GoAbroad

Study Abroad Programs in Uganda

Studying abroad naturally takes a bit of open mindedness and an adventurous spirit, regardless of where you choose to go. However, some locations are far enough removed from the typical study abroad experience that they require just a little bit more effort and curiosity. Enter Uganda, an East African nation that isn’t found at the top of most study abroad wish lists, and yet it offers some fantastic opportunities for international education. If a nontraditional experience is what you’re after, study abroad in Uganda is an inexpensive, beautiful, and thoroughly fascinating choice to consider.

Read More
AIFS study abroad

Featured Provider of the Month

Ready for a change of scenery? Study abroad on a life-changing program!
with AIFS Abroad

8 Study Abroad Programs in Uganda

International Medical Aid (IMA)
9.9497 reviews

International Medical Aid (IMA)

Global Health & Pre-Medicine Internships Abroad | IMA

IMA offers an opportunity to enhance your medical and healthcare ...

See All 7 Programs
SIT Study Abroad
91 reviews

SIT Study Abroad

SIT Study Abroad: Rwanda: Post-Genocide Restoration

On Rwanda: Post-Genocide Restoration and Peacebuilding, examine t...

Popular Providers

Latest Program Reviews

My Life-Changing Pre-Medical Journey: Gaining Perspective and Learning Compassion in Mombasa, Kenya

by: Kaylyn Montoya - CanadaProgram: Global Health & Pre-Medicine Internships Abroad | IMA
10

My time in Mombasa, Kenya was amazing. The staff were great support and always friendly and willing to help you in any capacity. The food was amazing with a variety of familiar and local cuisine. Being able to visit the local schools and talk about hygiene was a highlight, with the children being so welcoming and kind. I was very impressed that there were opportunities to go on cultural treks during my stay there as well as visiting various landmarks and the market. By far, my favorite part was being in the hospital. There was never a dull moment and always something to learn. With brilliant, compassionate and innovative doctors I learned more than I could have ever imagined. My time in Mombasa, Kenya has cemented my dream to work abroad in developing countries and provide healthcare services. The doctors I shadowed showed what it truly means to be a great doctor regardless of intelligence. This experience was life-changing, broadening my perspective on the world and allowing for great reflection on my own life and opportunities. My journey to Kenya is one I will never forget and take with me through my education to becoming a doctor continuing through when I become a practicing physician. During elementary school is when I first heard about organizations where doctors go to underserved and underdeveloped countries to provide healthcare. It was at this time that I knew I wanted to go to medical school to become a doctor and go abroad with these organizations. Having the opportunity to go to Kenya has solidified these dreams of working abroad and providing care to those less fortunate. The doctors I was able to shadow showed through their actions what it means to be a great doctor. It was eye-opening to see firsthand the struggles of those in the lower class of society concerning access to healthcare and the difference between Canadian and Kenyan healthcare systems. Overall my experience in Kenya has shown me what I truly want to do as a doctor, what type of doctor I want to be, and has allowed me to further put into perspective how privileged I am. My experience in Kenya has provided me with a wealth of knowledge firsthand of what a doctor's job in a developing country entails. The doctors at Coast General Teaching and Referal Hospital (CGTRH) are some of the most innovative and brilliant people I have met. This is due to their need to be creative in their approach to treating patients whether it is to help keep costs down for the patient or due to the lack of resources. I witnessed several ways the doctors have had to be innovative due to a lack of resources, for example when taking blood samples they cut the cuff off of an examination glove and use that as a tourniquet. Compared to Canada, we have an abundance of rubber tourniquets and may use more than one on a patient if the first poke for blood draw does not work. The doctors at CGTRH and their ability to think outside the box to serve their patients with the highest degree of care have solidified my dreams of working abroad in underdeveloped and underserved countries and communities. The doctors at CGTRH have taught me so much not only in medical knowledge but about what traits make a great doctor. Some of the best doctors I had the privilege to shadow had a common trait that I quickly recognized to be compassion. This trait I find is often seen as lacking in the western world where everyone is in a rush, either to get you out of the hospital or the exam room at your family doctor. What the Canadian and Kenyan societies prioritize are different. In Canada, it is a fast pace society mainly focusing on one's self, whereas in Kenya it is more of a collectivist society focusing on family and helping out one another. This difference between societies can be seen in the way doctors treat their patients. An example of these doctors' altruistic behaviours was when a patient needed blood work to see if their levels were back to baseline in order to be discharged, as they were feeling a lot better the doctors felt no need for her to continue staying. Although they were still held because they couldn’t afford the cost of blood work, this lead to the doctors themselves paying for the patient's bloodwork so they no longer had to stay in the hospital. These actions of the doctors not only allowed the patient to go home to their family, but also served the patient because as found by Hauck and Zhao (2011) “A hospital stay carries a 5.5% risk of an adverse drug reaction, 17.6% risk of infection, and 3.1% risk of ulcer for an average episode, and each additional night in hospital increases the risk by 0.5% for adverse drug reactions, 1.6% for infections, and 0.5% for ulcers.” Seeing how the doctors cared for each and every patient, treating them as equals and with compassion has really shown me the traits of a doctor I strive to be. In Canada, we have universal healthcare furthermore, I have insurance provided to my parents through their work that continues to cover me as a student. These two combined allow me to go to my family doctor, the emergency room, physiotherapist, massage therapist, chiropractors and more without enduring any cost and not putting any financial strain on my family. This fact until recently was nothing special to me, I never appreciated how fortunate I am as a Canadian to have access to healthcare anytime I need without thinking of how I am going to afford it. As I grew up I learned in the USA healthcare can be very expensive and it deters a lot of people from visiting the doctor. Upon arriving in Kenya I learned despite volunteering at a public hospital, patients still needed to pay. This was quite a stark difference between the Canadian and Kenyan healthcare systems as Canada only has a public sector that does not bill you. Although the Kenyan public sector is heavily subsidized by the government non the less, I saw many families unable to afford certain tests and treatments due to the financial strain. The cost of tests and treatments at a first glance looks very low, especially compared to what I have heard about treatment costs in the USA. But as I continued to learn more about Kenya I was informed that 36.1% of Kenyans live below the International poverty line (International Medical Aid, 2022) and the international poverty line is $1.90 (World Vision, 2021). I was humbled in seeing the difference in healthcare systems and these facts were able to put into perspective why what at first seemed like low prices for healthcare was truly a financial burden for so many Kenyans at CGTRH. My time in Kenya is one I will never forget, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that has further allowed me to appreciate my opportunities in Canada and broaden my world views with regard to developing countries. CGTRH and their doctors have really given me a new perspective on what it means to be a doctor and a healthcare provider. I enjoyed witnessing the many facets of what being a doctor is, and how doctors working in regions with limited resources go about treating patients. Being able to shadow doctors in a country that has alternative priorities than the western world truly showed me various attributes that go into being a great doctor regardless of how intelligent you are. Being able to witness and learn firsthand about a different healthcare system was humbling and gave me a greater appreciation for what I have. I am grateful to International Medical Aid for providing such an eye-opening and life-changing experience that has allowed me to truly find what I am passionate about.

