Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Experience the beauty and cultural diversity of Botswana while studying alongside local and international students at the University of Botswana. Offered through Interstudy, this program is co-sponsored by UW-Madison. You have the opportunity to study in Bostwana for the semester or academic year.
One of Africa's most stable democracies, Botswana is home to the world-renown Okavango Delta and Kalahari thirst land. When Botswana gained independence in 1966, it was among the poorest nations in the world. The presence of extensive mineral resources, and the responsible use of diamond profits by the government, has resulted in Botswana having one of the highest rates of GDP per capita on the African continent.
Botswana is one of Africa?s most stable countries and a multiparty democracy. Gaborone is the capital of Botswana and has the usual facilities of any modern capital city, small though it may be by world standards. The older part of Gaborone, the old "Village", is steeped in colonial history. Remains of the old fort, established when Pioneer Columns were advancing into what became Rhodesia, are still visible. Gaborone also hosts the headquarters of the 14-nation Southern African Development Community, which focuses on regional development, economic growth, and poverty alleviation.
Getting to Your Program
Interstudy offers a group flight for this program. If you choose to make your own travel arrangements, you will be given guidelines for arrival dates and times. Provided you arrive on the designated day and time, an Interstudy staff member will meet you at the airport and travel with you to your university.
Visa
U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. A student permit is required for U.S. citizens prior to departure. Interstudy will provide you with information and assist with this process.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Interstudy will also provide students with an on-site orientation. The on-site orientations include a wide variety of topics including the academic program, expectations, health and safety, local transportation, communication systems and other practical matters.
Housing
Students live on campus in centrally located undergraduate housing with local and international students. Meals are available at the two university cafeterias or can be purchased in shops on or near campus.
Excursions and Activities
While at the University of Botswana, you can join clubs as well as sports and recreational activities, which provide a great opportunity to meet local students. Some options include the Wildlife Society, Writer?s Workshop, Ballroom Dancing Club, Environmental Conservation Society and the University Choir.
Each semester Interstudy sponsors four excursions: an orientation excursion, an overnight weekend excursion, a separate one-day excursion, and a farewell dinner. During these events, you will get together with other Interstudy students from your region or country to explore and get a taste of what you surroundings offer. This gives you the chance to meet your peers from some of the other Interstudy programs, exchange experiences from respective campuses, and travel to locations you may not see otherwise. The excursions include all transportation, accommodation, most meals, and ticket charges.
Excursions for South Africa and Botswana students have included: Robben Island, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Valley of Desolation, Drakensberg, St. Lucia Estuary, and Theewaterskloof Dam. Students have gone on game drives, enjoyed braais, climbed Table Mountain, canoed, kayaked, mountain biked, camped, gone to surf school, etc.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
Returned Student Network
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here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
The University of Botswana (UB) was established with help from the "One Man One Beast" campaign, which raised money from the people of Botswana in the form of cash, cattle, grain, eggs and other unique contributions. UB has four campuses: two in the capital city Gaborone, one in Francistown, and another in Maun. It is the leading institution of higher education in the country, and its main campus is located just minutes from central Gaborone.
The University is made up of six faculties: Business, Education, Engineering and Technology, Humanities, Science, and Social Sciences. All courses are taught in English. You will attend classes alongside local students on the main campus in Gaborone and may select classes from the full range of academic departments.
Program Web Page(s)
Interstudy program in Botswana
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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