A group of students from abroad have launched an ambitious educational tourism program targeting the Coast in a bid to promote the region internationally.

Speaking to the Star on phone yesterday, team leader Mike Rainy said they have met with the local administration in a bid to understand the region better.

He said the 17 undergraduate students from Lafayette College of Easton Penn in the US together with their program leader, Dr Robert Winslow Blunt are currently in Lamu to not only learn about the Swahili cultural aspect of the region but also all other aspects of Coastal life.

"After meeting with Lamu residents and the Lamu District Commissioner Stephen Ikua we decided that we would base nine days of our inter-term program in Lamu," said Rainy. The group which will be in Kenya for a three week long program, has so far isited various sites including Tsavo.