Global Engagement Summer Institute in Bolivia

» General Information

Location:

Cochabamba, Bolivia

Description:

The Global Engagement Summer Institute (GESI) is a two-course summer study abroad program focused on community development in a global context. Students from around the country learn about international development, global engagement practices, project management, leadership, and the realities of contemporary Bolivian, Nicaraguan, Indian, or Ugandan life by connecting them with community based organizations to co-design and collaboratively implement a small-scale community development project. GESI starts with a 7-10 day training institute at Northwestern University in which students prepare for their project-based immersion by taking two courses—Intro to International Community Development and Theory and Practice of Community Consulting—as well as learning from guest speakers about the cultural, historical, political, and economic background of their country. Students then spend 7 weeks in either Argentina, India, or Uganda living in home stays, working with a local non profit in a team of five, and participating in guest lectures and discussion with local experts and a Northwestern TA. GESI concludes with a 2-3 day comparative final summit in Chicago

For additional details, review the GESI in Bolivia program flyer and the GESI summer brochure pages.



Terms:

Summer term: June 20 - August 17. (Pre-departure training at Northwestern: June 20 - 26; overseas component: June 27 - August 14; final summit at Northwestern Aug 15- 17)

Sponsor:

Center for Global Engagement

Website:

Center for Global Engagement

Program Contact:

Nicole Patel, Program Manager, Center for Global Engagement 620 Library Place Phone: 847-467-0844

» Apply Now

Summer Application

» Related Links

» Other Programs in Bolivia

Language Requirements

1-2 years of college level Spanish

Northwestern Requirements

Cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Academic Specialties

International community development, non-profit organizations, cross-cultural collaboration, community engagement, history/culture/politics, Latin American studies.

Course Type

NU courses:

  • International Studies 390: Introduction to Community Development in an International Context
  • Communication Studies 395: International Community Development: Theory and Practice of Community Consulting

Additional Information

Policies:

Housing

Home stays

Program Costs

Summer 2010 fee: $7,400 which includes:

  • Tuition for two Northwestern courses; pre-departure training, in-country support
  • Lodging, food and city transport during pre-departure training in Chicago
  • In-country programming, including an orientation upon arrival, a mid-term field trip, a homestay, language instructions, guest speakers and ongoing oversight and support.

Approximate Program Size

15-20 students

Application Requirements

Students applying to the Global Engagement Summer Institute summer program DO NOT need to take the 101 session on Blackboard, as is required of other study abroad students.

Global Engagement Summer Institute deadlines:

Early Decision 1: December 11, 2009
Early Decision 2: January 15, 2010
Regular Deadline 1: March 3, 2010

*Spaces are filled on a rolling basis; the sooner you apply, the greater your chance of acceptance into the program.

Students must follow the application guidelines listed on the CGE website.

Note:

Make sure you passport is valid through February of 2011. If you are planning to apply to this program and you do not yet have a passport (or need to renew your current passport), you should begin this process as soon as possible so that it is completed by the time of application in early March.  The processing time for a passport application is approximately 6-8 weeks. For more information on how to apply for or renew a passport, please visit the State Department's passport web site.