FAQs

GESI encourages students and parents to discuss how, and how often, they will communicate prior to the start of the program. All GESI participants will receive a cell phone upon arriving in-country. These phones can be called from the US, at families’ cost, or can be loaded with money to call the US, putting the cost burden on the student. Alumni recommend making an appointment to call home or to receive a call. Emails are also effective means of communication if students have Internet access.

A student’s daily life depends on his/her host country and project. In most cases, students can expect to be working at their host NGO’s office or in the field during the normal work day, spend time with their host family or friends in the evenings, and take the weekends off or spend it with host family. That said, students are often eager to schedule their work hours and project-related events during times at which they can involve a significant number of community members, which may mean working more weekend and evening hours while resting during the day. Day-to-day schedules will vary, depending on the pace of life in a student’s host country as well as the nature of their particular project. If you are interested in speaking with a past GESI alum about his/her experience, please contact us.

Projects vary depending on the interest of the students, the ability and background of host NGOs and the project time-frame. Past projects dealt with issues of: micro?nance, youth education, environment, human rights, social entrepreneurship, women’s right, community mobilization and public health. Click to read about past projects.

Northwestern works with the Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) to select NGOs in each country from a much larger pool of NGOs that FSD works with year round. We select and place students at organizations that demonstrate:

• a clear focus/mission easily aligned with student efforts.
• staff capacity to support a group of interns.
• ongoing programs where students can add value.
• flexibility to work with the unique sets of talents GESI students offer.
• a desire for a long-term, sustained relationship with the GESI program.

A lot! GESI and FSD emphasize project sustainability and encourage students to develop projects that will continue to positively impact communities long after the students return home. Many create projects that build the capacity of the host community. For example, students at St. Francis Healthcare in Uganda developed a training program for growing mushrooms. They taught a community leader about the growing method, who can now teach other community members about mushroom-growing.

Additionally, through FSD, GESI’s NGO partners have a constant flow of interns who can continue the work GESI participants started.

When done well, short-term experiences also:

• 1. Change the students: These experiences open the eyes of students to a new reality, equip them to create change, and send them back to their home country with a passion for an under-served place and a better sense of how they can impact global change from whatever sector they enter.
• 2. Change the community: A well-done student project makes both a short-term difference in the community, and acts as a catalyst for community development in the local community. It initiates conversations that may not otherwise have happened, enhances the capacity of key community members to make an impact, and develops processes for change that long outlive the students’ presence.
• 3. Lead to larger initiatives: Often, students stay deeply connected to their host organization and come back to work with the community to expand projects. Two recent university graduates were delegates at the first year of our Global Engagement Summit and have gone on to do incredible work in Kenya and Mali.

Andy Cunningham of Duke University has now returned to Kenya as Executive Director of the WISER project after a research trip with Dr. Sherryl Broverman in the summer of 2006. He is helping start the first model all-girls secondary boarding school and community center in Muhuru Bay, Kenya. You can watch parts of the groundbreaking ceremony and the first women’s soccer game here.

Caitlin Cohen of Brown has been working in Mali with the Mali Health Organizing Project to help 60,000 people in slum communities learn to design, implement, and evaluate their own health care solutions as well as organize to get government to invest in their health. MHOP has had a huge impact, as well as gotten some impressive media exposure: Caitlin was named one of the top 9 youth activists in the USA by DoSomething.org, and Doritos put her and MHOP on Nacho Doritos bags (100 million of them). Not bad for a 22 year old.

In Introduction to International Community Development, students are evaluated based on class participation (40%), group writing assignments (30%) and 5 reflection papers (30%).

In Theory and Practice of Community Consulting, students are evaluated based on class participation (10 %), individual learning notes (25%), and written assignments (65%), including project proposals, internal work plans, external work plans, and seven weekly written project assessments and analyses.

All components of students’ grades will be evaluated on an A,A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, F.

Grade reports are available on CAESAR soon after the end of the quarter. Grades are not given by phone, e-mail, or in person at the SCS office.

Students receive credit for two Northwestern courses: Communications Studies 395: Theory and Practice of Community Consulting and International Studies 390: Introduction to International Community Development. Click here (LINKS) for course descriptions and syllabi, and here professor bios.

GESI cannot guarantee that course credit will transfer to other colleges, but we will work closely with students and their home institutions. We encourage all students to meet with their academic advisors and registrar early to determine how/if the Northwestern credit will apply.

Each course includes 30 contact hours, which is the standard for Northwestern courses. Students receive credit for two Northwestern courses, Communications Studies 395: Theory and Practice of Community Consulting and International Studies 390: Introduction to International Community Development.

The program cost is $7,400, which covers tuition for two course credits, room and board for the Chicago-based pre-departure training, as well as, home-stays, language instruction, and in-country field trips, seminars/workshops, and supervision from the Foundation for Sustainable Development.

To put this number in perspective, two Northwestern credits during the academic year cost around $6,400 on their own.

