Study Abroad Programs

Students with an interest in other study abroad opportunities in Africa will find this section as a recourse for the various opportunities offered through the University of Washington and other organizations. For more information on the UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges, visit their website. Study Abroad information is categorized in the following way on our website. Please click on the information you want to go to that particular section:

SUMMER 2010 STUDY ABROAD:

HEALTH, HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN KENYA

 

July1 – August 20, 2010
16 credits


Click here to download the ASP Study Abroad Application Form.

The African Studies Program at the Jackson School of International is Pleased to offer an innovative three-quarter course of study on Health, Human Rights and Social Transformation in the Greater Horn of Africa. The sequence consists of three components: a preparatory foundational course in health and human rights taken Winter quarter 2010; an introductory Swahili language instruction taken Spring quarter; and a ten-week study abroad (field practicum) in Nairobi, Kenya.

STUDY ABROAD COURSE DESIGN

The first component of the summer field practicum will be placing students in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working in areas of health, development, human rights, and/or women rights issues in Nairobi. Students will engage in 24 hours per week of practicum internships, supervised by staff at the agencies in which they are placed.

The second component of the summer field practicum consists of an integrative seminar to equip students to critically reflect on and utilize the various human rights, public health, social work, and development theories and skills they have previously learned . This seminar will meet twice a week and will be led by Prof. Joel Ngugi from the Law School.

The third component of the summer field practicum will consist of an intermediate level course in Swahili , building on spring quarter’s instruction.

Prerequisites to participate in study abroad:

  • SISAF490/SSW SOC WF495: Health, Development, and Social
    Transformation in the Greater Horn of Africa
    (Offered winter quarter 2010)
  • AFRAM 306B:
    Swahili: Language, Culture, and Healing
    (Offered spring quarter 2010)

ELIGIBILITY

The study abroad is limited to fifteen students. All UW students are eligible to apply. Preferences will be given to undergraduates but there are up to 5 slots available to graduate students. Student selection will take into account the following:

  • Applicants must enroll in the pre-requisite courses: Health, Human Rights and Social Transformation in the Greater Horn of Africa (winter ‘10) and Swahili: Language, Culture, and Healing - Beginner’s course (spring ‘10)
  • The intellectual capacity of the applicant as evidenced by the applicant’s GPA and quality of application materials;
  • Student’s career plans and commitment to the subject matter of the program (health and human rights);
  • Personal suitability of the applicants;
  • Disciplinary diversity of the students. Our aim is to draw from the various professional schools and departments to give students a chance to work in inter-disciplinary teams.

CREDITS

In addition to the ten credits earned for the winter and spring courses, participating students will receive academic credits as follows:

  • SIS 497: Internship Placement (6 credits)
  • AFRAM 498: Swahili: Language, Culture, & Healing-Intermediate course (5 credits)
  • SISAF 490: Seminar: Intersection of Human Rights, Health & Development Law & Policy (5 credits)

CLASSES IN NAIROBI

In addition to the internship placement for which students will receive 6 credits (for 24 hours of work per week), students will take two other classes while in Nairobi. The integrative seminar will meet twice a week (on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings) and the Swahili class will meet from Monday through Thursday, 8‐9 am and on Fridays at noon – 1 pm. Both classes will meet at the United Kenya Club– which is a ten‐minute walk from the Norfolk Towers, right next to the University of Nairobi.

HOUSING AND MEALS

Students will live in the heart of Nairobi city at the Norfolk Towers, a high‐end, series of low rise apartments with balconies in a fully protected, gated compound next to the Fairmont Norfolk Hotel.

Students will share three‐bedroom fullyfurnished apartments (each student will have her own bedroom). The apartment complex is a few minutes walk from a main grocery store in Nairobi (Nakumatt), along with other various restaurants and stores. Students will be responsible for cooking their own food.

EDUCATIONAL EXCURSION

An educational excursion will be to Maasai Mara National Park, most famous for its lions and for the great migration of wildebeest and zebras from the short grass plains of the Serengeti into the Mara Reserve. The educational excursion will be a three‐day, two‐night safari.

COSTS

Estimated Total Fees: $5600.00 program fees + $250 International Programs & Exchanges fee

Program fees include instructional costs, room/apartment, some local ground transport costs, and educational excursions. Program fees do not include international airfare, International Student I.D. Card, books, meals and entertainment, insurance, personal pending money; predeparture immunizations, and visa fees. The $250.00 International Programs and Exchanges fee is in addition to the $5600 program fees.

Program fees are paid in dollars; most program expenses are paid in Kenya Shillings. The African Studies Program reserves the right to modify the program fee based upon dollar devaluation or severe inflation. If such a change occurs, students will be notified of the increase and an adjustment will be made to the final program payment.

REFUND SCHEDULE

Accepted students who choose to withdraw from the program, must 1) submit notice of their decision in writing to the program director & 2) must turn in the formal withdrawal request form to the International Programs and Exchanges (IPE) Office, which is available on‐line at http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/WithdrawDefer.pdf.

The withdrawal date is considered the date a withdrawal form is received by the IPE Office. In the event that the accepted student decides to withdraw , the student will be subject to the following
refund and withdrawal policy: The $350 program deposit and $250 IPE Fee are nonrefundable.

HEALTH INSURANCE

The University of Washington strongly recommends that all UW students participating in foreign study purchase the UW Study Abroad Health Insurance. For a complete description please go to: http://ipe.washington.edu/domestic/insurance.html.

