MSID Kenya
Academics
The MSID curriculum explores the theoretical and practical implications of international development and intercultural issues. Field experience is an integral part of all courses. All of the curriculum except the language course can be taken for graduate level credit.
Academic Structure
Program type:
Experience urban and rural contrasts by spending 7 weeks engaged in coursework in Nairobi, followed by 6 weeks in a rural area working as an intern or conducting a research project with a local grassroots organization.
Level: 3000–4000 level courses.
Term: Fall semester, spring semester, academic year, optional intensive language pre-session.
Prerequisites:
- Juniors and above
- 2.5 GPA
- Experience in your MSID country, relevant course work or volunteer experience preferred but not required
You are required to take 16 credits for fall or spring semester; 32 for the academic year. Add 4 credits for optional language pre-session.
Coursework
Semester Program
MSID students enroll in four required courses, in addition to an internship or research project:
- International Development: Critical Perspectives on Theory and Practice
Choose a track to focus your studies and prepare you for your internship or research project. See track descriptions for more information.- Arts and Cultural Studies
- Education and Literacy
- Entrepreneurship and Alternative Economies
- Public Health
- Social Service
- Sustainability and the Environment
- Kenya Country Analysis
- Swahili Language
- Community Engagement in the Global South
Academic Year Program
Enroll in the four fall semester courses and continue spring semester coursework with an extended research project and internship.
Optional Language Pre-session
The Intensive Swahili in Kenya program is offered in August and in January for students who are interested in getting a jump-start on their language study prior to the start of the semester. One language course is taught over four weeks and awards 4 undergraduate credits. Beginning and intermediate Swahili are offered.
Internships and Research Projects
The internship and research experience is the cornerstone of the MSID program, and may be where you will learn the most. Your placement will be with an agency engaged in grassroots work related your selected track, and will immerse you in the social realities of the poorer strata of the population. During the classroom phase, the on-site staff will review your interests and attempt to place you with an agency whose goals match your objectives. Most requests within a general field can be accommodated, but adjustments may be made based on availability. Details about the internship and research process are in the program's On-site Guide.
The internship or research objectives will be agreed to by MSID, the agency supervisor and you, and will involve at least 25 hours per week of work. 12 contact hours are incorporated into the classroom phase and provide specific training on research methodology to prepare students for their research or internship project.
See a description of past internship and research placements for this MSID country.
GLOBAL IDENTITY
Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your overseas experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. The course assists you in reflecting on multiple layers of cross-cultural experience and marketing your study abroad experience for future goals.
Academic Fit With a University of Minnesota Degree Plan
Many courses have already been reviewed to meet Liberal Education requirements. Go to the Liberal Education Database to search for courses or submit ones for approval.
Major Advising Pages tell you why University of Minnesota faculty think study abroad is important for a particular major, what the department wants students to think about when selecting a program, and gives helpful academic planning hints. There may also be profiles of students who studied abroad in your major.
