

EAST AFRICA
UGANDA, KENYA, TANZANIA
A Semester Long Gap Year Program






East Africa

Program Details
Dates: | September 1 – November 20 |
Duration: | 80 days |
Tuition: | $14,000* |
Arrive: | Newark, NJ |
Depart: | Newark, NJ |
Grade: | 12+ |
*Airfare for international and in-country flights additional
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Program Highlights
- Work at a Rhino Sanctuary and Witness the Efforts in Place to Protect Africa’s Sacred Animals
- Study Education by Living with Students at East Africa’s First Free All-Female Secondary School
- Whitewater Raft the Exhilarating Nile River
- Construct and Install Solar Power Systems into Rural Tanzanian Homes
- Discover the History of Zanzibar’s Stone Town and Swim in the Turquoise Waters
- Shadow Nurses in a Maasai Health Clinic to Compare Traditional and Contemporary Medicine
- Research Coastal Habitats and Partner with a Local NGO to Clean Up Marine Pollution
- Search for the “Big Five” African Animals while on Safari in the Masai Mara National Park
Due to COVID-19, ARCC is not running our East Africa Gap Semester in Spring 2021. We hope to return to our regular gap international programming in Fall 2021.
Program Overview
The East Africa gap year program explores the majesty, cultures, and challenges of three East African nations: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. We take advantage of our unparalleled access and gain a unique education on this fascinating expanse of Africa. Seeing the eager smiling faces in a Masai primary school while facilitating English exchange in an overcrowded classroom, we feel the scarcity of education. Tromping through the equatorial rainforest with wildlife biologists, surveying habitat for endangered species, we witness the environmental struggle. Sitting down to interview leaders from an all women’s community co-op set up to bring personal and financial independence, we see a solution. Building solar panels alongside local villagers, we provide sustainable electricity to family homes. Witnessing a family of elephants trek through the savanna of the Masai Mara at sunrise, we experience one of life’s unforgettable moments. Never again will you look at education in quite the same way!
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Program Details
Travel to Uganda and Orientation
We begin our semester traveling as a group to Kampala, Uganda, where we settle into our group, getting to know one another and our instructors. Together we map out our itinerary and set individual and group goals for the program. We introduce our curriculum and brainstorm ideas for our individual Capstone Passion Projects while coming together as a traveling community.
Led by our local host, Peter, we receive an orientation to East African culture and customs. We explore Kampala, all the while learning about the rich cultural history and the complicated political and economic framework of East Africa, as well as the cultural norms and social etiquette of the region.
Rhino Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation
Traveling north from Kampala, we head to a rhino sanctuary where we will spend the next week. Due to poaching and fierce competition over natural resources for the last three decades, rhino have been extinct in the country of Uganda since 1982. We join biologists and rangers to help in the efforts to reintroduce and build a sustainable rhino population through their breeding program. We learn to track and monitor the animals day and night, help with animal rehabilitation efforts, and take part in community outreach educating local youth about conservation efforts. This opportunity not only provides us with an intimate look at the real environmental issues facing East Africa, but also allows us to be a part of the solutions.
Rural Community Farming, Microfinance and Homestays
Our journey continues to the rural farming community of Luminyere, a stone’s-throw from picturesque Lake Victoria. Known for its fertile soil, this part of Uganda is an agricultural haven. With a growing number of the rural communities relying on subsistence agricultural, our partner Peter, the founder of a local farming cooperative, encourages traditional farming methods and techniques with regard to planting, harvesting and distribution of important seeds. By supporting local farmers through training and vocational studies, families are able to successfully feed themselves and build sustainable farms. Through our partner we go behind-the-scenes to help out and experience the strategic learning taking place. Peter introduces us to former street boys who have come to the farm seeking a better life, and are now the facilitators running the training program. Partnering with farmers we may plant fruit orchards, build bee boxes, construct water catchment systems, or participate in any assortment of agricultural practices. Living among community members who were once extremely impoverished, we learn and understand each step of the process of finding economic independence.
Nile River Rafting
Our Uganda adventure comes to a close on a high note as we travel to Jinja for an exhilarating whitewater raft on the mighty Nile River. After an exciting day on the river, we cross into Kenya and travel into the picturesque Great Rift Valley, where we stay in the quiet farming community of Kembu for the night.
Academy Educational Community Project
Only 55% of students who finish primary school in Kenya move on to secondary school. Women make up only a fraction of that small percentage. According to International Food Policy Research Institute, women’s education is the single most contributing factor to decreasing levels of hunger and malnutrition. According to the International Aid Organization UNICEF, every year of schooling raises a woman’s income by 10%. Set in the Shadow of Mt. Kenya, our host academy, East Africa’s first free all-female secondary school in Kenya, provides a stimulating and challenging educational experience aimed at readying the students for occupational interests. For a week we call this academy home as we get to know and befriend the girls who come from varying areas throughout the country. Throughout the week, we break into small groups and develop projects aimed to help specific students and the educational institution as a whole.
