Global Engineering - GEI Study Abroad in South Africa

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 Engineering
Study Abroad Destination: South Africa
Summer Dates: June 1-July 24, 2026 (8 weeks)
Credit: 8 U.S. credit hours (~ 16 ECTS credits) for eligible university students
Eligibility: Any field and level of study

The Global Engineering track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit summer program spanning eight weeks. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, applying engineering principles to real-world global challenges in a host country in Africa or Asia.

This program provides an interdisciplinary approach to engineering for social good, allowing students to tackle pressing issues in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and sustainability. Through field-based learning, hands-on design projects, and collaboration with local engineers, entrepreneurs, and organizations, students gain practical experience in human-centered engineering.

Situated in Rwanda, a country at the forefront of innovation and sustainable development, the program blends technical skill-building with cross-cultural collaboration, ensuring students develop both engineering expertise and global problem-solving capabilities.

Interdisciplinary learning: Explore how engineering, sustainability, and social impact intersect through an integrated curriculum focused on real-world problem-solving.
Field-based insights: Participate in design projects, industry site visits, and hands-on engineering challenges that showcase your host country’s leadership in innovation and infrastructure.
Community impact: Work on engineering solutions that address local challenges in healthcare, energy, and infrastructure, applying your knowledge to positively impact communities.

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The Global Engineering track of the Microcertificate in Global Engagement is an intensive, 8-credit summer program spanning eight weeks in a host country in Africa or Asia. Students embark on a transformative learning journey, applying engineering principles to real-world global challenges in healthcare, infrastructure, energy, and sustainability.

The program consists of two main courses and a capstone project, delivered in a structured sequence that progresses from theoretical learning to hands-on application. Students engage in field-based learning, technical design challenges, and collaboration with local engineers, innovators, and community organizations.

This practical, interdisciplinary approach ensures that students develop problem-solving skills, cross-cultural competencies, and technical expertise while working on real-world engineering solutions with lasting community impact.

This 3-week course takes students into diverse engineering environments across a host country in Africa or Asia, where theoretical concepts from pre-course eLearning modules are applied in real-world settings. Students engage with local engineers, researchers, and industry professionals to explore human-centered engineering solutions for pressing global challenges. Throughout the course, students develop technical problem-solving skills, interdisciplinary collaboration strategies, and cultural adaptability while working on engineering case studies and hands-on design challenges. The course culminates in a community-engaged project, where students analyze an engineering challenge and propose innovative solutions tailored to the local context.

This 4-week interdisciplinary practicum immerses students in practical engineering work through group placements with a host organization. The course integrates learning from all previous modules, challenging students to apply their technical expertise to address a specific engineering challenge in fields such as healthcare, energy, water management, or infrastructure. Students collaborate with local engineers, entrepreneurs, and community partners to design and implement impactful solutions, leveraging human-centered design principles and sustainable engineering practices. Each Friday, students reconvene for a class colloquium, reflection session, and cultural activities to enhance their understanding of global engineering challenges.

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.

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.

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 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 (ENG301), engaged participation in a global practicum, a weekly reflective journal/blog/vlog, and a project report (ENG302), 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.

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.

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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The program includes 8 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.

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

INSTRUCTORS & COORDINATORS

Meet our core team

All of our instructors and coordinators are highly experienced and resourceful professionals.

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GLOBAL ENGINEERING (SOUTH AFRICA)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

AT A GLANCE

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ACADEMICS

YOUR DESTINATION: SOUTH AFRICA

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

HOUSING & MEALS

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Included in your program fees

Not included in your program fees

Meet our core team

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

GLOBAL ENGINEERING (SOUTH AFRICA)

GEI MICROCERTIFICATE IN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT

AT A GLANCE

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

ACADEMICS

YOUR DESTINATION: SOUTH AFRICA

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

HOUSING & MEALS

DATES, FEES, AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Included in your program fees

Not included in your program fees

Meet our core team

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

We help you develop your competencies as a global change leader!

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