SUMMER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (SOUTH AFRICA)


A 4-credit Global Field Engagement Program in South Africa

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Field Engagement Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Engineering
  • Study Abroad Destination: South Africa
  • 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

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Explore Real-World Engineering Challenges in South Africa
Embark on a transformative journey and complete a Global Field Engagement Course in Engineering. This program offers a deep dive into human-centered engineering solutions, focusing on how technology and innovation can address pressing global challenges in healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Situated in South Africa, a country known for its commitment to innovation and sustainable development, the program blends theoretical learning with hands-on application. Students engage with local engineers, industry professionals, and researchers, gaining valuable insights and practical experience in designing engineering solutions that create real impact.
Program Highlights
  • Interdisciplinary learning: Explore how engineering, sustainability, and technology intersect through an integrated curriculum focused on real-world problem-solving.
  • Field-based insights: Engage with local engineers, researchers, and industry professionals, participating in technical site visits, case studies, and design challenges.
  • Community impact: Work on engineering solutions that address local challenges in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure, applying your skills to positively impact communities.
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Field Engagement Course in Engineering is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning three weeks, plus pre-program eLearning. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, applying engineering principles to global challenges in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and sustainability.

The program follows a structured sequence, progressing from theoretical foundations to hands-on field-based learning. Students engage in technical site visits, engineering case studies, and collaborative design challenges, working alongside local engineers, researchers, and industry professionals.

This interdisciplinary, practical approach ensures that students not only gain technical expertise but also develop problem-solving and cross-cultural collaboration skills essential for addressing real-world engineering challenges.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of global engineering challenges: Gain insight into the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and innovation, exploring how technical solutions address real-world issues in healthcare, energy, infrastructure, and water management.
  • Practical skills in engineering problem-solving and design thinking: Develop hands-on experience through field-based learning, technical site visits, and design challenges, applying human-centered engineering principles to global challenges.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply engineering theories, analytical skills, and interdisciplinary approaches to engineering projects, demonstrating the ability to evaluate problems, propose solutions, and adapt technical expertise to diverse contexts.
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa has emerged from its troubled and turbulent past into a healthy democratic country and the economic powerhouse of the African continent. At the same time, it’s a great place to witness a society going through dynamic changes, as it can still be considered both a developed and an underdeveloped country. South Africans forge a new identity, strongly embracing their unique multicultural character.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

South Africa is a land of striking contrasts, where vibrant city life meets vast wilderness and deep cultural history.

As part of the program, you will experience the country’s diverse communities, history, and landscapes. In Cape Town, visit Robben Island, explore the colorful streets of Bo-Kaap, and hike up Table Mountain. In Johannesburg, walk through the historic neighborhoods of Soweto and learn about South Africa’s journey at the Apartheid Museum.

Beyond the cities, South Africa offers world-class adventure and nature.
Take a scenic drive along Chapman’s Peak, explore the famous Cape Winelands, or go whale watching in Hermanus. Spend weekends on safari in Kruger National Park, spotting lions, elephants, and rhinos, or relax along the stunning Garden Route with its beaches, forests, and dramatic coastline.

South Africa’s food scene is as diverse as its culture. Try a traditional braai (South African barbecue) with boerewors sausages, or sample Cape Malay flavors with bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping). Music and dance are also integral to South African life, from gumboot dancing in the townships to jazz clubs in Johannesburg.
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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 3 weeks in South Africa. For this time, GEI South Africa 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.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

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.

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Waleed Fatth, MPH
Program Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Director, East Africa
Thuy Phan, MA
Academic Director, Vietnam
Chone Chaowai, MIDP
Academic Director, Thailand
Kari Cousins, MA/MSc
Academic Director, Southern Africa
Yvan Rubengebenge
Operations Manager, Rwanda
Eric Kingoina, DCS
Operations Manager, Kenya
Dang Huynh, BA
Operations, Vietnam
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Operations, Rwanda
Sammy Davies Mochama, BSc
Operations, Kenya
Mabwe Gwamure, BSc
Operations, South Africa

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