A Guide to Studying Abroad in Uganda

Locations

Since study abroad programs in Uganda are often not conducted in a university setting, but rather in the field or in multiple settings, the best location for study abroad in Uganda varies by the field and program. Most study abroad programs in Uganda are centered around a specific topic and will consequently be taught in the most appropriate location (or locations) for that subject. Of course, there are still some areas of the country that are more appropriate for international students than others. The larger cities tend to be the “home base” for most study abroad programs in Uganda, so the following cities are where students typically call home.

Like a strong cup of chai, Kampala is seeped in multicultural and multi faith history. As the largest city in Uganda, and the capital, students will surely never be bored. Students in Kampala will have unique opportunities to rub elbows with humanitarians and politicians alike; many international humanitarian organizations, such as USAID, have headquarters in Kampala. 

The smaller, further-flung city of Kabale is an excellent option for students who really want to get into the thick of it. Located in the southwest, Kabale is close to the border of Rwanda and near to infamous gorillas. Since it is a much smaller town, foreigners are few and far between. There is no better place for students interested in a truly authentic and immersive Ugandan experience to study abroad in Uganda than Kabale. Added perk: it’s high in the mountains, making malaria and mosquitos hard to come by!

The towns of Entebbe and Jinja, both roughly 50 miles in opposite directions from Kampala, are also popular for study abroad in Uganda. Entebbe is the port of entry and situated on Lake Victoria, the third largest freshwater lake in the world by area and one of Africa’s Great Lakes. Unfortunately, it isn’t very safe for swimming, but the shoreside botanical gardens make for a perfect afternoon picnic (and monkey watching!).

Jinja, alternatively, is the most touristy town in all of Uganda. Why, you may be wondering? The headwaters of one of Africa’s most famous natural resources calls Jinja home: the Nile River! If you have a penchant for adventure or go ape for delicious coffee, chilled-out Jinja will easily become the coolest place you ever went to “school.”

Deals Banner Image
Apply for Scholarships & Deals on GoAbroad

to get exclusive discounts on meaningful travel programs!

Apply Now

Recent Study Abroad Articles