Rwanda

VISION

LOCATIONS

Rwanda represents an ideal location for development experts to engage. Because it is a poor country but one of the safest and most stable parts of the African continent, it represents an attractive place to test development impact. The last two decades have shown remarkable progress in Rwanda, and many of the most promising efforts are already being replicated in other developing countries. There is perhaps no more accessible and hopeful location to study the effects of a variety of development initiatives all in one place.

CURRICULUM

This seminar in developing enterprises will:

• Introduce students to the people, organizations and pressing issues of one of the most hopeful and promising countries on the development frontier: Rwanda
• Immerse students in the concepts and movement categorized by the term ‘social enterprise’, to include non-profit, business and hybrid models for social change or impact
• Allow students the chance to engage and compare over a dozen different contexts and organizations for possible vocation and service in an accessible, safe and relatively small African country 
• Develop a solid grasp of what the emerging field of social entrepreneurship is all about, and illustrate the power of entrepreneurial thinking in across all segments of development
• Critically consider, and learn how to reasonably respond to, real-world challenges in context
• Foster the empathy and the capacity to listen in a way that is required in order to take in, evaluate and articulately engage in individual and group discussions and projects
• Sensitively navigate the emotional, moral and social concerns involved when working in emerging markets and with marginalized people

Course Registration
The GEO will notify seminar participants when they are able to register. The course associated with the seminar is ISE291

Credits
In order to receive the full four credits for this seminar, students must:

• Meet twice for on-campus portion of the program, pre-departure
• Meet primarily in morning seminars during a three-week period in Rwanda
• Complete seminar assignments listed in the syllabus

COST

Total program cost including non-refundable deposit is approximately $5,000. This covers:

• Tuition for 4 credits
• Program costs including:
  • Room
  • Board
  • Entrance fees
  • Course reader
  • In-country transportation
  • International medical & emergency insurance
• Roundtrip airfare 

A $30 non-refundable application fee must accompany the application. The remainder will be billed to student accounts. Full details available from Student Financial Services.

Students are responsible for obtaining their passports well in advance of the seminar. Passport numbers required for travel reservations in mid-February.

Students are also responsible for securing any needed immunizations. Go to the CDC website for Rwanda.

APPLICATION 

Please note, applications will be considered for acceptance in the order received. Applicants should:

• Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Complete online application
• Submit a Student Affairs Reference (if applying as a Freshman or rising Sophomore)
• Submit a non-refundable $30 application fee
• Submit a $450 program deposit within 10 days of acceptance

Non-Gordon students interested in applying to ISE291:

• Must make the statement of Christian faith expected of students at Gordon College
• Agree to abide by the College’s behavioral standards in the Life and Conduct Statement
• Provide a letter of recommendation from a faculty reference
• Provide a letter of recommendation from a student affairs reference

Applications will not be considered complete until all materials have been received. Send application fee and all printed forms to:

Gordon College
Global Education Office
255 Grapevine Road
Wenham, MA 01984 

CONTACT

For further information contact:
The Global Education Office
P 978 867 4399
E geo@gordon.edu