Additional Costs: 1) Students will need to make their own travel arrangements to and from Chicago. 2) Students are responsible for the cost of their flight but GESI will make the flight arrangements through a group travel agent. 3) Northwestern University requires all students who plan to study abroad to obtain HTH health insurance coverage for the entire period of time they are studying and traveling abroad, regardless of any other coverage they might have from their parents. 4) For some countries, immunizations are recommended and visas are required at additional cost. (See health, safety and logistics for details).

Students and parents should learn more from the school’s study abroad or financial aid office to make sure they understand any available support. Many home colleges and universities may transfer school and/or federal financial aid towards the GESI program.

At Northwestern, it is possible to count the summer as one of your 12 quarters of financial aid. Check with Sue Kwan (s-kwan@northwestern.edu) at the Financial Aid Office to determine whether this would be a good strategy for you.

In the past, some students have used their course credit to allow them to graduate early or be a part-time student during their final quarter/semester.

There will also be a very limited amount of GESI scholarship money available.

We will post a separate scholarship application on this site in either December or January.

Many GESI students have successfully fundraised to cover all or part of the program fee. For fundraising ideas, please see our Fundraising Toolkit.

Others have fundraised with family and friends.

Students are responsible for booking their own transportation to and from Chicago. Upon arrival in Chicago, a GESI representative will meet the students at the airport and accompany them to the hostel. At the conclusion of the 7-day pre-departure training, students will take a group flight, arranged by GESI, to and from their host country.

GESI has implemented exhaustive safety measures approved by Northwestern University and in collaboration with FSD designed to address any health or safety issues that may arise. For more information, see “Emergency Communications and Planning” http://www.fsdinternational.org/whyfsd/safetyandsecurity

While in-country, students will live in homestays with local community members. Amenities at homestays vary by country and household; however, all families are expected to provide a bed, safe drinking water and food, and generally sanitary living conditions for students. Electricity and running water may not be available in all sites. Additionally, GESI students will live with another GESI participant of the same gender when logistically feasible.

FSD has strong relationships with many families in the host communities, and most of the families where students will be living have hosted interns in the past. All families are thoroughly vetted via the GESI/FSD network in-country to ensure that they will provide safe accommodations.

FSD also meets with each family to ensure that they understand their role as a host family. In general, families are incredibly welcoming and accommodating to students’ needs. However, it is also up to students to make wise decisions about their own safety and to follow established security procedures. Although all FSD sites are selected with certain safety and security criteria, living and working in a developing country requires vigilance. Strategies for keeping safe abroad will be discussed during the 7-day pre-departure training, as well as with the FSD site team upon arriving in-country.

Click for more information regarding FSD’s safety and security policies.

Once in-country, transportation options vary. Students will be clustered in homestays that are near the students’ partner organizations or the community where the NGO works to ensure that students live near each other. Students will either take a short walk to their NGO or use public transportation. The FSD site team, as well as students’ host families, will assist them in navigating the area during the first few days of work.

Northwestern University requires all students to obtain HTH health insurance coverage for the entire period of time they are studying and traveling abroad, regardless of any other coverage they might have from their parents. Northwestern provides Emergency Medical Services to all students through ISOS International.

FSD has identified private healthcare providers (doctors, clinics, hospitals) within each community that meet strict standards. These providers have been chosen for their knowledge of foreigner health issues and safe provision of care with past FSD interns. Should any health issues arise, students should immediately notify their FSD site team, who will ensure that they receive the proper medical attention.

All students will be provided with a cell phone that can receive international calls. This should be the first phone call in case of emergency and would provide instant communication. If for some reason families cannot get in touch with a GESI participant, they can call GESI staff at Northwestern University at 847-467-0844.

GESI and FSD discourage drug and alcohol use while in Chicago or in-country. When living and working with communities, students should strive to respect local cultural and social norms. Some GESI students may be placed in communities that frown upon drinking in any quantity.

Northwestern’s official policy on alcohol consumption during study abroad programs is as follows: “Alcohol may be consumed, within reasonable limits, by students who are of legal age in the host country. Students who choose to consume alcohol do so with the knowledge that they remain responsible for their actions at all times and are expected to drink responsibly. It is prohibited to illegally distribute alcohol to students who are not of legal drinking age. Further, excessive and irresponsible drinking leading to intoxication and behavior that interferes with the program or the rights of others is subject to immediate disciplinary action, and may result in dismissal from the program. The Study Abroad Health Insurance does not cover any injuries that occur while under the influence of alcohol, intoxicants or any drug not prescribed by a physician.

Students are prohibited from selling, using, or possessing any drugs that are considered by host country law to be illicit or illegal. Any drug infraction will be considered a grave violation of policy and will result in immediate disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from the program. In addition, students are cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with harshly by host country law enforcement.”

Please note that up-to-date pre-departure information will be provided in a packet distributed to students upon acceptance to the program. This will contain in-depth pre-departure information including packing lists, country-specific policies, and messages from the respective site teams.

GESI Summer 2009 pre-departure packets are available for download here.

It is the student’s full responsibility to secure the appropriate visa and ensure the full legality of his/her stay in the host country during the program. To do so requires consultation of resources above and beyond the information provided by GESI. GESI is available to answer questions and provide guidance for resolving visa issues, but the embassy for each country will have the most accurate, up-to-date information. Please guide your student in this process so that he/she leaves adequate time for the visa application process – these things always take longer than expected.

