Michelle Kithinji’s incredible journey from Chogoria, Meru, to Grand Valley State University in pursuit of her Master’s degree in Cybersecurity is a story of resilience and determination. Despite facing numerous obstacles in her quest for higher education abroad, her encounter with the Kenya Airlift Program was a turning point in her journey towards achieving her American dream.
The United States offers a plethora of opportunities in the tech industry. The country is a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. As Michelle navigates the American tech landscape, she has access to a vast network of professionals, industry leaders, and potential mentors who can provide guidance and support in her career journey. The vibrant tech ecosystem in the United States presents numerous avenues for collaboration, research, and career growth. The aim of The KENYA Airlift Program is to empower brilliant individuals in the tech industry who will have a lasting impact in America and back in Kenya.
This article is brought to your courtesy of The KENYA Airlift Program
The KENYA Airlift Program is an award-winning initiative that helps brilliant Kenyan Students achieve the dream of studying in the US regardless of their financial background.
The program was founded in late 2018 by US-based education & technology consultant Bob Mwiti in collaboration with a Member of County Assembly of Meru Hon. Dennis Kiogora popularly referred to as DMK.
The program’s mission is achieved through key partnership with MPOWER Financing as the official lending partner for unsecured student loans that cover both tuition and living expenses, partnership with universities in US where the program negotiates tuition fee waivers and scholarships, partnership with The Airlift Sacco to help finance students’ relocation expenses and partnership with Qatar Airways who offer discounted relocation air tickets to the students.
The program only accommodates ambitious and incredibly talented Kenyans who are willing to take a leap of faith in joining the tech industry by studying STEM or business-related master’s programs.
This award-winning program is trying to fix three major challenges Kenyan Students face in their quest to study in America, namely:
- Acquiring funding for relocation, tuition and living expenses.
- Finding well-paying jobs after graduation
- Acquiring permanent residency in America after graduation
The program is divided into two options; regular and parallel, which are based on the student’s academic qualifications and financial capabilities.
Regular student’s academic requirement is a B plain mean grade in KCSE with a B plain in Mathematics or Physics and a second class division in undergraduate, whereas Parallel students’ academic requirements is a C+ mean grade in KCSE and a second class division in undergraduate.
The program has an active membership of about 2000 students, and as of January 2023, the program has seen over 200 students relocate since inception, to study at various top State Universities in the US, with many more currently in the relocation pipeline.
The program has official working relationship with top Universities in North America namely:
- The University of Alabama in Huntsville
- Grand valley State University
- South Dakota State University
- Indiana University of Pennsylvania
- Missouri State University
If you are interested in joining this fantastic program, please apply today by visiting our website at www.kenyaairliftprogram.com
For any further inquiries, you can also visit our head office in Nairobi at Muthaiga Square, 3rd Floor suite 311 on Thika Road opposite Muthaiga Police Station or you can give us a call at 0721-263-977.
Journey from Meru to GVSU for Master’s in Cybersecurity-Michelle Kithinji
