A pioneer in transformative international education in Africa and Asia since 2006

GEI is a private institute that provides international students and professionals with transformative education and engagement programs in Africa and Asia. The programs reflect our mission to inspire and empower individuals and institutions to apply their passion and skills to create positive change in the world.

Our Certificates in Global Engagement - with their core study abroad and internship abroad programs - seek to complement existing higher education and professional development with a crucial interdisciplinary approach to global engagement. We help learners to develop and apply key competencies for global change leaders.

Our story

2006 - The beginning
GEI is founded by Dr. Michael Grosspietsch as an educational travel provider in Kigali/Rwanda to serve the growing demand for
U.S.-led transformative professional development and exchange programs in Africa.
2009 - First university programs
Universities are increasingly interested in non-traditional destinations in Africa and GEI launches a variety of faculty-led and custom programs for university clients at its growing number of destinations, now encompassing the entire East Africa region with a second regional office in Nairobi/Kenya.
2011 - Going global
GEI becomes a truly global company, now incorporated in the U.S. with headquarters in New York and later Berlin/Germany.
2013 - Regional expansion
New regional offices are added in Cape Town/South Africa (2013) and Ho Chi Minh City/Vietnam (2015). GEI can now serve 20+ destinations in the East Africa, Southern Africa, and Southeast Asia regions.

2018 - First study abroad and internship abroad programs

GEI launches U.S.-accredited programs in women & leadership, global health, social innovation, and mental health. The College of New Jersey serves as main school of record.

2020 - Launch of mHub
The Covid-19 pandemic has devastating effects. Contrary to many others in the industry, GEI decides to become innovative and invest. Building on the expertise of years of mental health programming and supported by experienced international partners, GEI creates mHub - The Mental Health Hub as a social purpose business in Kigali. With a license from the Ministry of Health, mHub opens Rwanda's first private mental health clinic and launches clinical and non-clinical mental health and wellbeing programs that quickly impact the lives of more than a thousand people every month.
2022 - Launch of sustainability program series
Post-Covid, GEI launches a new program series that fully reflects its mission and passion: Under the title "Change Leadership for Sustainable Development", students now have the choice between an accredited 3-week field course, a 1-week immersion program, or a 4-week internship. The curriculum is powered by GEI's new eLearning platform, available to all students studying with GEI.
2024 - Launch of Certificates in Global Engagement
The Certificates in Global Engagement are the culmination point of GEI's now 18-year long quest to develop the most inspiring and empowering programs for global change leaders. They combine all of our previous programs in seamless certificates for all groups of learners, from high school to university to professionals.
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The GEI difference 

Quality & passion

A team of highly qualified, experienced, and passionate education abroad specialists.

Social innovation

A social purpose business approach to education abroad and sustainable development.

Transformation

An approach to learning that focuses on transformation and the 8 core competencies of global change leaders.

Reciprocity

A commitment to giving back and support the sustainable development of our host destinations.
our people

Meet our core team

Dr. Michael Grosspietsch, PhD
CEO & Founder

Melissa Lesage, LLB
Director, Business Management
Jonathan George, MEd
Director, Program Management
Elizabeth Scutchfield, MEd
Director, Strategic Global Partnerships
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Director, Professional Development
Yvan Rubengebenge
Regional Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Regional Director, Southeast Asia
Kari Cousins, MSc/MA
Regional Director, Southern Africa
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Southeast Asia
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations Manager, Southern Africa
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations Manager, Southeast Asia
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda

Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc

Operations, Kenya


Vinay Sapra, DM

Operations, Tanzania


Juliana Katende, BSc

Operations, Uganda


Ray Lyabunya, BIS

Operations, Malawi


Yong Min Ho, BSS

Operations, Singapore


Angela Nawaporn

Operations, Thailand


Kitipoom Promposa (Goal)

Operations, Thailand


Phin Sihourch (Chary)

Operations, Cambodia


Khomotso Radebe, MPA

Training Programs, South Africa


Cailin Human, MBA

mHub CEO


Rachel Irakoze, BA
mHub Client Relationship Manager

Janvier Muhire, MSc
mHub Clinical Psychologist

Espoir Baraka, BA
mHub Wellbeing Training Facilitator

Kelly Uwase
mHub Client Relationship Intern