Community Public Health
Unique Experiences
Observe Healthcare Providers
to experience how the primary healthcare system is used as the key to the attainment of the goal of health for ALL.
Participate in Community Assessments
to gain insights on health issues affecting communities in rural Botswana
Visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary
To discover Botswana’s rich wildlife and learn how communities are part of conserving the country’s ecology system
9.3
Miles From the South African Border
10 %
Of Botswana’s Population Living in Gaborone
130 K
Highest Population of Elephants
Your Destination
A multiparty democracy, Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable countries. Most of its people belong to a single ethnic group, the Tswana, and the country is well known for its rich biodiversity and diverse landscapes. The capital Gaborone is one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, located in the south, close to the South African border. Gaborone hosts the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community, which focuses on regional development, economic growth, and poverty relief.
CIEE Gaborone has its offices at the University of Botswana, one of the main and oldest universities in the country. The University is located in the center of the city, within walking distance of major shopping centers and government offices.
The Culture
Excursions & Activities
- Profile a community in rural Botswana and implement a community health outreach activity to learn about the health issues facing communities in rural settings.
- Practice your skills in Setswana language as you explore historical and cultural sites.
- Step beyond the classroom with hands-on community-based learning projects, where you’ll actively engage with local initiatives and gain practical experience.
- Explore a range of public health facilities, connecting with professionals and gaining invaluable insights into healthcare systems and practices
- Discover Botswana’s rich history and biodiversity with excursions to Mokolodi Game Reserve, Khama Rhino Sanctuary and a Cultural Village or Cultural Event
Projects
Practicum: Participate in weekly visits in government-sponsored clinics and conduct community assessments and expo to learn about scientific and social health issues and Botswana’s health care system.
Volunteering: Make a tangible difference by donating time and energy to an environmental organization, NGO focusing on health, orphanage, hospice group, or women’s shelter.
Program Blogs
Study Abroad in Botswana Africa
For my study abroad, I chose the Community Public Health Program in Gaborone Botswana during the Fall 2024 semester. I am a public health major on a pre-PA track and... keep reading
A student perspective
The Highs and Lows As a last minute addition to the Gaborone program I wasn’t sure what to expect. My lack of research into the culture and community made me... keep reading
Internships vs. Volunteering Abroad: Which is Better?
Are you looking for internship or volunteering opportunities while abroad? You’re in luck with CIEE! Follow along as we detail the differences between internship vs. volunteer work and what you... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Gaborone offers various housing options, which include shared double rooms in the university residence hall or single occupancy in homestays. Residence halls are on the university campus while homestays are 45-60 min minutes from the university.
Standard Housing: Includes a shared double room with a local student at the university residence hall or a single room at a local homestay. The residence hall accommodation includes a shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities. Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and shared bathroom with the host family.
Meals
Homestays: Host families provide breakfast and dinner during the week and all meals on weekends.
Residence Halls: Students are responsible for all meals. There are dining halls on campus, as well as local restaurants and cafés nearby.
Academics
This program focuses on public and environmental health issues in Botswana. Students join the campus community and enroll in three required CIEE courses and three electives from CIEE Gaborone and/or University of Botswana courses. Students learn about healthcare delivery and related challenges, as well as basic Setswana speaking skills. The more students practice these skills, the more they will understand Botswana’s health issues.
Students can stay for a year by enrolling in the CIEE Arts and Sciences program for a second semester.
University of Botswana: Established in 1982, the university strives to improve economic and social conditions for the nation and maintain a regional and international outlook. With 15,000 students and a staff of more than 2,000, the university is committed to academic freedom and integrity, cultural authenticity, and internationalism.
Except for the CIEE Setswana Language and Culture Practicum, Community Health Practicum, and Public and Environmental Health Issues in Botswana, courses are taught by faculty from the University of Botswana.
Arizona State University: Enhance your international academic coursework with optional online courses that best align with your degree requirements and interests. ASU offers thousands of online courses in asynchronous sessions that fit within the CIEE academic calendar, so you can study abroad with CIEE while continuing to meet all your academic goals.
Course Information
Effective Spring 2020, CIEE will offer COMM 3301 GABO: Intercultural Communication and Leadership course as an additional elective option.
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Health Professions and Related Programs
Languages and Cultural Studies
Academic Projects
Communication, Journalism, and Media
Health Professions and Related Programs
Languages and Cultural Studies
UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA ELECTIVE COURSES
Students select three University of Botswana courses from the offerings listed below. One of the three elective courses must be Public and Environmental Health related. It is not guaranteed that the classes below will be offered, so we recommend choosing backup courses.
PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Students enrolled in this program must select at least one course from this list.
Community Mental Health Nursing
Principles and Practice of Community Health Nursing
Traditional and Alternative Medical Systems
Demographic Aspects of HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Basic Nursing Concepts and Skills in Health Sciences
Basic Toxicology
HIV/AIDS Education, Prevention and Control in Botswana
Introduction to Community Health Nursing
Parasitology for Health Sciences
ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA COURSES
African Languages and Literature
Politics and Southern African Poetry
Post-Colonial Theory and African Literature
Rites of Passage: A Study of Social Dramas
Studies in African Aesthetics
Business and Economics
Development Economics
Economics of Botswana and Southern Africa
Entrepreneurship and New Business
Environmental Economics
International Trade
Money and Banking
Education
Rural Development and Rural Extension
Engineering and Technology
Design for Sustainable Development
Digital Cartography
Engineering Materials
Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulics
Infrastructure Planning and Management
Water Engineering
English
Botswana Literature
Currents of Thought in the Literature of the African Diaspora: African-American Literature
Gender Issues in African Literature
Environmental Health and Environmental Science
Environmental Issues
Urbanization in the Developing World
History
African Cultures and Civilization
African Diaspora in the Islamic World and Asia
Historiography of Botswana
Trade and Politics in Central African Kingdoms
Media Studies
Media in Botswana
Political Science and Administrative Studies
Africa in World Politics
Politics in Botswana
Politics of South Africa
Science
Applications of Thermodynamic and Electrochemistry
Dynamics of Savanna Ecosystems
Geology of Africa
Parasitology for Health Sciences
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Wetlands Ecology and Management
CIEE proudly partners with ASU to deliver asynchronous, online coursework that aligns with your degree requirements from anywhere you study abroad.
CIEE and ASU offer courses online per program eligibility, at no additional charge. Be sure to review online courses with your home school advisor.
Check the CIEE Program Dates and ASU start dates below to maximize course options within your program!
Search ASU Online Courses BROWSE FAQs for more INFO
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing, and Public Health Merit Scholarships
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Fall 2025 18 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $19,950 | |
| Program Spring 2026 18 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
| Participation Confirmation | $300 * |
| Educational Costs | $16,456 ** |
| Housing | $3,000 *** |
| Insurance | $194 |
| Total Fees | $19,950 |
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
| Meals not included in program fee | $252 † |
| International Airfare | $1,700 †† |
| Local Transportation | $150 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $250 |
| Personal expenses | $210 †††† |
| Total Costs | $2,562 |
*non-refundable fee
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.
†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in Residence Halls, you should budget approx. $756 for meals
††round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Homestay students should budget for $190
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Basetsana Maposa
Center Director
Basetsana Masego Maposa is a seasoned health, gender, and international development professional with over 15 years of experience managing and directing national and multilateral public health projects. She holds two...
Keneilwe Manisa
Program Assistant
Keneilwe completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology at the University of Botswana in 2022. She started as a student volunteer in 2019 and also has experience with...
Get Started
1
2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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