Study in Botswana (in English) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Experience the awe-inspiring natural landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa while enjoying everything the city of Gaborone has to offer from historical museums and local artisan markets to stunning hikes and opportunities to encounter wildlife at a local private reserve.
• Join a campus of 16,000 students at a university renowned for African studies, biology, environmental science, and social sciences.
• Integrate into your host community by joining one of 100+ campus clubs or by participating in the student buddy program, where a local student helps you from your airport arrival to helping you settle into Botswana throughout the semester
LIFE ABROAD
In Gaborone (or Gabs city as it is known colloquially), prepare to be entertained by compelling art shows, fascinating cuisine, and thrilling nightlife. Also, learn about the nations’ historic roots by visiting the Three Chiefs Monument and viewing traditional Botswana crafts and paintings at the National Museum and Art Gallery.
LIVE
Live in the shared on-campus dorms located within walking distance of retail centers, night clubs, the national museum, and the national soccer stadium. On campus, you will have access to a student center with food courts, a post office, banks, ATMs, and more.
DINE
Indulge in the mouthwatering national dish of Botswana called Seswaa (meat stew served over pap, a dish made from cornmeal) at one of the local restaurants. If you would like to stay near your dorm, there are two dining halls on campus with plenty of options to choose from as well as several grocery stores located nearby. We recommend budgeting $300 per month for meals.
EXPERIENCE
Embrace the beauty of Botswana while riding a mokoro (canoe) on an aquatic safari that brings you up close to the country’s wildlife. Soak up the energy Gaborone by visiting the main mall or open-air village markets to shop for handmade crafts, traditional fabrics, and locally made jewelry. For a unique look at your host city, hike up Kgale Hill for breathtaking panoramic views of the savanna. Connect further with Botswana’s rich heritage by visiting the Bahurutshe Cultural Village where you will experience traditional dances, storytelling, and food tastings.
EXPLORE
Africa is a thrill-seeker's paradise – from the scarlet sand dunes of Namibia to bungee jumping at Victoria Falls, there are endless opportunities for adventure. You can access these experiences easily by plane or by affordable buses that leave Gaborone daily to destinations around Africa.
THRIVE
The University of Botswana provides inclusive learning and living environments to help you thrive, including disability support services, a career and counseling center, health and wellness, and more.
VOLUNTEER
There are a variety of opportunities available to engage in volunteer experiences on this program. Past examples include working with NGOs focused on safety and legal rights for women and environmental organizations that focus on conservation and forestry projects. There are also opportunities in the creative arts, health (such as HIV/AIDS support), human rights, economic development (such as micro-finance projects) and children/youth NGOs.
What We Love About Botswana
We love that Botswana offers incomparable access to nature, with nearly 38% of its territory is protected as national parks, sanctuaries, and reserves and the largest elephant population in the world. Whether you are a history buff, nature lover, or thrive in the energy of a new city, Gaborone offers something for everyone.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
The University of Botswana is widely known for African studies, environmental science, humanities and social sciences. It is also well respected for STEM studies, with an excellent engineering department. The University of Botswana is one of the few ISEP programs that offers nursing at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The science and engineering departments have well-equipped laboratory facilities which are comparable to those found in the developed world. To help get you started, the chart below highlights some of the more popular classes students have taken in the past.
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn 15-18 credits which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 15-18 U.S. Credit Hours. Each class is generally worth 3 credits.
If you use financial aid, please speak with a qualified financial aid advisor to understand your academic obligations and the requirements for using financial aid.
Sample Classes Available:
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Social Sciences |
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Migration and Globalization |
African Oral Narratives |
Cell Biology |
Environment and Population Dynamics |
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Growth, Policy, and Poverty in Africa, Latin America, South and South-East Asia |
Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Africa |
Dynamics of Savannah Ecosystems |
Globalization, Socio-Economic and Environmental Change |
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African Social Thought |
Social Inequality |
Genetics |
Botswana Environment |
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Botswana Politics |
The Social Structure of Society |
Wildlife Biology of Southern Africa |
The Human Environment System |
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
The easiest way to find courses is to download the University of Botswana Course Catalog. While some departments offer short course descriptions, many do not. Syllabi for the University of Botswana are NOT available for advanced course approval. Because of this, students should have course flexibility, as course availability is subject to change on arrival. If students cannot locate short descriptions in the course catalog, students should email the ISEP Student Student Services Officer for Botswana to see if they may be available on request.
ISEP students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics should note that there is a higher program fee when enrolling in courses from these faculties due to labs. Students may be expected to pay additional fees if they choose to enroll in one or more STEM course options.
The minimum credit load is 15 credits. Each credit hour represents one lecture hour per week. Most classes are worth 3 credits. So students should plan to take 5-6 classes and spend 15-18 hours per week in lectures.
Semester dates typically run as follows:
Fall - Semester 1
Arrival and orientation: Last week of July
Courses start: Last week of July
Exams: Last two weeks of November
Spring - Semester 2
Arrival and orientation:
Courses start: Last week of January
Exams: Last two weeks of May
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
Select a semester to calculate the price. Semesters are named according to host university's calendar.Semester Tuition
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