Primary School English Exchange
Leaving the academy behind we travel to the community of Naivasha, set in the heart of the Great Rift Valley. For the next week we facilitate an English language exchange at Kongoni Primary School. We have the opportunity to build English lesson plans, learn about classroom management, and help facilitate an exciting learning environment. We partner with local teachers and get a glimpse into both the struggles and viable solutions in the education system. Our time in Naivasha comes to a close with a celebratory all-school soccer tournament at the primary school, followed by a walking safari through Green Lake Crater where we see giraffe, eland, gazelle, warthog, zebra and impala.
Safari in Masai Mara National Park
One cannot visit East Africa without a true safari. After traveling to the starting point, we wake up this morning and are beckoned to the famed plains of the ‘Mara.’ We trade our overland vehicles for smaller, more manageable 4×4 land cruisers and depart for an adventure of a lifetime. For the next two days we venture through Masai Mara National Park, one of the most documented game parks in the world. In search of the coveted “Big Five” – rhino, lion, elephant, water buffalo and leopard – we are sure to see our fair share of animals in this geographic masterpiece.
Delivering Solar Energy
Leaving the plains of the Masai Mara behind we make our way to the site of our next project which addresses the Environment and Conservation theme. The project is the brain-child of our local partners. An impactful initiative established to bring solar power to the homes of poor households in Kajiado County, we spend the next ten days learning about solar power systems and other renewable energy sources, building and installing solar power systems into homes, and undertaking an evaluation of the project. During our stay here we will learn about the impact of conventional fuels on the environment, while giving a life-changing resource to families in great need. Working alongside community members, we form close connections with those of Kajiado who are so grateful to receive our assistance.
Tanzania and Student Planned Module
Leaving Kaijado behind, we cross over into Tanzania, the last country in our African journey. Our odyssey continues as we make our way to Arusha, the small city base for our Student Planned Module. This long weekend is totally planned by the students, with basic parameters put in place and a budget with which to work. We can’t wait to hear what the group will do!
Maasai Public Health Project and Adult Education Project
Our cultural exchange with the Maasai continues as we travel to the town of Meserani, a small indigenous Maasai community in the rural lands of Northern Tanzania. In cooperation with community leaders we learn about the struggle for health care in the region due to the lack of government support. In a country where one doctor cares for up to 25,000 people in any given rural area, Meserani is an exception to the rule. Funded by eco-tourism and donations, the Meserani clinic provides up-to-date health care to individuals who would normally have nothing. During our stay in Meserani, we are provided with an up-close view of the efforts being made to protect the local people from disease and sickness. We conduct important research interviewing community members and witness the positive effects of small non-profits making a difference.
Our next project in Tanzania has us partnering with Tanzanian young adults our age. We spend a week in buddy pairs learning the stories of these resilient people who have had to overcome great challenges before finding respite in this community. The center provides access to education and child-care, as well as opportunities for these locals to give back within their own communities. During our time here we assist in child-care, vocational classes, and general tasks around the center. We also have ample time to get to know our hosts outside of class hours and will no doubt leave with a far greater appreciation for all that we have.
Zanzibar
Traveling to the coast of Tanzania, we catch a dhow boat to Unguja, the main island of the Zanzibar archipelago. After an engaging three months of learning, we relish the opportunity for a well-deserved celebration on the white sand beaches of Zanzibar. We have the opportunity to snorkel, while also relaxing in paradise.
With our semester coming to a close, we present our Capstone Passion Projects to our traveling community. Sharing our new perspectives with the group, there is no question our learning and living during these three months will prepare us for the rest of our lives. As we savor our last week together, we are excited to head home to share our newly gained knowledge and insights from our firsthand look at the global issues facing East Africa.
*Please note that the order of the countries and of the projects is subject to change depending on your group assignment.
Program Reviews
“Nicolas had a great time; this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience that he will cherish forever. […] He really enjoyed helping others. As parents we are very, very pleased with the whole experience.”
— Parents of Nicolas R., Medellin, Colombia, Los Andres University ’23“I have learned more than I ever have in school in such a short amount of time by being able to experience so many elements of the real world. I am more excited than I ever thought I would be about going to college next year at Wake Forest because I have been re-inspired by the type of learning I have done here. I will definitely be encouraging other people to go on gap years, especially with ARCC!”
— Regan O., Cohasset, MA, Wake Forest, ‘21“Overall, Rosie found it to be an incredibly thoughtful program. There was real conscious thought and planning behind everything they did and how they went about it. She made authentic connections with both the locals and the group. She came to understand that this was an exchange among cultures. She came home with greater compassion and confidence.”
