Information for term Wildlife Ecology + Conservation
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenBring your appreciation for Mother Nature to Gaborone, Botswana, one of Africa's top-ranked destinations for diverse wilderness and incredible wildlife. Home to numerous national parks, reserves, wildlife management areas, and the world's largest concentration of African elephants, Botswana is the ideal place to earn credits in wildlife ecology, conservation, and more.
When class is in session at CIEE Gaborone, you will take courses in environmental science, animal behavior, ecology, conservation, and biology from accomplished and knowledgeable CIEE faculty. Outside the classroom, you will gain firsthand experience exploring the intersection of conservation, society, and culture through co-curricular activities and extensive field trips organized by CIEE to nature reserves, rangelands, rural communities, the capital city of Gaborone, and more.
Botswana's resident wildebeest, impala, meerkats, elephant, migratory birds, and more await you on this epic study abroad adventure!
Unique Experiences
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Learn new skills
Engage in hand-on fieldwork to understand conservation management in Botswana’s game reserves
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Explore Botswana wildlife
travel to one of the most renowned game reserves in Africa to enjoy a fully integrated STEM experience combining life sciences, conservation, and environmental sciences into a holistic wildlife management curriculum.
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Gain firsthand experience
interacting with local communities and government officials to understand Botswana's challenges, success and failure in natural resources management, and conservation
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OF BOTSWANA'S POPULATION LIVING IN URBAN AREAS
71.5 % -
SIZE OF BOTSWANA'S ELEPHANT POPULATION, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD
130 K -
LENGTH OF THE BORDER BETWEEN BOTSWANA AND ZAMBIA, SHORTEST IN THE WORLD
490 FT
Location & Culture
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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 study center 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
- Travel to Okavango Delta and engage in face-to-face discussion with villagers on issues of human wildlife conflict and conservation.
- Interview stakeholders engaged in wildlife conservation in Botswana
- Discover Botswana’s rich history during excursions to Bahurutshe Cultural Village.
- Practice your skills in Setswana as you explore cultural and environmental sites.
Daily Life
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Housing
Homestays: Maximize immersion by staying with a carefully selected host family in greater Gaborone.
Residence Halls: Students can also live on campus in a university residence hall, sharing double rooms with local undergraduate students. Halls have shared bathrooms. -
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.
Gaborone, Botswana Where You'll Study
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A
CIEE GABORONE
Gaborone
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UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA
Gaborone
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
The program explores Botswana’s amazing wildlife as a compelling example for sustainable wildlife management, species protection, ecology, and behavior. At the same time, students consider how wildlife support conflicts with human neighbors. To do so, students take a suite of coordinated, upper division biology, conservation, and environmental studies courses in English with CIEE instructors. The program is based in Gaborone, with extensive travel and field study in Botswana’s multiple ecological habitats, including world-renowned wildlife and game reserves - Kalahari and Okavango Delta. All courses are delivered by CIEE faculty, drawing on local experts and stakeholders, including many from the University of Botswana.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Additional Requirements
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of college-level Biology, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies or equivalent
Recommendations
Students are required to take all courses listed.
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 are required to take all courses listed.
Program Credit
Total credit: U.S. 17 semester/25.5 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE Lab courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
- Other CIEE courses: 2-3 U.S. semester credits/4-4.5 quarter credits; 30 – 45 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.
Academic Culture
Courses are designed by CIEE and adhere to standards and expectations consistent among U.S. higher education institutions. Regular class attendance and participation is expected and required. Students will play an active role in their own education; group projects and interaction with fellow students and professors are expected. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of the city when classes are in session.
Class Format
Coursework is conducted in English, except for the Setswana Language and Culture course. Courses are exclusive to CIEE students and are mostly scheduled Monday-Friday with possible weekend work and excursions. Some courses include compulsory field trips with special assignments as part of class work. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students’ grades are based on attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.
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 and Setswana
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
Click to OpenCourse Information
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & 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
- Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarships
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
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 infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2023 18 weeks | Deadline Passed | Jul 25, 2023 | Nov 25, 2023 |
$18,950
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Program FeesCIEE 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 = $15,903 Housing = $2,550 Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $18,950Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $1,800 † International Airfare = $1,800 †† Local Transportation = $200 ††† Books & Supplies = $250 Personal expenses = $1,500 †††† Total Estimated Costs = $5,550Financial AidCIEE 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. 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. † for residence hall students; homestay students only need to budget for lunches and occassional dinners with friends estimated at $700 per semester †† round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure ††† Homestay students should budget for 350 †††† If you are planning an independent study then budget more for that depending on your plans |
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.
Looking for funding?
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Basetsana Maposa
Director
Basetsana Maposa has extensive experience working in health, youth leadership, human rights, and educational development.
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Eunice Nkete
Program Assistant
Eunice completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology in 2019 from the University of Botswana.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
1
START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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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