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David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
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Serengeti to Zanzibar: Swahili Language, History and Culture

Dates: 21 June–25 July 2026
Priority Deadline: 1 November 2025
Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
Apply Now

Students will travel from the plains of the Serengeti to the shores of Zanzibar as they learn to speak Kiswahili, an African language spoken by more than 100 million people. Students will begin their journey learning Kiswahili at the MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation, with weekend excursions led by local guides to Arusha National Park and the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro. They will then explore Indian Ocean towns and cities of Tanzania, including Bagamoyo, Dar es Salaam, Kilwa, and Zanzibar. In addition to onsite lectures from experts in African History, they will engage with local communities of faith and explore Tanzania’s natural wonders through safaris, snorkeling, and other adventures.

Click here to apply today!

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Contact Us

Daren Ray
2117 JFSB
(801) 422-0510
daren.ray@byu.edu

Leslie Hadfield
2135 JFSB
(801) 422-8013
leslie_hadfield@byu.edu

PDF

Program Flyer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions
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More Information

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Courses

Students will register for at least 6 credit hours during summer term from the following courses:

HIST 260—Early African History (3 credit hours)
SWAHI 101— First Year Language Study: Swahili (4 credit hours)
SWAHI 102— Second Year Language Study: Swahili (4 credit hours)
SWAHI 330—Advanced Language Proficiency Through Cultural Studies (3 credit hours)

Students may not take any other courses on this program, including BYU Online courses, without approval by the program director and ISP.
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Cost

$7,500–8,000

Includes Latter-day Saint, undergraduate full tuition (increased cost for graduates and non–Latter-day Saint students), MS-TCDC tuition, park fees, housing, meals for three weeks at MS-TCDC, and international health insurance coverage.

Does not include airfare (approximately $2,000 from SLC), about two weeks of meals, or personal expenses.
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Funding Sources

Regular BYU tuition scholarships, Pell Grants, and Federal Insured Student Loans may be applied to study abroad programs.

Students who submit the financial aid section of the ISP application and who have a current FAFSA form on file at the Financial Aid Office (A-41 ASB) will be considered for a Study Abroad scholarship.

Academic departments and colleges may assist with scholarships and grants.

Private grants and scholarships outside of BYU may also assist (see kennedy.byu.edu/scholarships).
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Preparation

Accepted students are required to participate in an international cross-cultural preparation course (IAS 201R, 1 credit hour). This class will be held during the second block of the winter 2026 semester.

Students must meet all country- and program-specific COVID and health requirements for travel.

International study programs are physically, emotionally, and mentally taxing and you must be in good health to participate. These programs often take place in international locations that do not have the same level of safety and services in terms of transportation, living conditions, residential accommodations, food, public behavior, and policing that you may be used to on campus. If you have further questions or concerns on this, please see our travel policy.
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Housing

Students will be staying in hostels at the MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation housing, as well as tents and lodges in national parks, and hotels or hostels while traveling along the Tanzanian coast.
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Travel

Students are responsible for purchasing their own airfare to and from the program sites. Airline reservations must be made through BYU Travel. Students should contact a BYU Travel agent.

BYU Travel
280 HRCB
(801) 422-6293
travel@byu.edu
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Application Process

Students must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

Complete the online application here. A nonrefundable $35 application fee is required; applicants will be interviewed once the application is complete.

Students will be notified via e-mail of their acceptance into the program. The first payment is due upon acceptance; please refer to the Payment Information page.

Priority Deadline: 1 November 2025

Application Deadline: 1 December 2025
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Program Adjustments

International Study Programs (ISP) reserves the right to cancel this program, revise its offerings, or make any adjustments to the preliminary cost.

If it becomes necessary for ISP to cancel a program, all program payments made to BYU ISP will be refunded to the student’s BYU Financial account.

ISP is the only office authorized to cancel any of its programs.
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Faculty

Daren Ray, History Department Associate Professor; Co-director
2117 JFSB

(801) 422-0510

daren.ray@byu.edu



Leslie Hadfield, History Department Professor; Co-director

2135 JFSB

(801) 422-8013

leslie_hadfield@byu.edu
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Contact Us

International Study Programs
101 HRCB
(801) 422-3686
isp@byu.edu
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ISP Student Handbook

To see the student handbook, click here.
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Payment Schedule

To see the payment schedule, click here.