— Parent of Rosie M., San Francisco, CA, Providence College ‘23“I feel like there was a wonderful balance of education, service, and adventure. I believe that she has learned more in the three months she was in East Africa than she ever would have in school and she will remember it far longer too. From start to finish I think ARCC is a wonderful organization to deal with and the opportunities that you provide are truly life-changing.”
— Parent of Heather K., High Level, Alberta“Thank you ARCC for giving my daughter the opportunity of a lifetime! Eve had an amazing experience! I can’t believe how quickly the time flew by. I loved reading the blogs and seeing all the great photos. It almost seemed like I was on the adventure with her and that I got to know the other students.”
— Parent of Eve M., Kensington, MD, UVM ‘23“Caroline matured in a beautiful way. She has very much benefited from the group dynamic and learning how to advocate for herself. She was exposed to many kinds of living situations and cultures that helped her better appreciate her home situation.”
— Parents of Caroline E., Mission Hills, KS, Savannah College of Art & Design ‘23“I thoroughly researched gap year programs and ARCC was above and beyond everything else. Doing ethical and
meaningful projects was very important to me, and ARCC exceeded my expectations. The program reignited my
academic curiosity and made me genuinely excited to continue to learn in college. Go on East Africa Gap and completely
change your life!”
“We are happy and proud of Aaron having had such a positive and maturing opportunity far away from his comfort
zone. He was able to confirm his interest in electrical engineering through the solar panel installation project and at
least for a short brief moment, he was enlightened by having found the answer to ‘what is all this for?’”
“Africa in real life is not the same one they teach you about in textbooks back home, and with ARCC you get to experience
the truth. The best part is that all of their projects are self-sufficient and grassroots based. You never have
to worry about the parachute volunteering aspect. I’ve become a much better global citizen.”
“Connor is really thriving. ARCC Gap was the best decision ever!”
— Parent of Connor O., Manchester, CT, University of Connecticut ‘22“I feel like in my one semester with ARCC in East Africa I’ve had the equivalent of four years in school. The nice thing
is that no desks or classes were even involved. I’ve spent all eighteen years of my life doing a very limited amount
of things out of the ordinary, but through my growth in my time with ARCC, I feel braced for any challenge life may
throw at me.”
“ARCC has inspired me to be a better person. It is a cheesy response and I accept that, but after taking this trip and seeing the world in a whole new perspective, I’m seeing my life in a new perspective and it is making me want to be a better student, help in society, and a more well rounded and accommodating person.”
— Tristan N., Portland, OR, University of Victoria ’20Group Journal Excerpts
Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their Gap Year with ARCC:
A Day They Will Remember For Life
Wow! What a day our ARCC Africa Gap students had! The group is currently volunteering at the Rhino Fund Uganda. Yesterday, they participated in a medical mission to help Nandi, a wounded and pregnant Rhino. Nandi has several wounds that were severely infected and needed to be irrigated and cleaned. The wounds had come from…Read more
A Week at the Academy
A perspective from Lydia! During our stay at the Academy, each member of ARCC was placed with a buddy to spend time with. My (Lydia’s) buddy was Maggie, a 14-year-old from a small village outside of Nanyuki, Kenya. At first shy and withdrawn, Maggie soon began to open up to me about her past, her…Read more
An Incredible Safari!
This blog is brought to you by our current Leaders of the Week, Amaya and Grace. We are currently packing up our safari trucks, and heading to the Napenda solar project! This blog describes our time in Masai Mara, which has served as the perfect “half-way point” through our semester. Part 1 The melting sun…Read more
Maasai Homestay
To start our homestay with a bang, we were greeted by our host, Jonathan, on a main road, and then proceeded to walk 50 minutes with our huge backpacks and daypacks to arrive at our home for the next week. We arrived at his home, where his family greeted us with smiles and open arms.…Read more
Making and Installing Solar Panels
Rough winds and rain gusted through the truck as we bumped through the hills of Maasai land. After blessing the rains down in Africa with the help of Toto, we were greeted by Debs and her and Thiemo’s German Shepherds Turbo, Sally, and Stella. Throughout the day, zebras and livestock would freely stroll and graze…Read more
Reflections from Tanzania
It is fascinating to explore the nature of relativity while traveling internationally; more specifically, the differences between two cultures’ interpretations of the same word. Our experiences in Africa have offered several opportunities to see this contrast firsthand–our time at Meserani Snake Park these past 2 weeks especially. We built relationships with the nurses Jane and…Read more
Thanksgiving: Masaai Style
Bumping up and down, knocking foreheads and cheering Mark on while he violently shifted gears, our small group found our way to a small Maasai village in a 1960s, totally gutted “Bushman” Land Cruiser. Our Thanksgiving Day was not spent in pajamas, and was miles away from any televised sports; but explode out of the…Read more
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