Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a state in East Africa with Nairobi as its capital. Mombasa, located on the coast, is the country's second city with over a million inhabitants. A total of around 47.5 million people live in Kenya, spread over 47 semi-autonomous territorial authorities, the so-called counties. The more than 40 different ethnic groups living in Kenya speak more than 50 languages and dialects, with English being one of the official languages alongside Swahili. Kenya is named after the mountain of the same name, Mount Kenya, which at 5199 metres is the second highest mountain massif in Africa. The Kikuyu people, who live in the area around today's Mount Kenya, called the mountain ‘Kirinyaga’ or ‘Kerenyaga’, which means ‘mountain of white’ and refers to its snow-covered summit. When the British claimed the area around the mountain as their colony, ‘Kirinyaga’ became the now familiar ‘Kenya’ due to their difficulties with pronunciation.
Regardless of how dark the cloud is, there is always a thin, silver lining, and that is what we must look for. The silver lining will come, if not to us, then to the next generation or the generation after that.
Wangari Maathai
University co-operations
Opportunities for a semester abroad in Kenya
Students at Leibniz University Hannover have the opportunity to undertake study and work placements of varying durations. Possible options include study visits lasting one or two semesters, research visits of at least four weeks to write a thesis or dissertation, or internships in institutes and research facilities.
It is important to note that most collaborations take place at faculty level and therefore the mobilities are part of the Freemover Programme. Further information on study opportunities can be found under the following link.
You can also find direct contact details for the faculties at LUH via the following link.
Application for a partner university in Kenya
Application deadlines
The application deadlines and more detailed information on the respective application process will be provided by arrangement with the exchange coordinator of your faculty.
Application documents
- Curriculum vitae (in English)
- Letter of motivation and description of the study project in English (min. 250 words)
- Proof of English language proficiency (DAAD language test at the Specialised Language Centre, TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
- Certificate and/or transcript of marks from the examination office (in English)
- Copy of the passport
- Printout of the LUH online application (this does not have to be signed by a coordinator)
- Letter of reference from a university lecturer (in English)
Important notes
If you are selected to study at a partner university, you undertake to act as a Study Buddy in Hanover.
At the end of your stay abroad at a partner university, you must submit an experience report.
Please contact your faculty to find out about other existing faculty programmes.
Counselling
The first consultation takes place in the Welcome Centre of the International Office, where you can obtain basic information.
You can find the consultation hours under the following link.
For further and detailed counselling appointments, please make an appointment with the Exchange Coordinator of your faculty.
