Want to intern, volunteer, or study abroad this summer? How about all three? Participate in the Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) Summer 2014 for an experience unlike any other. GESI combines a study abroad experience in one of six developing countries with hands-on partnerships with locally communities and organizations. Work and live in Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, India, Nicaragua, South Africa, or Uganda. Teams collaborate with the community on life-saving and life changing projects that truly make a difference. From microfinance ventures to health education, social entrepreneurship to increasing the environmental sustainability of a community, GESI projects have a wide range of impact.
GESI 2014 at a glance:
- GESI Fall 2014 will operate in the Dominican Republic, India, and Uganda
- Live with a host family and work in another culture for ten weeks
- Earn four Northwestern credits (variable credit option available)
- Work in teams to design and implement a development project in environmental sustainability, microfinance, education, social enterprise, global health, women’s rights, and more
- Apply through Northwestern’s Study Abroad Application here; application open through March 1, 2014
Building on our history of connecting students with meaningful, sustainable, and relationship-oriented partnerships abroad, the GESI Fall program affords students an extended opportunity to delve deeper into the same experiences – continued comprehensive preparation and education, immersion and experiential learning through group work, impact-driven partnerships for participatory, asset-based development, and student-centered, multi-tiered support. With an additional two weeks in-country, GESI Fall will help students connect with communities further in pursuit of sustainable, small-scale development.
You are eligible for GESI if:
- You are a current undergraduate or recent graduate
- Your cumulative GPA is 2.0 to 2.5 or higher (exceptions made for students who provide written plan for raising their GPA)
- For applicants to the Dominican Republic you have taken at least one year of college-level Spanish language courses, or the equivalent during high school. There is no language requirement for the other sites.
- You are open-minded, flexible, and humble
If you have any questions about your eligibility, or anything else, please contact us gesi@northwestern.edu or 847.491.5932.