LOCATION
 
Uganda is located in east Africa, surrounded with Tanzania and Rwanda to the south, Zaire to the west, Sudan to the north, and Kenya to the east. Named by Winston Churchill as “the pearl of Africa,” Uganda is filled with breathtaking landscapes. When thinking about an African country, safari desert comes to mind; however Uganda is so much more than that. With all its natural beauty, it is home to national parks, extensive savannahs and to a rich and diverse wildlife habitat. Thanks to regular rainfall, regions of dense tropical rainforests flourish, filled with unique vegetation and birdlife. Lake Victoria, the 2nd largest fresh water lake, covers most of Uganda’s southwestern boundary. The lake supports vast wetlands and allows for unlimited supply of fresh water. Lake Victoria is also the source of the famous river Nile. Uganda’s beautiful rolling mountains and turbulent rivers create amazing waterfalls and present spectacular scenic views.

Despite its fast growing economy and relative political stability that has characterized Uganda since 1986; Uganda is still a developing country. Progress has been made with respect to privatization, decentralization and liberalization, allowing the private sector, civil society and non-governmental organizations to grow and develop. Uganda now has one of the strongest women’s movements in sub-Saharan Africa.

The capital city of Kampala is a rapidly growing, cosmopolitan city of over a million people. Situated in the central region of the country, just 26 miles from the equator and on the shores of Lake Victoria, this city is in many ways the center of Uganda. Like any other modern city, Kampala is full of hustle and bustle. The craziness that is the transportation system only adds to the feel.  Kampala’s markets abound, are an experience not to be missed. In addition to pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, there is the Uganda National Theatre open daily and Uganda’s National Museum.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

The semester long program in Uganda is offered through the School for International Training (SIT) and focuses on the field of developmental studies. Students are based in Kampala, where they attend courses at Makerere University, Uganda’s leading institution of higher education. After completing orientation the first week of the program, students begin their study by participating in lectures and discussions held by Makerere University professors and development practitioners. The main topics of the lectures pertain to Ugandan culture, society and development challenges.
For two weeks in the middle of the program, every student participates in an intensive study seminar to prepare for a six-week development practicum in which each student works with a grassroots organization engaged in a development project.
The program also includes study of the Luganda language, weekly student-facilitated processing sessions with the Academic Director, as well as weekly non-governmental organization site visits.

As part of their field based study, students go on several trips to national parks and to historical and cultural sites. The purpose of the field trips will be to focus on environmental issues, eco-tourism and community conservation. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the political and security issues, students visit refugee camps, displaced people’s camps and various organizations involved in the ongoing rural and urban development projects. The program also includes a week-long stay in a quiet rural setting.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Development Studies
Students deepen their understanding of the issues that challenge developing nations by studying development theories and approaches. They examine the concepts of rural and urban development, resource allocation, project evaluation and planning, private and public sector, etc.

Students then pursue further study and research one of the following three areas: Gender studies, public health issues, or grassroots development. The first week of these intensive studies is spent working with scholars from one of the three areas, followed by a field study at a site outside Kampala.

Development Practicum
In the last six weeks of the program, students complete a development practicum, putting to practice the knowledge gained in the course of their studies. Students choose to work for either a government or a non-government development organization and their work will expose them to relevant development topics such as infectious diseases prevention, gender issues, management of refugee camps, early childhood development and general rural development. Upon the completion of the practicum, each student writes an extensive paper evaluating and analyzing the project they researched or organization they worked with. Students are also required to presents their work to the group.

Peace and Conflict Seminar
Students could also attend a summer program in Uganda focusing on Peace and Conflict Studies.
This program examines the historical, political, and social dimensions of the conflicts of the Lake Victoria Basin.  Working with a local non-governmental organization, students study the issues and challenges of peace building; they visit refugee camps and internally displaced people’s camps where they examine challenges facing the region and the actions being taken in response to the problems. In addition, the program takes students to the neighboring country of Rwanda, the location of the unprecedented genocide.

PROGRAM DATES

In general, the fall semester program begins the first week of September and ends in mid-December. Spring semester programs generally begin the first week of February and end in mid-May. The summer program lasts seven weeks from early June to late July.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAM

The program is open to qualified sophomore and juniors of the University of Notre Dame. Candidates must have a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale, must demonstrate adaptability to new situations, desire and motivation for residence and study abroad, and be free of serious moral, social or psychological problems. Participants are chosen by a selection committee for International Study Programs. Application Deadline: November 15 (Fall, Spring and Summer Session)

There is much more we can tell you — about this location, vibrant religious, cultural and recreational life of this community ... about the student housing, transportation, health care and much more. It is, after all, the details that make this program so appealing. Interested? Just click here for additional information.