HIV/AIDS in Afrcia - Botswana

Gaborone, Botswana

Program will not run in Summer 2010 due to scheduling conflicts related to the World Cup being held in South Africa. Students hoping to participate should e-mail education.abroad@ohio.edu for alternative program options or come in during our walk-in advising hours Mon-Fri 1-4 p.m. in Lindley Hall 185. Please check back for updates related to the summer 2011 program.

HIV/AIDS Field School
A unique opportunity to benefit from direct contact with organizations engaged in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention initiatives in Gaborone, the vibrant capital city of this small Southern African country. Program activities include hands-on field work, workshops, HIV/AIDS communication program planning, and lectures at the University of Botswana.

Through active engagement with professionals in HIV/AIDS organizations, participants can expect to develop and refine skills necessary for successful HIV/AIDS program planning and implementation. With contact with the people of Botswana, participants can gain in-depth, practical understanding and experience of the impact of HIV/AIDS and a society's response to it. All this happens in Africa's fastest growing city and in one of Africa's most peaceful and prosperous countries. Despite being ravaged by HIV/AIDS, Botswana is home to a rich and vibrant cultural tradition that participants can expect to enjoy.

Highlights

  • Engage in applied learning through prominent HIV/AIDS organizations
  • Gain practical experience in HIV/AIDS communication initiatives
  • Direct contact with community members and outreach workers
  • Enjoy lectures and seminars from experts at the University of Botswana
  • Immerse yourself in Botswana's culture and traditions
  • Immense networking opportunities with relevant people and organizations
  • Visit national game parks, scenic, and historical sites

Program Length
mid June - mid July 
1st summer session

Eligibility and selection process
This program is open to graduate students enrolled in various programs such as, but not limited to, Communication and Development Studies, Communication Studies, International Studies, African Studies, and Health Sciences. Upper-level undergraduate students with relevant interest or experience will be considered. Successful participants must have an interest in HIV/AIDS or experience researching/working in HIV/AIDS-related areas. A minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 is required.

Students on judicial probation at the start of the study abroad program will not be allowed to participate; there is an appeal process for those with B-level violations. Click here to read the entire judicial policy.

Application deadline
Visit the Events and Deadlines webpage.
Visit Education abroad application to apply.

Living arrangements
Participants will have shared accommodation in residence halls at the University of Botswana.

Courses and credits
The below is a sample of classes that have been offered in the past but specific course offerings will be updated on an annual basis:

COMS 480 Topics in Communication
COMS 496A Health Communication Internship
EDCE 610 Field Experience in Counseling
INST 410 HIV/AIDS Research-Botswana INST 490 International Studies Ind. Study
INST 690 Communication and Development Ind. Study.
INST 610E HIV/AIDS Research-Botswana
TCOM 694 Telecommunications Ind. Study
TCOM 498 Special Problems in Tele-Communications TCOM 499 Independent Readings
Participants must register for a full load of coursework.

Travel Documents
    US Citizens
  • Passports: All US citizens must have a valid passport for international travel. Visit Passport and visa information for application details.
  • Visas: US citizens will not need a visa for stays up to (90) days. If you are planning on studying or traveling outside of the program dates, please visit the Botswana Embassy for information on visa requirements and applications. You will need a passport when applying for a visa, please apply for your passport when you apply to the program.
    Non-US Citizens
  • We recommend you speak with an advisor in International Faculty and Student Services before you commit to any program.
  • If you plan to return to the US after your program, you must contact International Faculty and Student Services to verify that you will be eligible to re-enter the country. All international students holding a non-immigrant visa must visit International Faculty and Student Services to receive necessary signatures 4 to 6 weeks before your departure.
  • Host country visas: You may need a visa or other travel document for travel to this country, visit the  Botswana Embassy for more information. If you will travel through another country to reach this destination, you may need a transit visa for this stop-over. You can find more information from the embassy of the country you are traveling through; embassy websites are listed at http://www.embassiesabroad.com/.

Costs
Billed by Ohio University:

  • Tuition: Full-time OU tuition
  • Administrative Fee: $150
  • Program Fee: $3,600 (includes roundtrip airfare, housing, meals, in-country transportation, site visits, health insurance and excursions)

Out-of-pocket expenses:

  • Passport and photos: $110
  • Visa: $107
  • Immunizations and anti-malarial medication: $330
    For info. on vaccinations for this country click here.
  • Incidentals: $250

*Costs are subject to change. Financial aid may be applied to program costs.

For more information:
Lori Lammert
Office of Education Abroad
lammert@ohio.edu
(740) 593-4583 

Or

Dr. Yegan Pillay
pillay@ohio.edu

Yamada International House, 56 E. Union Street, Athens OH 45701 (740) 593-1840