For the last month I’ve been super excited about Go Global. I kept imagining myself doing a beautiful term abroad, learning and living in South Africa. O Africa. [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XNaihNT5aQ[/youtube]
Today I equipped myself with boots and umbrella and came to Go Global advising full of dreams and expectations. What did I find? –> Cape Town University is no longer a partner university.
After a deep breath I looked at the good side of things and remembered that there is another partner university in Africa. BUT… —> the University of Botswana is not a partner university yet.
Luckily for me, there was a final option: Group Study in West Africa. What did I find? –> the fee is $12550 for ONE TERM without including tuition! How can I be expected to pay for one term what I spend in two terms?!
I don’t want to go to other universities in North America, Europe or Australia because I want something completely different from what I have experienced so far and they are way too expensive. I don’t want to go to any of the two Latin American options because I come from a Latin American country, I know what it’s like to live there. So what am I left with? A technological university in India. Seriously?
I feel let down by the promise of opportunities and all the “we bring you the world” talk. What happened with the map that I saw in the UBC brochure that had lines going from UBC to all parts of the world under a “Go Global” title?
I can’t remember what the writing trope is called for when the character’s mood in the novel reflects the weather, but I feel just like that. And now let me go back out to this cloudy, windy, rainy day.
What???? There are only two partner countries in Africa? It’s flippin’ huge. :(
I really want to know what those songs are called in Iris’s video.
I feel for you!
This blog will probably get a few responses from the Go Global team…
PS: You should email it to them. Just in case they miss it.
Oh no! ):
I would definitely have expected more options available there. It would’ve been such a brilliant opportunity! Hope it all works out for you!
Hey Valentina! You should email this post to the Go Global office, I’m sure they’d be happy to chat with you.
One other thing, students can always help form relationships with universities and make them partner universities!! If you are really passionate about it, research some universities in Africa, email them and see if you can connect them with UBC’s Go Global office. I know McGill has a great program set up with a university in Ghana, so another option is to contact McGill’s International exchange office and ask them for their contact info for that university. Good luck!
One last note – UBC’s motto is Tuum Est: It’s yours/make it yours. So if you want to do exchange in Africa, it’s yours! The opportunity is still as open as ever :)
Hello Valentina,
We appreciate your feedback regarding the Go Global program options currently available in Africa as well as the responses and words of encouragement from your peers. We do want to clarify some of this information for you and other UBC students who might be interested in participating in an international learning program so below you will find a summary of the breadth of opportunities currently available (and upcoming) in Africa.
We invite you to speak to an advisor (who are available by email or in person) if you are interested in exploring any of these opportunities further and as always, we are happy to address any concerns regarding Go Global programs directly.
Best Wishes,
Carol Zachs,
Go Global
EXCHANGE:
University of Cape Town:
We continue to have a partnership with this university. The partnership is reciprocal; that is we send and receive students. As UCT has not sent many students to UBC, they cannot accept UBC students on tuition waiver students this year. We will be able to send again next year. We are continuing to explore alternative options for students like you to access this opportunity in other ways (i.e. study abroad paying tuition fees directly to UCT). As soon as we are able to formalize these opportunities, we will make the information available on our website.
University of Botswana:
As you mentioned, this partnership is currently being developed and we hope to be able to finalize shortly. As above, once we have finalized this process, we will immediately update our program information online. Our goal is still for the 2010/2011 cycle.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB): This European partner offers a unique opportunity to complete a two-month field course in rural development and project management at Makerere University as part of their Development program. Students spend the first semester at UMB and then travel with their cohort to Uganda. This is open to UBC students via exchange paying tuition to UBC (any additional program fees are assessed by UMB): http://www.umb.no/study-options/article/master-of-science-in-development-studies
GROUP STUDY PROGRAMS:
Canadian Field Studies in Africa:
This program is offered by McGill and more information can be found at: http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/group-study-programs/canadian-field-studies-in-africa/ Tuition is paid to UBC and you are correct that the program fee is $12,550. However, keep in mind that this includes flight to Africa from Montreal, accommodation, transportation and food for the duration of the program as well as other costs as listed on our site. Students also remain eligible for student loans and awards.
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE LEARNING:
Go Global’s International Service Learning (ISL) program engages students in meaningful projects led by community partners around the world. By taking part in an ISL program, students connect academic studies with real-world experience and become aware, active, and caring citizens.
Community development through sanitation and clean water programs (Lesotho): http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/international-service-learning/choosing-a-program-and-applying-to-go/summer-programs/apsc-sanitation-and-clean-water-programs-summer-term-1/
Children’s Rights and Advocacy: Community Development (Swaziland): http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/international-service-learning/choosing-a-program-and-applying-to-go/summer-programs/childrene28099s-rights-advocacy-swaziland-summer-term-1-or-2/
Community development through HIV/AIDS programs and services (Uganda): http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/international-service-learning/choosing-a-program-and-applying-to-go/summer-programs/hivaids-program-support-uganda-full-summer/
Community development through HIV/AIDS programs and services (Swaziland): http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/international-service-learning/choosing-a-program-and-applying-to-go/summer-programs/hivaids-program-support-swaziland-summer-term-1/
Literacy, community libraries, and achieving primary education (Uganda): http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/international-service-learning/choosing-a-program-and-applying-to-go/summer-programs/literacy-and-reading-cultures-uganda-full-summer/
SOCI 435: Perspectives on Global Community Partnership (Uganda): http://www.students.ubc.ca/global/learning-abroad/international-service-learning/choosing-a-program-and-applying-to-go/summer-programs/soci-435-perspectives-on-global-community-partnership-uganda/
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