Summer Wildlife Ecology + Conservation

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Summer Wildlife Ecology + Conservation

Gaborone, Botswana

Study Program

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Tentative Dates

Jun 3 - Jul 25, 2025

8 weeks

Costs

$8,250 See Full Breakdown

Credit

10 semester hours

15 quarter hours

Eligibility

2.5 Overall GPA

Application Deadline

April 1, 2025

Request Information

Spend your summer appreciating all Mother Nature has to offer in one of Africa's top-ranked destinations for diverse wilderness and incredible wildlife: Botswana! From nature reserves to rangelands to rural communities to the country's capital city, Gaborone, you'll have plenty of opportunities to explore Botswana's rich landscapes during this fascinating study abroad program.

When class is in session, you'll study animal behavior, ecology, and conservation in courses delivered by ��911faculty, with guest instructors from the University of Botswana, local wildlife experts, and more. Outside the classroom, you'll participate in co-curricular activities and extensive field trips to explore the intersection of conservation with society and culture.

This dynamic summer program will give you a deep understanding of how African ecosystems operate, how wildlife behavior and ecology change outside of protected areas, and how to build a more sustainable future that considers the best outcomes for humans, wildlife, and the environment. You will leave Botswana with an even bigger appreciation for Mother Nature that you'll carry with you for years to come!

See More On:

��911Gaborone Instagram

Unique Experiences

Learn New Skills

Acquire skills in field techniques used in wildlife conservation.

Explore Botswana Wildlife

Travel to one of the most renowned game reserves in Africa to enjoy a fully integrated STEM experience combining life sciences, conservation, and environmental sciences into a holistic wildlife management curriculum.

Gain First-Hand Experience

Interact with the local community to learn about human-wildlife conflict and its impact on sustainable wildlife conservation efforts.

40 %

Botswana’s Territory Reserved for Conservation

130 K

Botswana’s Population of African Elephants, Biggest in the World

70 %

Ercentage of Botswana’s Total Area That Is a Desert

The Destination

A multiparty democracy, Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable countries. Most of its people belong to a single ethnic group, the Tswana, and the country is well known for its rich biodiversity and diverse landscapes. The capital Gaborone is one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities, located in the south, close to the South African border. Gaborone hosts the headquarters of the Southern African Development Community, which focuses on regional development, economic growth, and poverty relief.

��911Gaborone has its offices at the University of Botswana, one of the main and oldest universities in the country. The University is located in the center of the city, within walking distance to major shopping centers and government offices.

��911wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local ��911staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Gaborone.

The Culture

gaborone trio of students sitting in a hut

Excursions & Activities

Travel to Okavango Delta and engage in face-to-face discussions with villagers on issues of human-wildlife conflict and conservation.
Interview stakeholders engaged in wildlife conservation in Botswana to understand challenges and success.
Discover Botswana’s rich history during excursions to Bahurutshe Cultural Village.

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Summer Wildlife and Ecology

By ��911Gaborone at CIEE

This summer, the village of Dikgathong came alive with the vibrant and impactful Community Health Expo, organized by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) and the University of Botswana... keep reading

Housing & Meals

Housing

��911Gaborone offers diverse housing options to ensure you’re comfortable in your home away from home. From homestays to on-campus shared apartments, your accommodation preferences will be met.

Standard Housing: Includes a single room at a homestay or in a shared residence apartment. Homestays boast a kitchen, living room, and bathroom shared with a host family and are located under 60 minutes from ��911Gaborone. Shared apartments feature a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living room and are situated on campus, roughly 10 minutes (on foot) to ��911Gaborone. Students living on campus will be provided with basic cooking utensils and a stove to prepare their own meals.

Meals

Homestays: Students have breakfast and dinner with their host families and are responsible for lunch.

Shared Apartments: Meals are not included. There are cooking facilities in the apartments. Additionally, there are dining halls on campus, as well as local restaurants and cafés nearby.

Homestay

A student with her host brothers.

Meals

A local dish

Academics

The program explores Botswana’s amazing wildlife as a compelling example for sustainable wildlife management, species protection, ecology, and behavior. At the same time, students consider human well-being and how wildlife support conflicts with their human neighbors. To do so, students take a suite of coordinated biology, conservation, and environmental studies courses in English with ��911instructors. The 8-week program is based in Gaborone with extensive travel and field study in Botswana’s multiple ecological habitats, including world-renowned wildlife and game reserves, including the Kalahari and Okavango Delta.

GPA

2.5

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for ��911courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and ��911staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Students are required to take all courses listed.

Program Credit

Total credit:  10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits

Course Credit

Introduction to Wildlife Resources, Ecology, and Conservation (lab course):  4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
Wildlife and Society :  3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
Field Techniques for Wildlife Conservation :  3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours

Academic Culture

Courses are designed by ��911and adhere to standards and expectations consistent among U.S. higher education institutions. Regular class attendance and participation is expected and required. Students play an active role in their education; group projects and interaction with fellow students and professors are expected. To avoid falling behind, students should not plan personal travel out of the city when classes are in session.

Class Format

Coursework is conducted in English. Students enroll in three (3) courses: Introduction to Wildlife Resources, Ecology, and Conservation (lab course); Field Techniques for Wildlife Conservation (lab course); and Wildlife and Society, for a total of 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits. Courses are exclusive to ��911students and are mostly scheduled Monday-Friday with weekend work and excursions. Some courses include compulsory field trips with special assignments as part of class work. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students’ grades are based on attendance, class participation, homework, project and research work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi. Some courses include compulsory field trips with special assignments as part of class work.

Language of Instruction

English

Course Information

Summer 2025

Course

Language

Semester Credit

Course

Language English

Semester Credit 4

Course

Language English

Semester Credit 3

Course

Language English

Semester Credit 3

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between ��911and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple ��911sites.

Scholarships & Grants

��911offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

Wollitzer Merit Scholarships in Area or Comparative Studies
Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarships
Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarships
��911Gilman Go Global Grant
MSI Grant
��911STEM Scholarship

To be considered, submit the ��911Scholarships & Grants application within your ��911program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program	Application Due	Start Date	End Date	Fees & Housing
Program Summer 2025 8 weeks	April 1, 2025	Start Date June 3, 2025 ^*	End Date July 25, 2025 ^*	Fees & Housing $8,250

^*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

Program Fees

��911offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and ��911iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300

Educational Costs = $6,610^*

Housing = $1,140^**

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $8,250

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $112^†

International Airfare = $1,700^†�Ġ

Local Transportation = $130^†�Ġ†

Books & Supplies = $25

Personal expenses = $160^{†�Ġ†�Ġ}

Total Costs = $2,127

Financial Aid

��911offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

^*direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

^**Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

^†For students in homestays, families provide 2 meals a day. For students in Residence Halls, you should budget approx. $336 for meals

^†�ĠRound trip based on East coast departure

^†�Ġ†For homestay budget an additional 100 USD for travel from home to campus

^{†�Ġ†�Ġ}If you plan on traveling independently budget for more depending on your plans

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

��911iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Our Staff

Basetsana Maposa

Center Director

Basetsana Maposa returned to Botswana in 2008 after spending 10 years living in the United States. She has extensive experience working in health, youth leadership, human rights, and educational development.

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

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