Rwanda Study Abroad 2025
Quick Links
Program Contacts
- Valerie Thomas
ISyE, Anderson-Interface Chair of Natural Systems and Professor - Tony Giarrusso
CRP, Senior Research Scientist and Associate Director, Center for Spatial Planning Analytics and Visualization - Chris Ippolito
School of Modern Languages
Program Link
Description
The Rwanda Study Abroad: Sustainable Development program engages students in a semester-long sustainable development learning experience. Students will begin working on sustainable development projects at the beginning of the semester and will travel to Rwanda during spring break to meet with Rwandan students, entrepreneurs, and government officials to learn about development challenges first hand and to develop context for their project learning. After the visit, students will continue their projects and complete them by the end of the semester.
In addition to project work, students will visit national universities, private companies, renewable energy sites, and a national park while in Rwanda to learn about challenges in energy development, agriculture, and wildlife conservation. They will also study the history, culture, and conservation efforts under way during visits to museums, memorials, and discussions with Rwandan students, faculty, business professionals, and government officials.
2023 Rwanda Study Abroad Participants
Dates: March 15 – March 22, 2025
Location: Kigali and Musanze, Rwanda.
Accommodations: Students will stay in double-occupancy hotel rooms during the international component of the program.
Courses
Each of these courses has a Rwanda Study Abroad Section:
- ISYE 6701 – Energy Technology and Policy
- ISYE 4501 – Energy, Efficiency and Sustainability
- CP 4510 – Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
- FREN 4103 Francophone Africa (Modern Languages)
- FREN 6103 Francophone Africa (Modern Languages)
- FREN 4699 Undergraduate Research
- VIP Africa Serve Learn Sustain
Note: This is an embedded course program. An Embedded Program is an Atlanta-based course that includes a travel component. The majority of the class takes place in Atlanta. Students must register for the Study Abroad section of one of the courses for the spring semester.
Prerequisites: ISYE 6701 and FREN 6103 are graduate courses. ISYE 4501, CP 4510, FREN 4103, FREN 4699 and VIP Africa SLS are undergraduate courses.
Cost
- The deposit is $500, which goes toward the program fee.
- The program fee is approximately $3,250. Fee include: round trip airfare, hotel (double occupancy), all meals, visa, cultural and business site visits, and in-country transportation. Out of pocket costs include transportation to and from the Atlanta airport, transit costs, and spending money while in Rwanda. Former participants spent anywhere from 50$ – 250$ dollars while in Rwanda, primarily on souvenirs.
- 3 hours tuition at Georgia Tech, and other Tech fees.
Requirements
- a grade of B or above in the study abroad class before plane tickets will be purchased
- a valid passport (U.S. passport cards are not valid)
Meetings
Informational meeting will be held in early January. Check out the 2023 Study Abroad StoryMap created by the six study abroad participants.
Please contact one of the program directors to learn more.