Global Mental Health - 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 Mental Health
Study Abroad Destination: South Africa
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 intensive 8-week, 8-credit microcertificate blends interdisciplinary coursework with immersive field engagement in South Africa. Students explore mental health systems, policy, and practice through clinical observation, community initiatives, and research-driven projects in collaboration with local professionals and organizations across both urban and rural contexts.

The program equips participants to address mental health challenges in resource-limited settings by combining theoretical study with hands-on experience. Weekly colloquia and mentorship foster reflective practice and cultural competency.

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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 the end of the program, students will be able to:

Analyze mental health systems, challenges, and responses in resource-diverse, cross-cultural contexts
Engage ethically and collaboratively with local mental health professionals, communities, and organizations
Apply global mental health frameworks and culturally responsive strategies to real-world fieldwork
Reflect critically on positionality, power, and the social determinants of mental health
Demonstrate growth through a professional digital portfolio integrating academic, practical, and intercultural 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 six module-based small group assignments, engaged participation in a community-engaged learning project, a weekly reflective journal/blog/vlog, and a project report (MED331), 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.

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.

Collaborative engagement with mental health leaders

Students work alongside South African psychologists, counselors, and community advocates, gaining hands-on exposure to local mental health systems. Engagements may include site visits to clinics, trauma centers, youth organizations, and mental health NGOs, offering insight into culturally responsive care and innovation in low-resource settings.

Structured field learning & reflective practice

Each week balances field engagement with structured colloquia and reflection. These sessions offer a space to process experiences, discuss ethical dilemmas, and deepen understanding of local and global mental health frameworks. On-site facilitators and guest professionals guide conversations and foster peer learning.

Immersive cultural experiences

Cultural immersion is woven into the everyday - whether through shared meals, music, language, or exploring diverse neighborhoods in Cape Town or Johannesburg. Students gain a deeper appreciation of the intersections between culture, identity, and mental health through guided visits and informal experiences.

Weekend exploration & contextual learning

Optional weekend excursions may include visits to Robben Island, community healing initiatives, local art collectives, or natural landmarks like Table Mountain. These activities help students contextualize the historical and socio-political backdrop of mental health care in South Africa while creating space for personal growth and connection.

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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 MENTAL HEALTH (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 MENTAL HEALTH (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!

Before you go...

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