INTRODUCTION
The Gambia, known as the “Switzerland of Africa” because of its peaceful history, is a small and culturally diverse English speaking country. It is an ideal location for undergraduate study abroad because of its openness to international visitors and its accessibility to students unfamiliar with African cultures. Studying in The Gambia offers students a truly unique experience different from the typical semester in Europe. Along with gaining a new awareness of an often misunderstood geographic region and culture, students will be exposed to The Gambia’s unique experience as a peaceful nation on a historically turbulent continent.
ON-SITE COORDINATOR
An on-site coordinator hired exclusively for this program will be present in The Gambia assisting and guiding the students throughout their semester in the country. In addition, one professor from a KSAC member college will teach courses at the University of The Gambia during the spring semester.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE GAMBIA
The University of The Gambia was established in 1999, building upon the university extension program in The Gambia offered by St. Mary’s University, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. UTG offers a Bachelor’s of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) and a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (M.B./Ch.B). It has an enrollment of 1356 students. It operates on a two-semester system and is modeled after the American university system. 110 full and part-time lecturers teach at the UTG. Lecturers have diverse professional backgrounds, such as senior academics from universities in North America, U.K., and West Africa as well as some distinguished professionals in The Gambia.
COURSES
Students will select courses offered by The University of The Gambia (UTG) in the spring semester. Additionally, students will be required to take a course taught by the visiting professor.
HOUSING
Housing for this program is guaranteed. A house in Banjul is rented specifically for this program's students.
VOLUNTEER OPTIONS
Students will have the opportunity to intern or volunteer (non-credit) at one of many local organizations. The opportunities for placements include many various human rights NGO, either of the two major newspapers, in a local school, or at the national museum in the capital city, Banjul. Internships will be arranged according to students’ interests and needs by the on-site coordinators and closely monitored.
CULTURE COURSES AND ORIENTATION
Students will participate in an orientation and receive on-going courses in the Wolof languages and Gambian culture. The language course will be taught by a local instructor also employed to teach Peace Corps Volunteers in The Gambia.
IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL
Students will travel to several different destinations in The Gambia outside of their primary location. These trips will take them to rural and urban destinations off the beaten path, exposing the students to the diversity of lifestyles throughout West Africa.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For more information, please visit the UTG website, or contact the Office of Global Education.