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SFS Endangered Species Conservation

Six large zebras wade through tall, yellow grass.

There is a $7500 scholarship for students studying in Sub-Saharan Africa. Apply today to the Ambassador John E Lange Scholarship for Study Abroad in Africa. Deadline September 29.

Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro Foothills

Limited Capacity Program: This program can accept a limited number of students each term, and in the past, we have received more qualified applicants than available spots. Review and admission of applicants occurs on a rolling basis, and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. You may only have one open application per term, but should have an alternate program in mind in the event that you are not accepted to this program.

Offered through the School for Field Studies (SFS), the Kenya semester and summer programs are approved UW affiliate programs.

SFS programs in Kenya take place in world-famous national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and protected areas, and Maasai communities. Courses and fieldwork focus on endangered species conservation, biodiversity conservation, wildlife and natural resource management, tourism impacts and the arching impacts of climate change in resource dependent rural communities. This program has strong connections to organizations such as Big Life and offers an anthropological view of human-wildlife conflict. The semester program has an optional, brief Maasai homestay and also journeys out of the savannah to the tropical broadleaf rainforests of Rwanda, where students trek to view the endangered mountain gorilla, have lectures at the Dian Fossey Center, and visit Volcanoes National Park.

You will be working closely with both IAP and SFS as a participant on these programs. You can access the program's main information page through the SFS website to learn more about the academics, housing, excursions and activities, and location.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only. All other students apply directly through SFS.

  • 2.8 cumulative GPA for semester programs; 2.6 cumulative GPA for summer programs
  • Previous college-level ecology, biology, earth science, or environmental studies course required for semester programs.

  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Provider

Subjects

Endangered species, environmental studies, biology, ecology, anthropology, zoology

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Field Research Station

Program Duration

Fall: Early Sept - Mid-Dec
Spring: Late Jan - Early May
Summer 1: Early June - Early July
Summer 2: Early July - Early Aug

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 - [Session I: Elephants of the African Savanna] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session II: Wildlife Health and Conservation] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [Session I & II: June - August] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 9/18/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

For specific details on the courses and academic structure of the program, visit the SFS program pages:

Kenya Semester: Endangered Species
Kenya Summer 1: Elephants of the African Savanna
Kenya Summer 2: Wildlife Health and Conservation 

SFS research at this center focuses on the following themes:

  • Endangered species conservation
  • Climate change resilience
  • Water conservation
  • Wildlife ecology and behavior, especially elephants and giraffes
  • Community governance of protected areas
  • National parks management
View SFS' list of recent directed research projects per program site.

Below you will find the course equivalents listing for the program.

Affiliate Institution(s)

School for Field Studies

Program Web Pages

SFS Kenya Programs

Foreign Courses

SFS Kenya Summer 1 Course SFS Kenya Semester Courses SFS Kenya Summer 2 Course

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents