ACM Botswana - Culture & Society in Africa

  Botswana

Gaborone

Term: Spring 
Dates: Spring semester (January-May)

Description: An African success story, Botswana is endowed with rich mineral resources, including diamonds, and has benefited from uninterrupted and effective civilian leadership since independence in 1966. Its government has negotiated contracts with multinational corporations such as DeBeers, which stand in stark contrast to the exploitation of African resources during much of the colonial era. The returns from its mineral wealth, augmented with income from tourism, cattle ranching, and financial services, have been invested in education and various social services. As a leader in SADC (Southern African Development Community), Botswana has played a leading role in the region since the 1980s, from the time that South Africa was still under apartheid, and more recently in negotiations with Mugabe's Zimbabwe. Although, like many other countries in Africa, it has had to confront the problem of HIV/AIDS and the resulting social disruptions, Botswana demonstrates that progressive social policies can mitigate some of the effects of the disease. Botswana thus provides both a healthy antidote to the negative characterizations of Africa often found in American media and a rich array of possible solutions to the various crises of the third world.

The ACM Botswana program is expressly designed for students with interests in politics, political economy, economic and social development, public health, and environmental studies.   Housed at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana's capital, the program is offered each spring semester, and combines formal class study with site visits to places in and around Gaborone and an independent research project (for credit). Classes include Setswana language, a course taught by the ACM faculty director, and an elective course at the University of Botswana.

During the semester-long program, students are housed in a graduate residence hall at the University of Botswana. Among the excursions typically planned are a weekend trip to Johannesburg, South Africa; a week-long trip to Maun, near the Okavango Delta in the north; and a visit to the Jwaneng diamond mine. Students are also encouraged to volunteer with community service organizations and other non-governmental organizations.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Inquire for more information

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 20

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

ACM - Associated Colleges of the Midwest's Mission Statement: The Associated Colleges of the Midwest, a consortium of residential liberal arts colleges, aims to strengthen its member colleges as leaders, and exemplars, in liberal arts education through significant, innovative, and sustainable collaborations. One key component of ACM is to provide exemplary liberal arts learning through a wide variety of off-campus study programs.

Year Founded: 1958