Global Mental Health - GEI Study Abroad in Rwanda

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

Global Practicum Program
Disciplinary Track: Global Mental Health
Study 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

This 4-week, 4-credit Global Practicum offers students a unique opportunity to contribute meaningfully to local mental health initiatives in Rwanda. Building on previous academic or field experience, students are placed in interdisciplinary teams within Rwandan organizations addressing clinical, community, or policy-based mental health challenges.

Students support psychoeducation, trauma recovery, youth programs, or community mental health outreach - applying their knowledge while navigating ethical and cultural complexities. The practicum is enriched by weekly reflective colloquia, mentorship, and cultural immersion. Students document their professional and intercultural development in a final digital portfolio.

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The Global Mental Health Practicum is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning four weeks in Rwanda or South Africa. Students immerse themselves in practical mental health work through group placements with a host organization.

Through hands-on placements, students work alongside local psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and mental health advocates to address real-world mental health challenges. The practicum integrates clinical, community, and policy-based work, allowing students to engage in mental health interventions, program development, trauma-informed care, or research on mental health policies.

Each week, students participate in class colloquia, reflective discussions, and cultural activities, ensuring a deeper understanding of mental health care in different socio-economic and cultural contexts.

This 4-week interdisciplinary practicum immerses students in hands-on mental health engagement through structured group placements in Rwanda or South Africa. Building on prior coursework and field experiences, students work alongside local psychologists, counselors, community leaders, and mental health advocates to contribute to locally driven mental health initiatives.

Placements may include community-based mental health programs, youth outreach, trauma-informed care, or mental health policy work. Emphasis is placed on ethical collaboration, cross-cultural sensitivity, and the application of global mental health frameworks in real-world settings. Weekly colloquia and mentorship sessions foster critical reflection and peer learning, while a final presentation allows students to share their insights and outcomes from the practicum experience.

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 engaged participation in a global practicum, a weekly reflective journal/blog/vlog, and a project report (MED333), 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.

Engaged field placements with Rwandan partners

Students contribute to organizations working across the mental health spectrum - from trauma counseling and community resilience programs to youth outreach and mental health policy. These placements provide a meaningful platform for practical skill development and cross-cultural collaboration.

Mentorship and reflective learning

Structured mentorship and weekly colloquia offer a space to unpack fieldwork experiences, examine ethical considerations, and explore cultural dynamics. These sessions help students critically connect practice with theory.

Cultural immersion in Kigali

Living and working in Kigali allows students to experience Rwandan life firsthand - through daily routines, language, local markets, and neighborhood events. Cultural understanding becomes central to their professional practice.

Weekend discovery and contextual insight

Optional excursions may include trips to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, community reconciliation initiatives, or natural landmarks such as Lake Kivu. These experiences provide broader social and historical context to mental health care in Rwanda.

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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.

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

Summer 2026: April 1

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.

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.

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GLOBAL MENTAL HEALTH (RWANDA)

Global Practicum

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)

Global Practicum

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

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