Study in Kenya. Updated November 2026. 4 min read.
Nairobi is one of the best cities in the world to intern if you care about global health, development, conservation, media or startups. It is home to the United Nations Office at Nairobi, the UN's headquarters in Africa, and to the headquarters of the UN Environment Programme and UN-Habitat. Hundreds of NGOs run their regional work from here, foreign news bureaus cover the region from here, and the startup scene that grew out of mobile money is one of the most active in Africa. Conservation organizations in Laikipia and the Mara are a short flight away.
In short: most internships for visiting U.S. students run 4 to 10 weeks, most are unpaid, and almost all need the right immigration pass, not just the eTA you would use for a safari. We find and confirm the placement, arrange housing and transport, handle arrival and orientation, check in every week and stay on call around the clock. Your university awards any credit. This page explains each part.
Where interns work
| Sector | Typical hosts | What interns do | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global health | NGOs, health research projects, county health programs | Data entry and analysis, literature reviews, communications, observation with consent | Nairobi, Kisumu |
| Development and policy | NGOs, think tanks, social enterprises | Research, writing, monitoring and evaluation support | Nairobi |
| Startups and tech | Fintech, agritech, health tech and climate companies | Market research, product testing, marketing, operations | Westlands, Kilimani |
| Media and creative | Digital outlets, production houses, agencies | Research, production support, social media | Nairobi |
| Conservation | Conservancies and research programs | Data collection, community and education programs | Laikipia, the Mara, Amboseli |
| Hospitals | Private and faith-based hospitals | Observation only, with the facility's permission | Nairobi |
The visa question
Kenya's eTA covers tourism and short business visits such as meetings. An internship is different: you are working inside an organization, paid or not, and Kenya's Department of Immigration Services expects you to hold a pass that allows it. Depending on the placement, that is usually a short-term pass for interns and volunteers or, for a paid role, a Class D work permit sponsored by the employer. Applications go through eCitizen, with a letter from the host organization and supporting documents, and processing takes time.
Rules and fees change, so we confirm the right pass with the host and the current immigration requirements before you book flights, and we build the application into your timeline. Do not arrive on an eTA and start work hoping to sort it out later: it can mean a fine, removal and trouble entering Kenya again.
What it costs
Most placements for visiting students are unpaid; some startups pay a small stipend in shillings. Your costs are travel, the immigration pass, housing, transport, food and insurance. We quote housing and support as a package once we know your dates and placement, and you can pay us in full or monthly with no deposit.
| Cost item | Guide figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round-trip flight from New York | About $900 to $1,600 | More in July to September and December |
| Kenya eTA | $30 | For entry; it does not cover the internship itself |
| Inbound health insurance | $44 plus fees | Mandatory since October 2026, bought on eCitizen; not travel insurance |
| Immigration pass | Set by Immigration | Check eCitizen; your host's letter is required |
| Housing | Quoted with your package | Shared furnished apartment; depends on area and standard |
| Getting around | Varies | Ride-hailing apps for most trips |
| Medical evacuation cover | Varies | Required on our programs |
Housing: Kilimani and Westlands
Most interns live in Kilimani or Westlands. Kilimani is residential and central, with apartment blocks, supermarkets and cafes, and short rides to offices on Ngong Road and in Upper Hill. Westlands is Nairobi's business and nightlife district, home to many tech companies, coworking spaces and NGOs, and busier after dark. Interns working near the UN in Gigiri sometimes live closer to it. We place interns in shared furnished apartments in secure buildings with guards, water storage and backup power, and match roommates where we can.
Nairobi is not a walking city at night. Interns use Uber or Bolt after dark, keep phones out of sight on the street, and follow the safety briefing we give on day one. Our Nairobi transport guide explains ride-hailing, matatus and the Expressway.
How we place and supervise
- An intake call about your field, skills, goals and dates, at least four months before departure
- A match with a host organization, confirmed in writing with a named supervisor and a description of the work
- A learning agreement between you, the host and your university, if you are earning credit
- Airport pickup, an orientation day, a local SIM card and M-Pesa set-up, and a safety briefing
- Weekly check-ins with our team, a mid-point review with your supervisor, and a final evaluation
- A 24-hour line for anything urgent, and help changing placements if a host is not working out
For your university: credit and risk
We provide what study-abroad and career offices need: the host's details and supervisor, the work description, weekly hours, the housing address and our emergency plan. Credit comes from your institution. We plan to the Forum on Education Abroad's Standards of Good Practice, and some universities have their own approval step for international placements, so ask your office early. Before you book, check the current U.S. State Department advisory for Kenya and confirm your travel insurance covers your placement. Our school trip safety page sets out the framework in full.
Young professionals: KESCA
If you are 24 to 34 and want something shorter and more structured than an internship, the KESCA young professionals track brings together entrepreneurship, civic leadership and diaspora networks, with meetings with Kenyan founders and leaders. Many participants are Kenyan-American; friends of Kenya are welcome too.
Apply
Send us your field, the dates you have and what you want to learn. We will tell you honestly what kind of placement is realistic, what pass you are likely to need and what it will cost to live in Nairobi for the length of your stay.
