CIEE Summer Community Public Health Program in Gaborone, Botswana

  Botswana

Gaborone

Term: Summer 
Dates: 7 weeks: early June - late-July

Description: The Community Public Health summer program provides an introduction to basic healthcare issues in Botswana. Through coursework, a community health practicum, homestays, and a rich and challenging social environment, students gain a holistic appreciation and understanding of health and healthcare in Botswana. In addition, the program helps equip students with basic Setswana-speaking skills. This is accomplished through a communicative and interactive approach that ensures students have the basic language skills to engage the local communities.

Academic Program
This seven-week program consists of five weeks of coursework, a language and culture practicum, and a weeklong field placement in a rural clinic. Students also engage in an urban community service practicum in and around Gaborone as part of the academic curriculum. Students gain a holistic appreciation and understanding of health and healthcare, and obstacles impeding the successful development of sustainable public healthcare. In addition, the program helps equip students with basic Setswana-speaking skills.

Academic Culture
The University of Botswana (UB) is a relatively young institution and, like other universities in the region, has limited resources compared to most U.S. colleges and universities.

The summer courses have been designed by CIEE in conjunction with the University's Department of Environmental Health. All coursework is conducted in English with the exception of the Setswana Language and Culture Practicum. Students should be prepared for a style of teaching that is more formal and technical, tends to rely solely on lectures, and emphasizes memorization. Readings are typically assigned in class. The practicum may involve independent research, hands-on training, journal writing, and presentations.

Students take the Public and Environmental Health course every morning Monday through Friday for two hours each day. The Community Health Practicum combines lectures with a local service practicum, and includes a week at a rural Botswana health clinic. The practicum features a mix of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and field work.

Highlights:

• Community health practicum in rural clinics and urban community service project
  
• Innovative course that examines HIV/AIDS and other community health issues in Botswana
  
• Opportunity to work with local public health experts
  
• Excursions to places such as the Mokolodi Nature Reserve; optional excursion to Chobe National Park or the Okavango River Delta; and cultural activities in and around Gaborone

In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in an optional field trip either to the Okavango River Delta or Chobe National Park in the northern parts of the country. This optional field trip occurs at the end of the program and requires an additional fee.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes