to departure to learn about Kenya and prepare for the trip.

“Students would register for the class as part of their normal load. They will submit a study/project report or journal and provide a presentation after returning from the trip. Details relating to the project will be provided and discussed during the first week class meeting,” said Fletcher Njororai.

The entire course will be conducted in English, which is the medium of instruction and official language in Kenya, she added. Students will have a chance to learn some Swahili, the national language in Kenya.

The Njororais’ are scholars who bring on board a rich cultural background mix of linguistic skills and competences, academic and professional experiences and collaborative skills necessary for such an academic venture, Blondin added.

Limited scholarship and financial aid funds are available. A valid passport is required.

For more information, contact Fletcher Njororai, fnjororai@uttyler.edu or 903.566.7058; Dr. Wycliffe Njororai, wnjororai@uttyler.edu or 903.565.5530; or Dr. William Sorensen, associate professor of health and kinesiology, wsorensen@uttyler.edu or 903.566.7031.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler offers excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 7,000 high-ability students at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine.