No — Riverside Farm Institute warmly welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds. While RFI operates under a Seventh-day Adventist ethos and our campus life reflects Adventist values (including a plant-based diet, Sabbath observance, and a faith-based community atmosphere), students are not required to be SDA to study here. We believe in learning together across backgrounds.

RFI offers both options. Several programs are available through our distance learning platform (learn.riversidefarm.org), allowing you to study from anywhere. Our hands-on vocational programs — such as General Agriculture, Culinary/Plant-Based Cooking, and Fashion Design — require on-campus attendance to complete the practical components. The program listing will indicate whether online, in-person, or a blended format is available.

For full residential programs on campus, the program fee typically includes accommodation and meals in our campus dining facility, which serves plant-based Zambian and international cuisine. Fee structures vary by program, so we recommend confirming this at the time of application. Commuter students or distance learners will have a different fee structure that does not include accommodation.

For full residential programs on campus, the program fee typically includes accommodation and meals in our campus dining facility, which serves plant-based Zambian and international cuisine. Fee structures vary by program, so we recommend confirming this at the time of application. Commuter students or distance learners will have a different fee structure that does not include accommodation.

Yes — international students are welcome to apply for full-time on-campus programs. RFI handles the student visa application process on your behalf, and the associated costs are reflected in our international student rates, which differ from local fees. We do not publish international rates online; please write to us directly and our admissions team will provide full details and guide you through the next steps.