SIT Mali: Health, Gender, and Community Empowerment

» General Information

Location:

Bamako, Mali

Description:

Field-based, experiential learning in SIT program courses, with an independent study component. This program examines development initiatives through the interplay of gender dynamics and health in Mali and gives students an opportunity to learn about the link between women's roles, family health, and improvement in development indicators. The program studies the interconnectedness of these issues, helping students understand the complexities involved in approaching health as an international development issue.

Terms:

Fall Semester (Fall Quarter), Spring Semester (Winter-Spring Quarters)

Sponsor:

School for International Training (SIT)

Website:

Mali: Health, Gender, and Community Empowerment


» Related Links

Northwestern Requirements

Two years or equivalent of college French completing at least FR 121-2 OR FR 125-2.

Program Requirements

  • Average applicant has a GPA of 3.5.
  • Students must have completed at least one year of college-level coursework at time of application.

Academic Specialties

French, Bambara, Francophone literature, French colonial and postcolonial history, and the culture, history, geography and political economy of an African nation in its local and global context. The Independent Study Project (ISP) period offers a wide range of independent field projects, with a focus on women's role in national development, involving topics such as girls in primary education, prenatal and child health, family planning, women's small businesses and entrepreneurship, women's role in the visual and performing arts, and political role and legal rights of women.

SIT programs are ideal for highly motivated students who embrace cultural challenges and seek the deepest possible immersion in a foreign setting.

Course Type

Program courses:
  • Intensive Language Study: Intermediate or Advanced French
  • Intensive Language Study: Bambara
  • Gender, Health, and Development Seminar
  • Field Study Seminar
  • Independent Study Project

Additional Information

Upon returning to Northwestern, all SIT students are required to submit copies of their independent study projects to the Northwestern Study Abroad Office. Make sure to read our guidelines, Obtaining Northwestern Credit for Independent Study-Research Projects Abroad.

The Program in African Studies (PAS) sponsors a number of events each quarter related to study abroad in Africa. If you would like to receive regular updates about PAS events via email, please contact: african-studies@northwestern.edu.

Housing

Home stays and hotels/hostels

Program Costs

Fall 2009: $21,465

  • This includes the estimated cost of tuition, room, board, books, transportation, personal expenses and SAAF. The sample costs provided are for the fall term; for other terms and for the most current cost, contact the sponsoring organization.

Approximate Program Size

15 students

Application Requirements

Prior to receiving an application, all Northwestern students must complete the following steps:
  1. Complete the mandatory Study Abroad 101 Quiz on Blackboard. Call 847-467-6400 or e-mail studyabroad@northwestern.edu (include your name and netID) to register for this quiz.
  2. After receiving a score of 90% or above, students can pick up the Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad at the Study Abroad Office. This application is not available online.
Northwestern students must complete two applications for this program:
  1. SIT program application, available on the SIT web site.
  2. Northwestern University Application for Permission to Study Abroad.
Note: SIT programs tend to fill up before their deadlines. Make sure to submit your SIT applications well before the program deadlines.

Contact Returnees

Northwestern students may enter this section of the site for a list of students who participated in this program.