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Is this program right for you?

The CIEE Study Center at the University of Botswana offers students from a wide range of academic disciplines the opportunity to live and study in Botswana, learning firsthand about the country and its people, while pursuing an intensive curriculum in classes with local students. Through courses at the university and a variety of community engagement and field-based research opportunities, participants will explore Botswana and learn about its important role in the Southern African region.

Program Snapshot

  • Language and culture practicum to build a bridge between language and experiential learning; community engagement and independent research opportunities
  • Wide range of direct enrollment courses for students in social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, and engineering and technology
  • Program activities to introduce students to Botswana’s rich biodiversity
  • Excursions to such places as the Gaborone Game Reserve, National Museum, Kolobeng ruins, the Jwaneng diamond mine, and the Okavango Delta

Subject Areas

  • African Languages
  • African Literature
  • Biological Sciences
  • Business
  • Culture (host country)
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Environmental Health and Science
  • History
  • Internship
  • Language (host country)
  • Literature
  • Literature (host country)
  • Media Studies
  • Political Science
  • Science
  • Setswana Language
  • Technology and Design

About Gaborone

Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable countries, and a multiparty democracy. It is unusual in that the majority of its population is from a single ethnic group, the Tswana. Gaborone, its capital and one of Africa’s fastest growing cities, lies in southeastern Botswana, close to the border of South Africa. In addition to the main campus of the University of Botswana, Gaborone also hosts the headquarters of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community, which focuses on regional development, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.

Where You'll Study

University of Botswana

Established in 1982, the University of Botswana has a student population of 15,000 and a staff of over 2,000. The University’s vision is to be a leading center of academic excellence in Africa and the world; its mission is to improve economic and social conditions for the Nation, while advancing itself as a distinctively African university with a regional and international outlook. The University is committed to its students, to academic freedom and integrity, to cultural authenticity, and to internationalism. It comprises six faculties, a School of Graduate Studies, and five academic centers.

Thoughts From Abroad

Botswana is Africa’s shining example of a stable and peaceful democracy. It is one of the few African countries that enjoys scheduled popular elections and a democratic, multiparty government. The Botswana culture has evolved in response to urbanization, westernization, modernization, and globalization. The evolution of Setswana culture, however, has posed a number of challenges to locals and foreigners alike. It is very interesting to see how Batswana are balancing tradition and modernity in a rapidly changing environment. Gaborone (pop. 250,000) is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, as well as the hub of commercial activities in the country. It is here that students are exposed to a higher socio-economic stratum.

Botswana has also been “crowned” the jewel of Africa in as far as tourism is concerned. The country boasts some of the region’s major tourist attractions, including its well-preserved and managed national parks, the Okavango Delta, and the majestic Kalahari Desert. Beneath the surface, however, tourism presents a set of complex challenges that provide a great learning opportunity for our students. Does Botswana need to increase acreage of grazing lands for wild animals or that of cattle? How do the competing needs for economic growth through prospecting for diamonds stand in conflict with the needs of the First Peoples and/or tourism? As students explore these and other related issues, the complexity becomes evident, thus providing a rich field of study and research.

— Batsirai Chidzodzo, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Batsirai Chidzodzo received his B.A. from the University of Zimbabwe and holds a Diploma in Personnel Management from the Institute of Personnel Management of Zimbabwe. He recently completed an M.B.A. at De Montfort University, where he was recognized for his thesis focusing on the flight of intellectual capital from Zimbabwe. A native of Zimbabwe, Batsirai has spent over 10 years working with U.S. study abroad programs in Zimbabwe and Botswana. Batsirai’s research interests include the history and politics of Southern Africa in relation to global political history.

Recommended Credit

semester: 16 semester/24 quarter hours
academic year: 32 semester/48 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75

Program Dates

Fall 20097/29/2009 - 12/3/2009
Academic Year 2009-107/29/2009 - 5/6/2010
Spring 20101/4/2010 - 5/6/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201011/1/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200918 weeks
late July - early December
Academic Year 2009-1039 weeks
late July - early May
Spring 201018 weeks
early January - early May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $11,500
    The CIEE program fee includes tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$10,126
    Housing$1,300
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$11,500

    The CIEE program fee includes tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$2,300
    Meals$1,200
    Personal Expenses$1,800
    Books and Supplies$400
    Local Transportation$150
    Total$5,850


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $20,700
    The CIEE program fee includes tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$18,026
    Housing$2,600
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$20,700

    The CIEE program fee includes tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Books and Supplies$800
    Personal Expenses*$3,600
    Meals$2,400
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$2,300
    Local Transportation$300
    Total$9,400

    *Students on the Academic Year program should budget an additional $700 for the break between semesters, which covers the estimated cost of housing and meals.


  • Spring 2010 $11,700
    The CIEE program fee includes tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Housing$1,300
    Medical Insurance$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participant Confirmation Fee)$10,326
    Total$11,700

    The CIEE program fee includes tuition, housing, optional on-site airport meet and greet, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$2,300
    Personal Expenses$1,800
    Meals$1,200
    Books and Supplies$150
    Local Transportation$125
    Total$5,575


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.