SUMMER INTERN ABROAD PROGRAM

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (SOUTH AFRICA)

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 Engineering
  • Study Abroad Destination: South Africa
  • 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

Apply by clicking the button at the top >
Contact us for more information >

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Apply Engineering Solutions in Real-World Settings
Embark on a transformative journey and complete a Global Practicum in Engineering. This program provides an opportunity to apply technical expertise to real-world challenges through group placements with a host organization in South Africa.

Students work alongside local engineers, entrepreneurs, and community partners to address critical engineering issues in healthcare, infrastructure, water management, and sustainability. The program integrates fieldwork, problem-solving, and hands-on design, allowing students to develop innovative solutions with lasting community impact.
Program Highlights
  • Hands-on experience in engineering for global development: Apply technical expertise to real-world challenges through group placements with local organizations tackling healthcare, energy, and infrastructure issues.
  • Cross-cultural collaboration: Work alongside local engineers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, gaining a deeper understanding of engineering challenges in diverse global contexts.
  • Strategic problem-solving: Develop and implement engineering solutions using human-centered design principles, ensuring sustainable and impactful outcomes for communities.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

ACADEMICS

Program Structure
The Global Engineering Practicum is an intensive, 4-credit program spanning four weeks in a host country in Africa or Asia. Students immerse themselves in practical engineering work, collaborating with local engineers, entrepreneurs, and community partners to tackle pressing infrastructure, energy, and healthcare challenges.

Through group placements with host organizations, students apply technical knowledge to real-world problems, using human-centered design principles to develop sustainable, impact-driven engineering solutions.

The program follows a structured experiential learning model, combining fieldwork, technical problem-solving, and design implementation. Each week, students participate in class colloquia, reflection sessions, and cultural engagement activities, fostering a deeper understanding of engineering’s role in global development.
Learning Outcomes
  • Comprehensive understanding of global engineering challenges: Gain a nuanced understanding of how engineering principles can address real-world issues in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, water management, and sustainability within diverse global contexts.
  • Practical skills in engineering design and problem-solving: Develop hands-on experience by working on field-based engineering projects, collaborating with local professionals, and applying human-centered design principles to create impactful solutions.
  • Strategic application of knowledge: Apply technical expertise and interdisciplinary approaches to real-world projects, demonstrating the ability to analyze challenges, prototype solutions, and implement sustainable engineering practices in collaboration with local partners.
Further Details
Empty space, drag to resize

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.
Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

HOUSING & MEALS

The program includes 4 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 (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.

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

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Get started!
Contact us for more information >