The Gambia Study Abroad Internship Program (Winter 2020)

EXTENDED Application Deadline: October 1, 2019

Students will intern in professional organizations run by Gambians and other Africans that are appropriate to their interests and background. For example, past students have been placed with the Forum for African Women's Education in the Gambia, with the Ministry of Health, with the office of a Member of Parliament, with non-governmental organizations promoting human rights, and so on. With a common base living at the YMCA Hostel, but internships in different organizations, students will be exposed to a learning experience that can fundamentally transform assumptions about professional expertise and global inequality. This program will offer a high-impact experience abroad, as students will approach their internship assignments with humility, making significant contributions to their host organizations in an institutional culture that is unfamiliar to them.

Before leaving for The Gambia, students will engage in pre-departure coursework at the start of winter quarter (from approximately January 7th-January 19th) before spending six weeks in Kanifeng, The Gambia (January 20th-March 1st). After returning from Kanifeng, students will conclude with post-program reflection work and final project presentations at UW Tacoma through March 14th.

This study abroad program is taught by professors Cynthia Howson and Heather Heinz from UW Tacoma.

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequities or language requirements. Students receive a total of fifteen credits for the program across two courses:

TIAS 496: The Gambia Study Abroad Internship Program (10 credits)

The Gambia Professional Internship Program (GPIP) serves to improve the overall professional experience of college and university students, by providing an opportunity abroad. The program gives students a fully supervised work experience program in The Gambia. Students will be provided a specialized internship experience in one of a variety of different organizational settings, ranging from governmental organizations and ministry, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, commercial companies and the banking sector.

Learning Goals Include:

• Evaluate and synthesize disciplinary approaches and perspectives surrounding labor, gender, ethnicity, and other socially meaningful categories in The Gambia and the world.
• Apply various analytical and/or rhetorical frameworks related to chosen case studies as they relate to the world of work, civic engagement and community development.
• Provide complex and insightful examples with an integrated analysis of how culture contributes to one’s view of the world.

TIAS 340: Development and Wellness in Africa (5 credits)

This course studies the role played by international, national and local institutions in health and development policy in The Gambia. Most of the reading and writing coursework will take place in the first and last weeks of the quarter. This is meant to give you a chance to prepare in advance and to reflect and synthesize what you have learned when you get home, so that you get the most out of your experience abroad. With a “global to local” strategy, topics will include Gambian history and politics, the roles and agendas of international development organizations, and the lived experience of power, politics, health, and sustainable livelihoods. 

Learning Goals Include:

• Evaluate and synthesize disciplinary approaches and perspectives surrounding labor, gender, ethnicity, and other socially meaningful categories in an African region and the world.
• Demonstrate comparative research and critical thinking skills for understanding a range of lived experiences in an African region, in relation to local and global communities and to analyze the way power operates in society.
• Demonstrate your skills in, and awareness of, cross-cultural engagement, based on your understanding of African responses to global challenges as they relate to the world of work, civic engagement and community development

Program Schedule

The program runs from January 7 - March 14, 2020 with January 20 - March 1 spent abroad.

Housing and Food

Students will be staying in individual rooms at the YMCA hostel in Kanifeng with access to a shared kitchen. Program fees also include a modest food allowance.

Student Eligibility

This program is open to all students on the three UW campuses.

Application Deadline

Applications are due on May 15, 2019. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by May 29, 2019. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by (date TBD). Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to The Gambia.

Visas

Visas are required to enter The Gambia for non-Gambian citizens. You can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be travelling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The progam fee is $5,750.

Included in the cost of the program:

• $350 Administrative Fee
• Instruction
• Housing and food 
• Program activities and program travel

Not included:

• Airfare
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)

Payment Due Date: January 31, 2020

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $350 UW Study Abroad Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun. The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

1. Provide notice in writing to the program director that you will no longer be participating in the program.
2. Submit a signed withdrawal form to the Office of Global Affairs. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of our website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by (date TBD) the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.