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Girl rides on a safari car in Rwanda.

Experience 3 weeks in the heart of Africa studying peacebuilding and reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda.

From April 7th until July 4th, 1994, more than a million Rwandan Tutsi were murdered in the Genocide perpetrated against Tutsi in Rwanda. Following the liberation of Rwanda, the country faced the monumental task of peacebuilding and reconstruction. Today, Rwanda is a pillar of economic stability, health, safety and security, and is an up-and-coming destination for education in the region and world.

Coming Soon! This program will be offered again in Summer 2026. We’ll add more information to this page as we receive it, and you can also alert your Education Abroad Advisor of your interest so we send you an email reminder.

 

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Location

Kigali, Rwanda

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Term

Summer

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Housing

Hotel

Program Highlights

Students will earn 3 credit hours in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS 40089) and learn with experts at the University of Rwanda.

Students on this program will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a reconciliation village, civil society organizations, and government ministries. The program also includes a weekend safari trip to Akagera National Park.
 

Program Contact Information

Desiree Dube

Sr. Education Abroad Advisor

Email: ddube1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-7989

Important Dates & Billing

Program Dates: TBA, typically early to mid-July

Application Deadline: TBA

Withdrawal Deadline: TBA

Final Payment Deadline: The program fee will be billed to your Kent State student account. The program fee deadline aligns with the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center's summer due dates. You should refer to the first Summer due date.

Application Process

You will need to complete a Kent State Education Abroad application. These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Guest Application (If applicable)

Are you a student at another university? To apply for a Kent State education abroad program, you will first need to apply for admission to Kent State University as a “Guest Student”. Please apply as either an “Undergraduate Guest Student” or as a “Graduate Guest Student”, depending on your course level.

Once you have applied and been accepted as a Kent State University student, you will receive an email with your FlashLine login credentials. Activate your account and then proceed to the next step, which is to apply to the Education Abroad program of your interest. You can return to this page and follow the “Apply Now” button to start that application.

You can also refer to the FAQs for Guest Students if you need further help.

3. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your study abroad program application, it will be reviewed by the faculty leader. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. You should hear back from us within one month.

4. Commit to the Program

If you are accepted, you need to log back into your application by going to and clicking LOGIN. Once you see the name of your program, you need to click on it and commit (i.e., accept your offer of admission). 

Academics

Course Information

Course Name and CRN: PACS 40089

Credit Hours: 3

KSU Sponsoring College: Arts and Sciences

Course Language of Instruction: English

Course Description: Rwanda After Genocide will explore the post-genocide reconstruction of Rwanda.  Relevant historical context will provide the foundational knowledge of:

  • Concepts in genocide and mass atrocity
  • Early warning and risk factors of genocide
  • Transitional justice and peacebuilding
  • Basics of postcolonial theory

This course will prepare students for field research in Rwanda.  Knowledge about the Rwandan Genocide of the Tutsi will contextualize the peacebuilding process in post-genocide Rwanda.

Students will experience multiple sectors and hone into disciplinary subgroups to explore post-genocide policy and peacebuilding.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty’s Name: Dr. Sarah Schmidt

Email: sschmi16@kent.edu

Phone: 330-244-3579

Eligibility

  • All ranks and majors are encouraged to apply
  • Minimum 2.5 GPA and must be in good standing at Kent State or your home institution
Tentative Itinerary

Included below is a tentative itinerary for this program. Sequence, sites, and departure city are subject to changes in availability and cost.

  • Day 1: Depart Cleveland, OH, Group Flight from CLE to KGL
  • Day 2: Travel Day
  • Day 3: Arrive in Kigali, rest day, group meal
  • Day 4: University of Rwanda Welcome, group activity, history of the Genocide against the Tutsi
  • Day 5: University of Rwanda, CCM, group activity, home grown solutions, reconciliation, peacebuilding
  • Day 6: Kigali Genocide Memorial, Museum, Group Lunch, reflection and journaling
  • Day 7: Free day, optional facilitates activities
  • Day 8: Kigali Genocide Memorial, facilitated session - AEGIS Trust
  • Day 9: Peace Education Initiative, Reconciliation Village
  • Day 10: Peace Education Initiative, Reconciliation Village
  • Day 11: Group Session, reflection, debrief, group activity
  • Day 12: Memorial visit: Namyata Church Memorial
  • Day 13: Free day, optional facilitated activities
  • Day 14: Free day, optional facilitated activities
  • Day 15: Ministry visits: Ministry of Peace and Reconciliation, debrief
  • Day 16: Ministry visits: MINUBUMWE (ministry of Civic Education and National Unity), debrief
  • Day 17: Site visit: Rwanda Development Board
  • Day 18: Site visit: National Police
  • Day 19: Site visits, zipline visit, Akagera Transit Lodge
  • Day 20: Akagera National Park, safari visit, return to Kigali
  • Day 21: Group session, final debrief, group activity
  • Day: Return to Ohio, travel day
Location & Transportation

Kigali, Rwanda

Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is near the nation's geographic center in a region of rolling hills, with a series of valleys and ridges joined by steep slopes. Students will enjoy Kigali’s food scene, night life, and cultural sites during their free time and facilitated activities.

Transportation

This program includes a group flight from Cleveland to Kigali.

Airports

Group flight will depart from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

Local Transit

All transportation to programmatic site visits and related activities will be by a University of Rwanda bus.

Housing & Meals

Accommodations

Students will stay in double rooms at a hotel.

Meals

Students should plan for one meal per day out of pocket.  All other fees included in the program fee.

Financial Aid & Scholarships
Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your study abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

Country Profile

You can learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible. Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Visa Information

A visa is a document required by many countries, in addition to your passport, that allows you to enter the country for a certain purpose (whether that’s to stay, transit, or exit). Essentially, it is the country's government giving you legal permission to enter their country to travel, study, work, etc.

Please note, it is solely the responsibility of the student to: 

  • determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements for the country or countries to which they will travel,
  • and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements of the host nation(s).

It is also the responsibility of the student to:

  • verify the correct documentation required to apply for the required visa(s), 
  • apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time,
  • and pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

Kent State University's Office of Global Education is available to provide general guidance regarding student visa requirements and procedures; however, each student who travels abroad is expected to manage their own legal obligations regarding international travel.

It is strongly recommended by the Office of Global Education that you carefully review the appropriate consulate or embassy website for the nation(s) you plan to visit in order to determine current entry/study/exit visa requirements.

Costs and Funding

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Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

 LaKaleb Bowen playing drums in Rwanda.
LaKaleb Bowen
Criminology and Justice Studies

"I opted for the Kigali Summer Institute to gain a deeper understanding of their culture and perspective. I hoped that it would not only be a distinct experience but one that would offer unique insights. However, calling it insightful is an understatement. There's nothing that can adequately prepare you for such an extraordinary experience."

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