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ACM Botswana digital story
Courtesy of Megan Slavish, Beloit College
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An African success story, Botswana is endowed with rich mineral resources, including diamonds, and has benefited from uninterrupted and effective civilian leadership since independence in 1966. Its government has negotiated contracts with multinational corporations such as DeBeers, which stand in stark contrast to the exploitation of African resources during much of the colonial era. The returns from its mineral wealth, augmented with income from tourism, cattle ranching, and financial services, have been invested in education and various social services. As a leader in SADC (Southern African Development Community), Botswana has played a leading role in the region since the 1980s, from the time that South Africa was still under apartheid, and more recently in negotiations with Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Although, like many other countries in Africa, it has had to confront the problem of HIV/AIDS and the resulting social disruptions, Botswana demonstrates that progressive social policies can mitigate some of the effects of the disease. Botswana thus provides both a healthy antidote to the negative characterizations of Africa often found in American media and a rich array of possible solutions to the various crises of the third world.
The ACM Botswana program is designed for students with interests in politics, political economy, economic and social development, public health, and environmental studies. Housed at the University of Botswana in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital, the program is offered each spring semester, and combines formal class study with site visits to places in and around Gaborone and a credit-bearing independent study project. Classes include Setswana language, a course taught by the ACM faculty director, and an elective course at the University of Botswana. All students also participate in service activities with organizations and non-governmental organizations in Gaborone, with these community engagement opportunities typically related to their independent study projects.
During the semester-long program, students are housed in a residence hall at the University of Botswana. Among the excursions typically planned are a weekend trip to Johannesburg, South Africa; a week-long trip to Maun, near the Okavango Delta in the north; and a visit to the Jwaneng diamond mine.
For more detailed information, please use the links located on the left-hand side of this page.
Quick Facts
- Term: Spring semester
- Language prerequisite: None
- Language of instruction: English (plus Setswana language class)
- Living arrangements: Student dormitory
- Who can apply? Students from any college or university
Application deadlines
Spring semester 2014
Early deadline: March 15, 2013
Do I need to apply early?
The early application date is available for students whose college requires that all off-campus study applications for the entire upcoming academic year must be completed the prior spring semester. If your college does not require a spring decision for programs the following spring, you may apply by either the early or final application deadline.
Final deadline: October 15, 2013
Spring semester 2015
Early deadline: March 15, 2014
Do I need to apply early?
The early application date is available for students whose college requires that all off-campus study applications for the entire upcoming academic year must be completed the prior spring semester. If your college does not require a spring decision for programs the following spring, you may apply by either the early or final application deadline.
Final deadline: October 15, 2014
If the deadline has passed and you are interested in applying, contact the ACM Office immediately. Late applications may be accepted on a space-available basis.
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Program contacts
Emily Gaul
Program Associate
11 E. Adams Street, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312.263.5000
egaul@acm.edu
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Publications & Resources
Botswana program brochure
Botswana student handbook - Spring 2011