Kenya: The Role of Tourism and Park Management in Sustainable Community Development

In the summer of 2024 while most students were working or relaxing, 13 students from ASU opted to spend their time learning about sustainable tourism and park management in five national parks, conservancies and protected areas across Kenya. The study abroad trip was led by Professor and Watts College Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Megha Budruk, and Professor Kathy Andereck, both from the School of Community Resources and Development.

Katlyn Skabelund, an undergraduate major in Parks, Recreation and Sports Management, is one of the students who took part in the 2024 trip. Katlyn embraced all that her experience in Kenya offered, sharing that “a big part of ASU is ... understanding people who are different from you; it doesn’t take away from you, it adds to you.” Using her experiences at ASU, Katlyn applied open-mindedness and acceptance in her travels and took advantage of the many learning opportunities she encountered while visiting another country that is vastly different from ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus.

Summer 2025 applications are now open to take part in this life-changing experience.  The application deadline for the 2025 trip is March 1, 2025.  Find more information and contact details here.