Study in Benin

Program Description

During this two week study abroad program in the West African country of Benin, students live and work at the Songhai Centre, a 40 acre campus for agricultural development and training, recognized as a UN Center of Excellence in promoting sustainable development.  The Songhai Center hosts us in one of their agri-tourism hostels, provides us abundant fresh food, much of it from its own fields, and supports many of our service projects.  We use Songhai drivers and interpreters during our busy in-country itinerary, which takes us to project sites, cultural sites, markets, and entertainment.  We also work with another African NGO, Centre Africa Obato, on a community based palm oil project.  The Benin program and its students continue to be invited by our African partners into new service work.  

Students and faculty in the Benin Program have come from many schools and academic disciplines to take part in or develop their own research or service projects as part of their coursework and experience.  The program offers an innovative learning community in which students take a variety of courses, share their knowledge, and work on personalized projects.  Over the years, the program has developed rich cultural resources for study of a wide range of topics from art, literature, history, and music to development studies, the environment, politics, community health and nursing.   For more project ideas, visit with program faculty, Dr. Susan Norwood, Dr. Torunn Haaland, or Dr. Mark Alfino.

Program Highlights

• Open to all students regardless of major
• Complete foundation content online early in the summer &
• Travel to Benin the first two-weeks in August

About the Courses

ENVS 370/NURS 499: The Environment and Health. This course considers the impact of selected environmental factors on health. Students will conduct an environmental assessment of the Songhai Center in Benin and will compare how environmental conditions affect the occurrence of selected health conditions in Benin and the US.

PHIL 301: Ethics and Development Issues, introduces students to major ethical theories and focuses applied work on international ethics and development issues, particularly in Benin.  

PHIL 495: Philosophy of Culture: Benin, introduces students to the philosophical study of the cultures, history, literature, religion, and politics of Benin.  Students choose a focus within the course resources based on their particular interests.

Program Requirements

Gonzaga-in-Benin is open to all undergraduates who have completed at least freshman year and meet the admission requirements listed below:

• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Two letters of academic recommendation
• Student Life  clearance
• Meet any course prerequisites
• Committee selection

Program Cost

Estimated Program Cost: $3,300, plus airfare*
The program cost includes tuition for 3 credits.
* exact cost depends on enrollment

Deposit
Within two weeks of the date of acceptance, students are required to reserve their place on the program with a $500 deposit that is applied to the cost of the program.

Application Procedure

When to Apply
Application Deadline: February 8, 2013. 
Apply early!

• Early application is encouraged. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis up to the application deadline or until the program is filled.
• Operation of this program is subject to administrative approval and is dependent upon meeting the minimum enrollment.

Application

1. Application form (type directly into pdf and then print completed application)
2. $50 non-refundable payable via Study Abroad CASHNet
3. Two (2) academic recommendations
4. Student Life clearance online form
5. Return application to the Study Abroad office either in person (323 E Boone Ave) or by campus mail to AD Box 85.

Passport

Be sure that your passport is valid for six months after the end of the study abroad program.