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High School Program
Rwanda presents a remarkable journey from its tragic past to its thriving present. This program delves deep into the nation’s transformation, from understanding the 1994 genocide to exploring its strides in education, social activism, and gender equality.
Rwanda’s genocide in 1994 traumatized the country’s population. Since then, the nation has put all efforts towards a reconciliation process to regain and sustain peace within Rwanda. A large part of this reconciliation is the International Criminal Tribunal, and situating the national court systems of Rwanda to persecute those who were responsible, to move forward to a brighter future. Different elements of this topic are unpacked throughout this program.
Rwanda, the Land of a Thousand Hills, known for its warm hospitality, incredible views, and rapidly developing society, is an inspirational place to explore and engage. This program explores some of Rwanda’s challenges and achievements over the past century. We begin by unpacking conflict and reconciliation through the lens of the 1994 genocide, followed by engagements in education, social activism, entrepreneurship, and gender. This rich itinerary unveils global citizenship themes heavily embedded in Rwandan society.
At Insight, our program itineraries are as unique as your students. All our program itineraries are customized with teacher chaperones to ensure that it meets the needs of your students.
With the support of a variety of local vendors and NGO’s, we promise that your students will get an authentic, local experience.
All our trips include:
Want to take your students outside the classroom? Review our program locations and suggested themes.
Connect with one of our High School Educators who will help custom design your program.
With our assistance, submit required paperwork and details to your Administration and School Board.
Announce the trip to your students! (We’ll provide all the materials you need).
Invite us to your school to host a Student & Parent Info Night! We will be there to answer questions and support student sign-up!
Welcome to Rwanda! Begin with an organized tour of the city, gaining insights into the city’s history and culture. Kigali has embarked on ambitious goals of becoming the cleanest city in the world. Visit local artisans, businesses, and the city market, all emblematic of Kigali’s push to become a modern city.
Visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Museum for a guided tour. With a deeper understanding of the genocide, visit the city’s most famous hotel. Once a luxury hotel, the famous Hotel Rwanda, or Hotel Des Milles Collines, housed over a thousand refugees during the 1994 genocide.
Travel to Nyamata, a village on the outskirts of the capital. Participate in a guided tour of one of the many churches where the genocide took place. Develop a deeper understanding of the scale of the conflict.
Back in Kigali, visit the Akilah College Campus in the heart of the city. Learn how undergraduate students are helping shape the future of Rwanda and how the college’s innovative programs are empowering women. With a student guide, participate in a guided walking tour of one of the communities Akillah serves.
Begin with a morning guided tour and craft demonstration with the Nyamirambo Women’s Centre. Learn how vocational skills in handicrafts combined with community are helping lift women out of poverty. Then explore one of Kigali’s thriving arts centers (Niyo or Inema). Learn directly from artists in residence, and participate in either an art-inspired activity, or a drumming experience.
Enjoy a coffee (or tea/hot chocolate) and a few moments to take in the Land of a 1000 Hills at one of the city’s emerging cafes. Participate in a reflection of social enterprise, art, and development.
Drive about 2.5hrs to Ibiwachu Cultural Village, a nonprofit organization that aims at improving the lives of reformed poachers and communities around Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park through provision of conservation incentives, supporting community enterprise development, and livelihood-based projects. Later visit the Ellen DeGeneres Campus for Gorilla Research to learn about conservation efforts done in collaboration with the Rwandan government.
In the afternoon, visit Musanze Cave, which was formed 62 million years ago after the last estimated volcanic eruption. Your guide will lead you on a guided walk through an entrance the size of a cathedral that is home to a sizable bat colony. Musanze Cave has been used as a shelter during wartime for many centuries and was the site of a massacre during the genocide. It continues to hold considerable significance to local people.
We take students out of the classroom and challenge them to learn about how the world really works in different places, delivering truly unique study abroad and student travel opportunities.