Global Mental Health - GEI Study Abroad in Rwanda

A 4-credit Global Field Engagement Program in Rwanda

Global Field Engagement Program
Disciplinary Track: Global Mental Health
Study Abroad Destination: Rwanda
2026 Dates: June 6-26 (3 weeks)
Credit: 4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
Eligibility: Any field and level of study

This 3-week, 4-credit Global Field Engagement course integrates pre-program eLearning with immersive, in-country learning in Rwanda. Students critically examine social determinants, cultural practices, and institutional structures that shape mental health through a combination of clinical observations, community-based initiatives, and stakeholder dialogue.

Participants conduct site visits to hospitals, NGOs, and public health agencies, engage with local practitioners through guest lectures and peer dialogue, and complete a collaborative, community-engaged project focused on a local mental health issue. Weekly mentorship and colloquia foster reflection, cultural humility, and ethical awareness. A culminating digital portfolio captures learning progress and field-based insights.

Write your awesome label here.

The Global Field Engagement Course in Mental Health is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning three weeks, plus pre-program eLearning. Students explore global mental health systems, policies, and interventions through a structured sequence of theoretical learning, field engagement, and community-based research.

Students collaborate with local mental health professionals, NGOs, and policymakers to gain hands-on exposure to clinical and community mental health initiatives. Activities include clinical observations, mental health case discussions, and site visits to community health programs, psychiatric facilities, and mental health advocacy organizations.

This interdisciplinary and experiential approach ensures that students develop cultural competence, clinical awareness, and strategic problem-solving skills while contributing to mental health initiatives with real-world impact.

This 3-week interdisciplinary course takes students into diverse mental health field settings across Rwanda or South Africa. Building on foundational content, students engage in experiential learning through site visits, guest lectures, and collaborative sessions with local mental health professionals. Fieldwork centers on exploring public mental health systems, cultural perspectives, and social determinants of mental health, with a strong emphasis on ethical engagement and reflective practice.

Students participate in facilitated dialogues with practitioners and peers, examine real-world case studies, and contribute to a collaborative community-based group project. The course culminates in a project presentation, allowing students to synthesize and share insights gained from their field experiences in culturally rich and resource-diverse environments. Each week includes structured colloquia, community visits, and cultural programming to support deep integration of academic and experiential learning.

As capstone project, students create a digital portfolio that serves as a comprehensive record of the students’ achievements and learning throughout the program. Students gather artifacts from their coursework and field experiences to showcase their development and mastery of skills. The portfolio culminates in a reflective essay and a presentation, promoting self-assessment and continuous learning.

There are no specific prerequisites or requirements. Students can be enrolled in any major or minor and can be at any level of university study. While we try to always place students in cohorts with similar levels of study, please understand that this may not always be possible.

Our programs are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The pace especially for the onsite experiences is generally accelerated and the workload is demanding. The U.S. grading scale of A to F is used. Students will receive a variety of assignments. They include six module-based small group assignments, engaged participation in a community-engaged learning project, a weekly reflective journal/blog/vlog, and a project report (MED332), and a digital portfolio culminating in a reflective essay and a presentation.

4 U.S. credit hours (~ 8 ETCS credits) for eligible undergraduate students via our U.S. academic school of record. After successful completion of the program, you will receive a comprehensive GEI transcript. Please check with your academic advisor at your home institution to confirm how many credits can be accepted for your degree program.

The language of instruction is English.

One of today’s greatest development success stories, Rwanda is Africa’s prime study abroad jewel. The country underwent a breathtaking transformation since the 1994 genocide. A model for poverty reduction and economic growth, it accounts for the highest percentage of women in parliament anywhere in the world. And the streets of its modern green capital Kigali are clean, safe, and free of corruption.

Real-world mental health field engagement

Students visit psychiatric clinics, NGO-run support programs, youth initiatives, and public health facilities. These immersive field trips offer firsthand insight into Rwanda’s mental health delivery systems and their intersection with broader social determinants.

Collaborative learning & ethical reflection

Guided by on-site mentors, students gather weekly in colloquia to explore ethical dilemmas, cross-cultural dynamics, and systems-based perspectives. Peer dialogue and facilitator-led discussion deepen analysis of field observations.

Cultural immersion beyond the clinic

Living in Kigali, students connect with local life through community meals, exchanges in Kinyarwanda, visits to markets, and cultural celebrations - building cultural humility alongside professional insight.

Weekend discovery & social context

Optional weekend excursions include visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Imigongo art workshops, rural healing landscapes, or conservation sites like Nyungwe Forest. These trips offer broader context for understanding trauma, community resilience, and cultural identity.

Write your awesome label here.

The program includes 3 weeks in Rwanda. For this time, GEI Rwanda offers different housing options that students can choose from, pending availability. These include:

Homestays: Typically single rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
Serviced apartments: Single or shared double rooms, with shared bathroom, and access to a kitchen and living room
University residence halls at our local partner universities: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities
Simple guesthouses: Shared double rooms, with shared bathroom and no kitchen facilities

Homestay host families typically provide breakfast and dinner. Students in serviced apartments, university residence halls, or guesthouses are usually responsible for all meals outside of core course meals.

You can find additional information in the following blog post: Accommodation – What to expect.

Summer 2026 (3 weeks): June 6-26

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $3,650 (3 weeks)

At GEI, we strongly believe in equal access to academic opportunities in study abroad. In order to help eliminate financial barriers, we offer a variety of merit scholarships, trailblazer scholarships, and opportunity scholarships and grants, ranging from $500 to full tuition awards. Each year, GEI is awarding several hundred thousand dollars in scholarships. You can find further information as well as additional resources for external funding opportunities in the following blog post: Scholarships & Grants.

Included in your program fees

Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure advising
Optional onsite airport meet & greet
Orientation
Full-time local coordination and 24/7 onsite emergency support
Course-related activities and excursions, including transportation, selected meals, and guiding
Optional events and cultural activities
Health insurance

Not included in your program fees

Transportation to/from the program location airport (including international airfare and taxes)
Visas
Immunizations
Meals other than those included during the courses
General items and services of a personal nature
Medical expenses not covered by the health insurance provided
Other discretionary expenses

RWANDA

STAFF

All of our staff are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Contact us for more information >

Before you go...

Please add me to your mailing list and share news about your programs and work in Africa and Asia.

Thank you!

Write your awesome label here.

Signed up yet?

Please add me to your mailing list and share news about your programs and work in Africa and Asia.

Thank you!

Write your awesome label here.

GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH (RWANDA)

AT A GLANCE

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ACADEMICS

YOUR DESTINATION: RWANDA

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

HOUSING & MEALS

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Included in your program fees

Not included in your program fees

STAFF

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH (RWANDA)

AT A GLANCE

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ACADEMICS

YOUR DESTINATION: RWANDA

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

HOUSING & MEALS

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Included in your program fees

Not included in your program fees

STAFF

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

We help you develop your competencies as a global change leader!

Before you go...

Signed up yet?