SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL HEALTH (RWANDA)

GLOBAL PRACTICUM

A 4-credit global practicum to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

AT A GLANCE

  • Global Practicum Program
  • Disciplinary Track: Global Health
  • Intern Abroad Destination: Rwanda
  • 2026 Dates: June 27-July 24 (4 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

Implement public health solutions in Rwanda
This 4-week, 4-credit Global Practicum positions students at the forefront of Rwanda’s health innovation ecosystem. Working in interdisciplinary teams, students partner with Rwandan clinics, NGOs, or public health agencies to co-design and carry out a public health project - such as infectious disease prevention, maternal-child health outreach, or community health education.

Mentorship from local health professionals and weekly reflective colloquia support ethical engagement, systems thinking, and intercultural practice. Students synthesize their skills and insights in a polished digital portfolio, demonstrating practical impact and personal growth.
Program Highlights
  • Hands-on public health project with a Rwandan host organization
  • Interdisciplinary teamwork addressing real health needs
  • Weekly mentorship and reflective cohort sessions
  • A curated digital portfolio showcasing applied competencies
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ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Practicum in Global Health is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning four weeks in a host country in Africa or Asia. Students immerse themselves in hands-on public health work, collaborating with local healthcare providers, NGOs, and community health organizations to address pressing health challenges in resource-limited settings.

The program follows a structured, experiential learning model, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts. Working alongside medical professionals and public health experts, students contribute to health initiatives focused on infectious diseases, maternal and child health, mental health, and health systems strengthening.

Each week includes a combination of clinical or field-based health work, data collection, and project design, complemented by weekly class colloquia, reflection sessions, and cultural engagement activities to deepen learning and cross-cultural understanding.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
  • Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to implement public health initiatives
  • Apply global health frameworks and field methods in Rwandan contexts
  • Engage ethically and interculturally with Rwandan health professionals and communities
  • Reflect critically on systems, culture, and personal growth in public health practice
  • Present a comprehensive digital portfolio that documents project outcomes and professional development
Further Details
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YOUR DESTINATION: RWANDA

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.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Practical community health engagement
Students work alongside Rwandan health providers in clinics, rural health outposts, or community health programs, gaining firsthand experience in program delivery and health education efforts.

Co-creation with local partners
Working in collaboration with local teams, students assist in designing and executing health interventions based on community needs - building sustainable solutions and mutual learning.

Guided reflection & supportive learning community
Weekly cohort colloquia, led by GEI facilitators and local mentors, guide ethical reflection, team building, and
professional growth - grounding experiences in broader public health frameworks.

Rwandan cultural immersion
Living in Kigali and beyond, students engage with local life - sharing Kinyarwanda phrases, street food like brochettes and sambaza, market visits, and community events that enrich their understanding of health within a cultural context.

Weekend discoveries & contextual depth
Optional excursions to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, local health outreach initiatives, Lake Kivu, or conservation areas provide experiential insight into Rwanda’s resilience and social history.

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HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4 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.

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Program Dates

Application Due Date

Fees

Summer 2026 (4 weeks): June 27-July 24

April 1, 2026

Summer 2026: US $3,950 (4 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.

RWANDA

STAFF

All of our staff are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.
Yvan Rubengebenge
Center Director
Francoise Uzamukunda, MA
Academic Coordinator
Denyse Iradukunda, BA
Program & Student Services Coordinator
Rachel Irakoze, BA
Program & Student Services Coordinator
Janvier Muhire, MSc
Student Life Coordinator
Kelly Uwase
Student Life Coordinator

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