Bolivia: A visa is provided upon entry and cost $135. For more information visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1069.html

Uganda: Apply for a visa through the Ugandan Embassy in Washington D.C.: http://www.ugandaembassy.org

India: You need to obtain a business visa before departing for India. Please note that India Visa Center- Travisa Outsourcing is now handling visa applications within the U.S. as a private contractor to the Indian Embassy. Please visit the India Visa Center online for detailed instructions on obtaining a business visa: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/select-application.html

According to Travisa Outsourcing, your visa application will take approximately 5 business days to process once it is received by mail. Please refer to their website and the appropriate consulates to ensure a timely and successful visa application process.

Please note: The recommendations provided here are subject to change at any time. Please check with Travisa Outsourcing, or an Indian Consulate or Embassy for the most updated information.

You must apply for a business visa. This is not a suggestion, rather a requirement. You must submit an application, verification of address, two (2) passport-sized photos, an application fee, and a sponsor letter provided by FSD, which GESI will secure for you. Visit the Travisa Outsourcing website for additional information.

As a GESI participant, it is your full responsibility to identify and take all necessary health precautions prior to, during, and following the program. Please start your health preparations early, as some vaccinations must be taken as far as 8 weeks or more before departure. Providing detailed medical advice is beyond the expertise of GESI so it is very important to consult the resources below as well as medical professionals such as your doctor or local travel health clinic.

Travel Medicine Source (www.travelmedicinesource.com)

129 Waukegan Rd

Morton Grove, IL 60053

(847) 663-1566

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Recorded information about health risks and precautions for international travelers: 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

Malaria Hotline: 404-332-4555

Study abroad is increasingly recognized as a necessary component of the undergraduate experience, developing students academically, professionally, and personally. Some of the many benefits of study abroad include:

• Students experiment with their interests: Short-term field-based study abroad programs like GESI allow students to apply specific interests they may not be able to explore at their home university.

• Students hone their language skills: Every GESI student will interact with non-English-speaking communities, giving them a unique opportunity to practice languages they have previously studied, or acquire a new language. In some countries, students will be surprised to speak English a new way, with idioms and intonation and style appropriate to diverse contexts.

• Students gain transferable skills: Living and working in another culture is full of new situations and unexpected challenges. By navigating the streets of India, Ugandan business culture, or Argentinean family structures, students gain personal and professional skills that can be used throughout their lives.

• Students make lasting connections: In addition to GESI staff members, Northwestern professors, and fellow GESI participants, students form enriching relationships with homestay families, FSD site team members, NGO staff, and the communities in which they work. GESI is a true immersion experience, expanding students’ networks literally oceans away.

Adapted from http://www.sit.edu/studyabroad/1050.htm

Service learning is defined as a “course-based, credit-bearing educational experience in which students (a) participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and (b) reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of the discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility” (Bringle & Hatcher, 1995)

http://www.iupui.edu/~solctr/internship-assistance/glossary-of-experiential-education-terms/

Studies have shown that service learning has a positive effect on:

• student personal development such as sense of personal efficacy, personal identity, spiritual growth, and moral development
• interpersonal development and the ability to work well with others, leadership and communication skills
• reducing stereotypes and facilitating cultural & racial understanding
• sense of social responsibility and citizenship skills
• commitment to service:

Students or faculty report that service-learning:

• has a positive impact on students’ academic learning
• improves students’ ability to apply what they have learned in “the real world”

Additionally, service learning:

• has an impact on such academic outcomes as demonstrated complexity of understanding, problem analysis, critical thinking, and cognitive development
• contributes to career development
• leads to stronger student-faculty relationships

http://www.servicelearning.org/what-service-learning

“Global engagement” is the act of actively participating in a cross-cultural experience. It implies crossing physical, social, and ideological borders not merely to observe, but to meet community members, wrestle with the complexities of another society, and ultimately forge international partnerships.

“Cultural immersion” involves experiencing every aspect of another culture with the goal of becoming integrated into the cultural fabric. Students live in homestays, work with partner NGOs, and adapt to the host lifestyle.

As a Northwestern University-affiliated program, GESI charges tuition for two course credits. To put this into perspective, the cost of two classes during the school year is approximately $6126. Therefore, 83% of the $7400 fee goes toward course tuition.

The remaining amount goes toward fees associated with the on-the-ground experience, including homestays and in-country educational programming. This cost is essential to:

• ensure the credibility of NGO partners.
• organize valuable in-country educational workshops and field trips.
• provide 24/7 emergency on-the-ground assistance.
• vet homestay families to guarantee safety and security.

Many parents struggle to cope with their child after they return from a transformative study abroad experience such as GESI. World Learning publishes a helpful Parent Re-Entry Handbook, available at http://www.sit.edu/SSA_Other_documents/parent_reentry_handbook.pdf.

The GESI website also includes a multitude of fellowship, career, and internship opportunities (LINK) that can assist your child in taking the next step after their experience abroad.

Additionally, GESI staff (gesi@northwestern.edu) are always available to help!