Global Mental Health - GEI Study Abroad in Rwanda

An 8-credit microcertificate program to develop skills, knowledge, and understanding that prepare you for leadership and engagement in our global society.

Microcertificate in Global Engagement Program
Disciplinary Track: Global Mental Health
Study Abroad Destination: Rwanda
2026 Dates: June 1-July 24 (8 weeks)
Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
Eligibility: Any field and level of study

This 8-week, 8-credit summer program offers an immersive blend of classroom learning and community-based mental health work in one of Africa’s most resilient and forward-looking countries. Students explore mental health systems in Rwanda through coursework, clinical observation, and hands-on placements with local NGOs, hospitals, and advocacy groups.

The program is ideal for students interested in psychology, public health, social work, or related fields. Through structured mentorship, weekly reflective colloquia, and rich cultural immersion, students gain critical competencies in ethical engagement, trauma-informed care, and global mental health systems thinking. A culminating digital portfolio showcases each student’s development and applied contributions.

Write your awesome label here.

The Global Mental Health track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit summer program spanning eight weeks in Rwanda and South Africa. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, exploring mental health systems, interventions, and policies in diverse global settings.

The program consists of two main courses and a capstone project, designed in a structured sequence that moves from theoretical learning to hands-on application. Students engage in clinical observations, community mental health initiatives, and research-driven projects, collaborating with mental health professionals, NGOs, and policymakers to address real-world mental health challenges.

This interdisciplinary and field-based approach ensures that students develop cultural competence, clinical awareness, and strategic problem-solving skills, while working on mental health initiatives that create meaningful community 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.

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.

By program's end, students will be able to:

Analyze Rwandan mental health systems, interventions, and socio-cultural determinants of mental health
Engage ethically and collaboratively with mental health professionals and community stakeholders
Apply global mental health frameworks in clinical, community-based, or policy environments
Reflect critically on positionality, power dynamics, and cultural context in mental health practice
Express their growth and learning through a professional digital portfolio

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), 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.

8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 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 as well as the GEI Microcertificate in Global Engagement. 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.

Hands-on mental health engagement across sectors

Students spend eight weeks engaging with Rwandan mental health professionals across multiple sectors - from clinical settings like hospitals and trauma centers to community-based organizations and mental health policy initiatives. They contribute to meaningful work while observing how culture and context shape mental health systems.

Collaborative learning through mentorship & reflection

Each week includes guided mentorship and reflective colloquia where students analyze fieldwork experiences, share insights, and explore the intersections between psychology, culture, and public health. These structured sessions are essential for deepening ethical awareness and intercultural skills.

Cultural immersion in daily life

Living and studying in Kigali, students experience Rwanda’s culture firsthand - whether enjoying brochettes and fresh fruit at local markets, learning phrases in Kinyarwanda, or visiting neighborhoods shaped by community resilience. Cultural understanding is woven into daily routines and professional practice.

Exploration of Rwanda’s history and landscapes

Optional weekend excursions may include visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, community healing initiatives, or scenic destinations like Lake Kivu or Volcanoes National Park. These experiences offer broader context for understanding trauma, recovery, and cultural identity in mental health care.

Write your awesome label here.

The program includes 8 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 (8 weeks): June 1-July 24

Summer 2026: April 1

Summer 2026: US $7,950 (8 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)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

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)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

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?