APPLICATION

To be considered for the program, please complete and submit the following to the African Studies Program, University of Washington, 326 Thomson Hall, Box 353650, Seattle, WA 98198, in one complete packet:

  • Application Form
  • 2 letters of recommendation: on of which much be from a UW instructor who is familiar with your academic work.
  • Transcripts: A current unofficial UW transcript (available at: http://MyUW.washington.edu; please choose the "printer-friendly version" for unofficial transcripts) and official transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended.
  • Personal Statement: In two to three pages, typed and double-spaced, a statement indicating your background and qualifications for study and living abroad, your reasons for choosing this program, and its relevance for your intellectual, academic or professional development.  Include any other information that you feel is relevant to your application.
  • Resume: including educational history (colleges/universities attended), employment, internships/volunteering experience and extracurricular activities (student clubs, etc.).

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Acceptance into the program will be based on the application
materials, interviews, and the student’s demonstration of both aptitude and motivation to challenge themselves intellectually in a cross‐disciplinary mode.

Completed applications should be submitted to the African Studies Program office.
All attachments should be double sided. Please use as little paper as possible. Materials can be either submitted in person to 326 Thomson Hall, or mailed to the following address:

African Studies Program
University of Washington
Box 353650
Seattle, WA 98195
Phone: 206.616.0998

Return to Top

General Information

The University of Washington offers a number of opportunities for students to study, attend classes, and undertake research in various parts of Africa. Most programs require junior standing or above, completion of at least one African studies course, and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Some are direct exchange programs in which the student pays his/her usual UW tuition, while others specify a program fee.

Attending school in the country of study broadens student knowledge but, more importantly, it sharpens his or her understanding of the complexities of both local and global problems. Being there encourages an appreciation of the beauty and value of cultural traditions, while simultaneously providing opportunities for input from Western perspectives.

Foreign Study may be pursued as an early fall start during the summer, for one quarter/semester or a full academic year and coursework is credited as appropriate. Coursework completed in Africa will generally count towards the Minor.

There are several options for study abroad including UW Departmental programs, UW affiliated or direct exchanges or other study abroad programs that are not affiliated with the University of Washington. This page gives an overview of the different programs available for study in Africa. For more information, please visit the Office of International Programs and Exchanges website.

Return to Top

University of Washington Departmental Programs:

University of Washington Departmental Programs are study abroad opportunities that are organized by University of Washington departments. The following programs have been approved for UW credit:

CHID Exploration Seminars:

Exploration Seminars allow students to get out of the classroom and into the world by offering an “early fall start” between the summer and fall quarters. Previous years have found seminars in Africa or related to Africa, such as:

For more information about the CHID exploration seminars, please visit the Exploration Seminar Website.

CHID Departmental Program in Cape Town, South Africa

The Program in the Comparative History of Ideas is widely recognized and respected for its innovative and transformative international programs. CHID believes that a “foreign” experience should be a part of every liberal education, not as a means of escape or self-affirmation, but as a path toward critical realistic participation in a world that is both increasingly unified and persistently diverse. There is a departmental study abroad program in Cape Town, South Africa each winter quarter. For more information, contact Doug Merrell at dmerrill@u.washington.edu or visit the CHID website.

Return to Top

University of Washington Affiliated Programs & Direct Exchanges:

Affiliated programs and direct exchanges are study abroad opportunities that are organized by UW-member consortia or outside providers and universities.  These programs (SIT and CIEE) have been evaluated by the University of Washington and have been approved in advance for UW credit. For more details on African study options, plus funding opportunities for international study, go to the website of the Office of International Programs and Exchanges. 

Current Direct Exchanges:

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) Programs:

CIEE creates and administers programs that allow high school and university students and educators to study and teach abroad. Among many activities, CIEE administers 95 study abroad programs in over 33 host countries including Ghana, Senegal and South Africa.

School for International Training (SIT) Programs:

The School for International Training (SIT) aims to prepare students to be interculturally effective leaders, professionals, and citizens. In so doing, SIT fosters a worldwide network of individuals and organizations committed to responsible engagement in a changing world. SIT has programs in over 56 countries around the world, including 13 African countries:

Scholarships ranging from $1,500-$5,000 are available for SIT Programs. Contact the Office of International Programs and Exchanges for more information. The IPE scholarship application is available here. More information about SIT scholarships can be found on their website.

Return to Top

Global IE3 Internships:


IE3 Global Internships was created by the Oregon University System to provide university students with an improved understanding of global issues and equip them with professional experience and international competence. Since the beginning of the program in 1995, over 1000 interns have participated in the program. For more information, visit the Global IE3 Internship website.

Students earn academic credit on their home campuses while abroad on their internship. IE3 Global Internships arranges placement and provides pre-departure orientation, international health insurance, learning tools, monitoring and support. A program fee is charged in lieu of tuition. The program fee includes academic credit (up to 12 quarter credit hours the first term). Most forms of financial aid can be applied toward the costs of an internship. For current internship openings, visit the Global IE3 Current Openings List.

Return to Top

Additional Study Abroad Opportunities:

There are numerous study abroad options unaffiliated with the University of Washington. If you wish to investigate non-UW options, excellent sources for information include:

Please Note: In order to concurrently enroll in the UW while participating in one of these options, you will be required to follow the instructions outlined in the "Unaffiliated Foreign Study Opportunities" packet.

Links to Other Study Abroad Opportunities:

Return to Top

Postgraduate Catalyst Survey
Congratulations recent JSIS graduates. We want to hear from you!
African Studies Program
University of Washington
326 Thomson Hall
Box 353650
Seattle, WA 98195

Joel Ngugi / Chair
Associate Professor, School of Law
►jngugi@u.washington.edu

Mary Kay Gugerty/Adjunct Director
Associate Professor, Evans School of Public Affairs
►gugerty@u.washington.edu

Erin Murphy/Program Assistant
Autumn Quarter Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 9-12, or by appt.
206.616.0998 office
206.685.0668 fax
►africa1@u.washington.edu