HU Swahili Study Abroad (HUSSA) in Kenya

The Howard University Swahili Study Abroad (HUSSA) Program is a summer language intensive program that includes working with the community. The program offers 6 weeks of over 120 contact hours through intensive linguistic and cultural experience in Kenya.

Program Objective:

The HUSSA Summer 2026 in Kenya is an intensive community-based Swahili language and culture program designed to enhance your language proficiency and promote knowledge and understanding of East Africa in a global context through Swahili language immersion. The program is open to students in all HU schools and departments as well as non-HU students.

Program Description:

Students will spend 6 weeks studying Swahili language and culture in Kenya. Students will spend about three weeks in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and three weeks in Kilifi, at the coast. Students will also visit cultural and historical sites, learn more about coastal Swahili culture and the Indian Ocean trade. Additionally, students will immerse themselves in the local culture through interaction with conversation partners and local people.

Program Dates:

Dates for the 2026 program are June 1 – July 12, 2026

Apply for the Program

Apply via the Application Form below.

The Application Deadline is January 31, 2026.

Program Highlights:

This program enables students to:

• Begin or complete your foreign language requirement
• Earn up to an equivalent of 6 credit hours of Swahili language
• Enhance your language proficiency skills through total immersion
• Get hands-on exposure to East African arts and crafts
• Use Swahili language with local people
• Engage in cultural and educational excursions
• Tour and enjoy the rich cultural and historical Kenyan coast
• Take a tour of one of the local national parks

Estimated Program Cost:

Estimated Program Cost: $7,500  

Note: Students seeking HU credit are required to pay an additional $4,749 in HU tuition.

The program fee covers:

• Tuition and full board accommodation
• Round-trip airfare, airport pick-up & drop off
• Administrative, fieldtrips & local transport fees
• Homestay with a host family
• Excursions
• Travel insurance

The program fee does not include:
Personal expenses, HU tuition, visa, passport, and immunizations costs. 

Funding Opportunity:

There is limited summer funding from the Center for African Studies that HU students may apply for up to $4,500 to support their trip.

For other funding opportunities, please check out the following links:

• https://coas.howard.edu/financial-support-through-coas-scholarships
• https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/

Important Dates:

• January 31: Application deadline  
• February 14: Acceptance Notification 
• March 14: Passport and Visa processing 
• April 20: Pre-departure preparations begin 
• May 11: Final Payment deadline 
• May 22: Summer session I at HU begins 
• June 1: Departure for East Africa  
• July 12: Return to the U.S.  

Program Dates & Locations:

The program will take place during Summer Session I, in Kenya from June 1 to July 12, 2026. The program will last for six weeks, with about three weeks in Nairobi and three weeks on the Kenyan coast. Students will also visit Swahili cultural sites to learn more about the target culture. Students will live in a hotel /apartment complex in Nairobi and at Pwani University in Kilifi town.

Suggested Payment Schedule:

PROGRAM FEES: $7,500

If you do not have a scholarship, please submit your payments to Program Coordinator in Locke Hall 350. Checks should be made payable to Howard University per each payment you make as recommended below:   

• February 15: Application Fee: $250  
• March 15: First payment: $2,250  
• April 12: Second payment: $1,500  
• May 2: Third payment: $2,000  
• May 11:  Final payment: $1,500  

NOTE: HU TUITION: $4,749

For more information contact:

Leonard Muaka Ph.D.
leonard.muaka@howard.edu

or

Esther Lisanza Ph.D.
esther.lisanza@howard.edu

Dept. of World Languages & Cultures
Locke Hall 348, Howard University
2441 Sixth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20059

202-806-6758

Program Administration:  The program is jointly administered by the Department of World Languages and Cultures, Ralph Bunche Center, and the Center for African Studies at Howard University with logistical support provided by Presto Travel. The program is limited to 12 students and will be led by Dr. Esther Lisanza, Assistant Professor, Dept. of African Studies and the Dept. of World Languages and cultures and Dr.  Leonard Muaka, Associate Professor of Swahili and Linguistics, Department of World Languages and Cultures at Howard University.