Study Abroad in Botswana: Summer 2010
Program Overview
Botswana is the shining star of the African continent and is considered a model of peace and stability. You will play a role in addressing broader global issues such as poverty and environmental sustainability through courses taught by Georgia Southern University faculty on the University of Botswana campus and by working with Somarelang Tikologo, an African non-profit organization in the capital city of Gaborone.
Slide Show
To view a slide show about the Botswana study abroad program, please click here.
Classes
ECON 4890/7030 and/or
PUBH 4890/7090 and/or
Independent study courses may be arranged in some majors
Students in the Economic Development course (ECON 4890/7030) will analyze case studies, prepare presentations and take part in community placements at Somarelang Tikologo, an African non-profit organization, you will assist entrepreneurs in developing ideas for new products, creating business plans and listing entrepreneurs on a microlending website.
Students enrolled in the Public Health (PUBH 4890/7090) class will analyze case studies and take part in community placements at Somarelang Tikologo, an African non-profit organization, where you will assist in researching best practices in environmental health programs, developing volunteer handbooks and preparing lessons for area schools.
Dates
Term A, 2010
Term A takes place from May 17-June 16, 2010
The Georgia Southern University on-campus component takes place from May 17-May 25, 2010
The Botswana component takes place from May 26-June 17, 2010
Please note that exact dates within Term A are subject to change
Undergraduate and Graduate Students
The Botswana program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students from all majors.
Faculty
Faculty teaching on the program include Dr. Simone Charles in the College of Public Health and Dr. Donna K. Fisher with the School of Economic Development in the College of Business Administration.
University of Botswana Partnership
Georgia Southern University has a partnership with the University of Botswana. The University of Botswana will host you during your time in Gaborone. You will stay in university residence halls, dine in the campus dining facility and have access to university resources such as the library and student health center.
Excursions
Excursions will provide the opportunity to gain greater insight into the people, culture and terrain of southern Africa. You will have the chance to take advantage of possibilities such as viewing lions from a Land Rover during a safari at the Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge in South Africa and riding elephants at sunset at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve.
Service-Learning Component
As part of your classes, you will work with Somarelang Tikologo, an African non-profit organization dedicated to advancing environmental protection and reducing poverty in Botswana.
Financial Assistance
Financial aid is far more available for study abroad than students commonly imagine. Not only is financial aid applicable to study abroad (including travel costs) but, under most federal programs, the amount of grant or loan money for which you are eligible can be increased to cover additional costs of studying abroad. Awards of financial aid for study abroad are based, in part, on financial need. The level of your need is measured by a formal evaluation process. To begin the process, you must submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to the Department of Education which can be found at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
You are encouraged to meet with Margaret Pigatt-Lanier in Financial Aid as she can help you allocate your financial aid resources for a study abroad experience. Your HOPE award, Pell Grant, and/or student loans can all be used for a program such as this one. Margaret can be contacted at mplanier@GeorgiaSouthern.edu or 912-478-5413.
Information on scholarships to help fund study abroad programs can be found at:
http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/international/study_abroad/Scholarships_FinancialAid.htm
Non‑Georgia Southern University students must contact the Financial Aid office at their home institutions for instructions on applying Financial Aid to the Georgia Southern program. All non‑Georgia Southern students must pay tuition and fees in full on the dates specified. All participants must arrange to have any grants or loans disbursed to them in time to meet the fee deadlines.
Application Form
To download the application form, please click here.
Botswana Country Overview
Botswana has been selected as the site for Georgia Southern University’s first African study abroad program due to the fact that the country is a model in Africa. At the time Botswana gained independence in 1966, it was among the poorest nations in the world. The discovery of diamond mines in the 1970s led to unprecedented economic growth which has resulted in the country having one of the highest rates of GDP per capita on the African continent.
Over four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most dynamic economies in Africa. Its citizens enjoy a peaceful existence under a constitution which protects freedoms of speech, association, press and religion. Today, the country still faces challenges and Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
You will receive acknowledgment of receipt of application and final notification of acceptance within two weeks of application, once all application materials have been received. There is a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 required for application, which will be returned only if the student is not accepted. All deposits are deducted from total price of program and airfare fees.
Deadline for Program Application and Application Deposit: January 22, 2009
The student program fee is $5120.00. The fee includes: round-trip airfare from Atlanta or Savannah to Gaborone, ground transportation in Botswana, housing, most meals, study abroad insurance, and emergency telecommunications service. $100.00 deposit is due along with the program application.
*February 12, 2009: $2510.00
*March 12, 2009: $2510.00
*Unfortunately, the program payments are non-refundable. Available flights to southern Africa during Summer 2010 will limited due to the World Cup. We have to book and purchase flights very early to ensure affordable group travel to Gaborone.
A passport with at least six months of validity remaining is required. U.S. citizens are permitted stays up to 90 days in Botswana without a visa. Since one of the excursions takes place just over the border in South Africa, your passport must contain at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages.
Medical and liability documents must be submitted before departure date, and you must show proof of medical and liability insurance.
Students will be required to submit a Georgia Southern University medical clearance form to the Center for International Studies prior to departure. The form is to be signed by the student’s physician or a member of the Georgia Southern University Health Services staff. All routine vaccinations (MMR, DPT, polio, varicella) are necessary and the vaccines for Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and typhoid are recommended.
In Botswana, HIV/AIDS are considered a high risk, as 37.3% of adults have this illness. Travelers are advised to be aware of the prevalence of HIV and to use protection if engaging in risky behaviors. Other diseases involving high risk include bacterial diarrhea, Hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Malaria is not a risk in Gaborone and anti-malarial drugs are not necessary. Outside of the city, malaria is considered a high-risk, and anti-malarial drugs should be taken, however, Chloroquine is not an effective anti-malarial in Botswana. Yellow fever is not a risk in Gaborone. As with all countries in this region, there is a risk of dengue, onchocerciasis (river blindness), schistosomiasis, tuberculosis and polio; all of which can be prevented by being cautious with food and water consumption, protecting oneself from insects and avoiding swimming in fresh water. All students will have access to a full-time health center at the University of Botswana and the Gaborone Private Hospital is in close proximity to campus.
Embassy of the United States: Gaborone, Botswana
botswana.usembassy.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov
Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook: Botswana
www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/bc.html
Doctors and Hospitals in Botswana
botswana.usembassy.gov/medical_information.html
For additional information, please contact:
Janna Pennington
Service-Learning Coordinator
Office of Student Leadership & Civic Engagement
Georgia Southern University
jannapennington@georgiasouthern.edu
912.478.1435
or
The Study Abroad Resource Room
Center for International Studies
Georgia Southern University
Forest Drive Building, Room 1316
stdyabrd@georgiasouthern.edu
912.478.0332