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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.

What You'll Learn

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 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.

Nature of Classes

Participants take classes with other CIEE students only.

CIEE Language Commitment

At all program locations where English is not the primary language, CIEE encourages participants to use the local language whenever possible.

Internship

This program does not currently offer an internship. For a list of programs that do, visit Search for a Program and search for "internships" under "what do you want to study."

Grading System

UB courses typically utilize a continuous assessment model that includes written assignments, projects, research exercises, essays, and written and oral examinations. Students are graded on a percentage scale, a letter grade (A-F), and a grade point scale. The Language and Culture Practicum and the Community Health Practicum are assessed through student journals, classroom and field-based projects, and presentations.

Program Requirements

Students are required to take all three courses: the Setswana Language and Culture Practicum, Public and Environmental Health Issues in Botswana, and the Community Health Practicum.

Credit Description

Total recommended credit for the summer program is 8 semester/12 quarter hours.

Contact hours for the required Public and Environmental Health course and Community Health Practicum are 45 hours and recommended credit is 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours. The Setswana Language and Culture Practicum has 30 contact hours and recommended credit of 2 semester/3.5 quarter hours.

Courses

Required CIEE Courses

AFST 1001 BOTU
Setswana Language and Culture Practicum
This course introduces students to the history, culture, and language of Botswana and is designed to give students an opportunity to engage the local community in a variety of ways. In addition to providing students basic Setswana language training, the course utilizes a combination of classroom and field-based activities to help students develop a deeper and more meaningful understanding and appreciation of the local society, as well as some of the health issues that Botswana is grappling with today. Instructor: Batsirai Chidzodzo, CIEE Resident Director

PUBH 3001 BOTU
Public and Environmental Health Issues in Botswana
This course addresses scientific and social problems of health and illness in general and in Botswana, specifically. It covers concepts of public health with a focus on the health/illness process and its relationship to health management, policies, and coverage. Also discussed are the technical and scientific tools used to study health, the social and biological factors involved in illness, doctor/patient relationships, and international health issues. Instructor: Mothusi Mohutsiwa

PUBH 3002 BOTU
Community Health Practicum
This course introduces students to the multidimensional nature of health, health and preventive medicine programs, and primary healthcare administration through involvement in health-related community service. Students are assigned field placements with local health promoters in marginalized neighborhoods in and around Gaborone. Through observation and discussions with local healthcare professionals, students gain a better understanding of current health problems and hazards in Botswana, assist with the organization and coordination of public health outreach programs, and help assess the impact of environmental factors, including waste and water supply management, on human health. Toward the end of the program, students spend a week at a rural clinic for purposes of investigation, observation, and community education. A final project is based in part upon the two field experiences. Instructor: Dr. Reginald Matchaba-Hove

This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to changes as a result ofongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. Syllabi for the CIEE courses listed above are available upon request.


CIEE Study Center Syllabi
To view the most recent syllabi for courses taught by CIEE at our Study Centers, visit our syllabi site.

Faculty

The Community Health Practicum and Public and Environmental Health courses are taught by faculty from the University of Botswana. The Language and Culture Practicum is taught by CIEE staff.

Cultural Activities

The program includes guided visits to sites of historic and cultural importance in and around Gaborone, including a weekend camping trip to Mmankgodi Village and a safari drive in the Mokolodi Nature Reserve.

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.

Immersion

Immersion in the local culture is a priority at CIEE Study Centers around the world.CIEE participants make the most of their program through CIEE-guided excursions, field study and internship programs, volunteering, conversation exchanges, homestays, and special events. The opportunities will vary depending on location. read on to learn more about this program.