Description

If you're an undergraduate who is passionately committed to global justice and international development, you're in the right place.

The Global Engagement Studies Institute program has brought together over 150 students from 33 colleges and universities around the country to learn from and work with communities in Bolivia, India, Nicaragua, South Africa and Uganda experiencing the problems of poverty and injustice. We offer placements with health, education, environment, youth development, women's empowerment, social enterprise, and microfinance organzations.

Going beyond traditional study abroad experiences, the program will place you in a team setting with a host nonprofit organization where you'll learn about international community development by developing and implementing a real project in areas from youth education to microfinance and beyond.

If you're looking for a program where you learn by doing and are ready to get your hands dirty in the pursuit of global social change, GESI is for you.

Highlights

* Intensive pre-departure coursework and training at Northwestern (topics covered include international development history, community development principles, team decision-making processes, and leadership in multicultural environments)
* 2 full Northwestern course credits (equivalent to 6 semester hours)
* A four to five member team-based internship at vetted community-based organizations abroad
* A full summer home-stay
* 24-hour on-site supervision, care, and support
* A comprehensive post-trip reflection and Final Reflection Summit at Northwestern

Qualifications

* Undergraduate or recent student
* 3.0 GPA minimum

Intern Types

• International Relations
• Development
• Health Sciences
• Education
• Environmental Studies
• Women's Studies

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD7,500

Program Fees Include:

* Tuition for two Northwestern courses
* Lodging, food and city transport during Pre-departure Learning Summit and Final Reflection Summit in Chicago
* In-country programming, including an orientation upon arrival, a home-stay with three meals a day, language instruction, transportation stipend for travel to and from work, and ongoing oversight and support.

Cost does not cover:

* Travel to and from Chicago (students responsible for making these arrangements)
* Airfare to host country (GESI will organize group tickets at students expense)
* HTH health insurance (required)

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 4-5

Application Process Involves

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

7-14 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Northwestern University's Mission Statement

The Global Engagement Studies Institute is committed to prepare undergraduate students with the knowledge, tools and experiences to confront shared global problems. Through transformative opportunities in international service learning, students form partnerships with grassroots NGOs and communities in the developing world to advance sustainable, community-driven change.

Year Founded

2006