Gaborone, Botswana

Summer Community Public Health

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Information for term Summer Community Public Health

Application deadline, and cost information.

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Program Deadlines and Pricing Info

  • Dates: May 30 – Jul 22, 2023 (8 weeks)
  • Credit: 10 semester hours / 15 quarter hours
  • Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA

Overview

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Spend your summer exploring regional, social, and scientific health issues in one of Africa's most vital healthcare systems: Botswana! Designed for students interested in public health, this summer study abroad program will help you further your understanding of biology, development, medicine, and community health in a hands-on curriculum.

When class is in session, you'll take courses in English led by experienced faculty at CIEE Gaborone and CIEE's partner school, the University of Botswana. Outside the classroom, you'll gain firsthand experience observing community health in action in government-run clinics, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and hospitals to further learn about the country's healthcare delivery system.

Throughout the program, you will combine your classroom lessons with the real-life scenarios you've observed to demonstrate your learnings by volunteering at local organizations, conducting community assessments, and organizing a health fair/expo to provide community health services to a village in rural Botswana. The engaging coursework, language learning, homestay experience, and community outreach you take away from this summer program will stay with you long after you leave Botswana!

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

  • POPULATION OF THE CAPITAL CITY GABORONE

    210 K
  • POPULATION LIVING WITHIN 5 KM RADIUS OF HEALTH FACILITY

    85 %
  • ELEPHANTS ROAMING CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

    12 K

Location & Culture

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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.

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Gaborone.

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 controlled visits twice a week, precepted by UB Family Medicine and Public Health Medicine Resident in government-sponsored clinics and sites 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

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Program Blogs

Daily Life

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  • HOUSING

    Homestays: Some students stay with host families all over the city of Gaborone. 


    Residence Halls: Students can also live on campus in an apartment-style university residence hall with single or shared rooms. 

  • MEALS

    Homestay: Host families provide two meals a day. Students are responsible for lunch. 


    Residence Hall: Students are responsible for meals. There are cooking facilities in the graduate dorms. Additionally, there are dining halls on-campus, as well as local restaurants and cafés. 

Gaborone, Botswana

Where You'll Study

  • A

    CIEE BOTSWANA

    Botswana

  • B

    UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA

    Gaborone

What People are Saying

  • "There was a lot of opportunity to collect scholarships and there were a lot of program options suited for different interests."

    Kaitlyn B., University of Florida

Academics

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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. 

GPA

2.5

Language Prerequisites

There are no specific language requirements for this program.

Recommendations

College-level coursework in public health is recommended. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Program Requirements

Students enroll in three required courses. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits 

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3-4 U.S. semester/4.5-6 quarter credits; 45-60 contact hours 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Class Format

Coursework is conducted in English, except for the Setswana Language and Culture Practicum. The Professional Healthcare Issues course includes direct instruction, field trips, course material, class discussions and reviews of public health-related current events. The Community Health Practicum uses classroom discussions to contextualize visits to health facilities and includes conducting community assessments and health expo in rural Botswana.   Both courses feature guest lecturers from public health organizations around Gaborone. Courses are open only to CIEE students. 

Grading

Most courses use a continuous assessment model that includes written assignments, group projects, research exercises, essays, presentations, and written and oral exams. Grades are given on a percentage scale, letter grade (A-F), and grade point scale. 

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Language of Instruction

English

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.

Courses

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Course Information

  

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

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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
  • CIEE Stem Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.

See more scholarship info

Dates & Fees

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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

Summer 2023 8 weeks Deadline Passed May 30, 2023 Jul 22, 2023
$7,650
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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 insurance with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300 *

Educational Costs = $6,013

Housing = $1,140 **

Insurance = $197

Total Fees = $7,650

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 = $450

International Airfare = $1,700 ††

Local Transportation = $130 †††

Books & Supplies = $25

Personal expenses = $150 ††††

Other = $85 †††††

Total Estimated Costs = $2,540

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.

See Scholarships

This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed.

* non-refundable

** includes two meals a day and all meals on weekends for students in homestays; no meals are included for other housing options

Includes all meals and occassional cooking in the dorms; for homestay budget for only lunches only and occassional dinners with friends at 200 USD

†† 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

††††† COVID test to enter the US if required

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.

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What's Included

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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 and a local liability insurance
24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

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Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:
  • 1

    START AN APPLICATION
    You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! 

    Apply Now
  • 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.