Summer Community Public Health
Unique Experiences
Shadow healthcare providers
to observe the country’s primary healthcare delivery system and how it achieves its objectives for all people.
Participate in Community Assessments
conduct community heath assessments to identify key health needs and issues affecting communities in rural Botswana.
Visit Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Discover Botswana's rich wildlife and learn how communities are part of conserving the country’s ecological system
210 K
Population of the Capital City Gaborone
85 %
Population Living Within 5 KM Radius of Health Facility
12 K
Elephants Roaming Chobe National Park
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 a wide range of 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 the Setswana language as you explore historical and cultural sites.
- Get out of the classroom with community-based learning projects.
- Explore Bahurutshe Cultural Village, Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and Khama Rhino Sanctuary– always highlights.
Projects
Practicum: Participate in visits twice a week, in government-sponsored clinics and site visits to health-related facilities such as psychiatric hospitals, NGOs working with HIV and AIDS, learning 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, orphanage, women’s shelter or NGO that focuses on community health.
Program Blogs
Summer Community Public Health
This summer, the village of Dikgathong came alive with the vibrant and impactful Community Health Expo, organized by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and the University of Botswana... keep reading
Botswana Braais: The Heartbeat of Social Unions
Authored by: Ruby Pitinyane Botswana, a country known for its quality beef production, vast landscapes and rich cultural heritage, holds a special place for the tradition of braais. A braai... keep reading
What I wish I knew before coming
Written by Kat Laird. My name is Katherine Laird and I was part of the Summer 2023 in the Community Public Health Program. Below is what I wish I knew... keep reading
Housing & Meals
Housing
CIEE Gaborone offers diverse housing options to ensure you’re comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to on-campus shared apartments, your accommodation preferences will be met.
Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or in a shared residence apartment. Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family and are located under 60 minutes from CIEE Gaborone. Shared apartments feature a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living room and are situated on campus, roughly 10 minutes (on foot) to CIEE Gaborone. Students living on campus will be provided with basic cooking utensils and a stove to prepare their own meals.
A note: The default criterion to assign housing is first-come, first-served; however, other factors may also be considered. If we cannot accommodate your first housing choice, we'll let you know before you arrive. Non-standard housing options require an additional fee that can be found in the program Dates and Fees.
Meals
Homestays: Students have breakfast and dinner with their host families and are responsible for lunch.
Shared Apartments: Meals are not included. There are cooking facilities in the apartments. Additionally, there are dining halls on campus, as well as local restaurants and cafés nearby.
Academics
This program includes seven weeks of coursework and an opportunity for students to profile a community in rural Botswana and implement community health outreach activity to learn about health issues facing communities in rural Botswana.
Students also participate in organized volunteer activities in and around Gaborone as part of the academic curriculum. Students gain a holistic understanding of health and healthcare, the challenges of developing sustainable public healthcare, and basic Setswana-speaking skills. Courses are taught in English at CIEE Gaborone.
CIEE Gaborone is located in an ultra-modern building on the University of Botswana campus.
The University of Botswana was established in 1982 with the goal of improving economic and social conditions for the nation. 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. The University of Botswana offers state-of-the-art facilities including a newly built medical school and sports facilities open to all students.
Course Information
Summer 2025
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
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer 2025 8 weeks | Application Due Deadline Passed | Start Date | End Date | Fees & Housing $7,950 |
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 | $6,310 ** |
| Housing | $1,140 *** |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Total Fees | $7,950 |
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 | $112 † |
| International Airfare | $1,700 †† |
| Local Transportation | $130 ††† |
| Books & Supplies | $25 |
| Personal expenses | $160 †††† |
| Total Costs | $2,127 |
*non-refundable
**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. $336 for meals
††Round trip based on East Coast departure
†††For homestay budget an additional 100 USD for travel from home to campus
††††If you plan on traveling independently budget for more depending on your plans
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...
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