In 1962, Kalamazoo College established an Africa study abroad program with Fourah Bay College in Sierra Leone, becoming one of the first institutions in the U.S. to have an on-going program in Africa. An African Studies program was developed in 1965 and made a concentration in 1969.

In keeping with this tradition, the African Studies department is revitalizing its long tradition at the College by making improvements: through language instruction in Kiswahili; new Africa-focused courses; and looking to add new study abroad sites in Africa.

The African Studies program also contributes to the College’s International and Area Studies (IAS) major, which offers students the opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of the geography, history, socio-cultural elements, language, and politics of particular areas of the world.