Hi there!
The first week in Kenya was such an exciting start to the trip. The weather was just right, not too hot, not too cold, and everything felt new and vibrant. Over the first weekend, we visited the National Museum of Kenya, where we explored local culture, history, and even got a sneak peek into safari life. We also stopped by the nearby snake park, where (believe it or not) we actually held snakes around our necks and snapped a few fun photos. There were also turtles, rabbits, and of course, lots of snakes. Honestly, the snake park was a little nerve-wracking, especially when a cobra suddenly lunged forward in its enclosure. Definitely a jump-scare moment!
During the week, we began our hospital observation visits. We had the opportunity to meet other Rice fellows in Kenya, including students from the GMI and Global 360 programs, along with peers from South Africa. It was eye-opening to experience the Kenyan healthcare environment firsthand while continuing with our course activities. I especially enjoyed meeting so many bright, kind students from different backgrounds.
That weekend, we headed to the Maasai Mara for a safari adventure! The drive from Nairobi took about five hours in classic safari trucks, and we stayed at a beautiful lodge surrounded by nature (and monkeys, which definitely made themselves at home!). Though the ride was a bit bumpy, the experience was absolutely worth it. Over the course of a day and a half, we managed to spot four out of the “Big Five”: lions, elephants, and buffalo, missed the rhino and leopard. A major highlight was seeing over ten lions in one day, including an entire pride passing right next to our truck, within half a meter! We also saw a family of elephants, with a baby elephant tucked between the larger ones. The weather was perfect, and we rode with the truck roof open for amazing views.
We later visited a Maasai village, where we were warmly welcomed with traditional dances and songs. One fun tradition they shared: in a jumping competition, the highest jumper might just win a boyfriend! Our guide was the grandson of the village elder—who, if I remember right, had 15 wives. That definitely caught us by surprise! For anyone visiting and hoping to buy souvenirs, be prepared to bargain. Prices aren’t fixed, and it’s best to start low, maybe around a quarter of the asking price, and work your way to a fair middle ground. We definitely learned a few lessons the hard way.
In the second week, we visited a PCB manufacturer and a biotech company to learn more about production and testing processes. Outside of those visits, most of our time was spent focusing on coursework and preparing for our presentations. Rice had organized a field trip to the Nairobi Safari Park for Friday morning, but unfortunately I had to miss it to finish up my presentation. We had one night out over the weekend at the Alchemist, it was fun!