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Peacebuilding in Rwanda

*This is a past Program. To see a list of our current programs please visit our current programs page.*

Program Details

Rwanda is an emerging power in Eastern Africa and has undergone rapid economic and civil society development since the 1990s civil war and the 1994 genocide. As a key player in the African Union, a reoccurring member of the United Nations Security Council, and a Commonwealth country, Rwandan politics is highly influential within the region and an ideal location for a study abroad or even a semester abroad.

As one of the most stable countries in Africa, one of the least corrupt countries in Africa, and a fairly young democracy, Rwanda is extremely interesting for students to study. The tragedies of 1994 (genocide) also allow for the exploration of transitional justice, including reforms in legal systems, and discussions of reconciliation after mass atrocity, and will serve to enhance the student's capacity to analyze root courses of past conflicts and to facilitate conflict resolution and sustainable peace. For more information, please see: Peacebuilding in Rwanda and Political Science Department

Requirements:

  • Students must interview with Dr. Wolfe for final acceptance. She can be contacted via email at stephaniewolfe@weber.edu.
  • Physically all students must undergo a series of shots and medications before departure (malaria, typhoid, etc) and be a minimum of 18 years old.
  • Those with special dietary needs should discuss their requirements before traveling as food choices are severely limited.

Destination:

  • Kigali, Rwanda

Program Dates:

June 10 - June 24, 2023

Extensions available for option #2 and option #3

Cost

Cost: $2,750 Plus Airfare

Suggested Payment Schedule (This does not need to be followed exactly. It is a guide so you do not have to pay so much at the end, but you can pay as much or as little as you want so long as the trip is paid in full before you leave):

  • Deposit: $500
  • Dec. 2, 2022- $375
  • Jan. 6, 2023- $375
  • Feb. 3, 2023- $375
  • Mar. 3, 2023- $375
  • April 1, 2023 - $375
  • May 2, 2023 - $375 Final payment

Deposit: $500

Deposit is due 72 hours after registration. If not paid in that timeframe, you may be dropped from your trip.

Payments can now be made online! Visit this website for instructions on how to pay your deposit and future payments online. Charges should show on your account within 24-48 hours after registration. If you want to pay with cash or check, please pay at the Hurst Center for Lifelong Learning.

Included: accommodation, local transportation abroad, activities with Never Again Rwanda, insurance, and tuition.

Not included: passport, airfare, incidentals, excess baggage costs, any unscheduled travel, and meals

Itinerary

Itinerary is subject to change. Please make sure to attend all pre-departure meetings!

January 15 - May 15: montly meetings of 50 minutes to discuss Rwanda and what to expect

In Rwanda: sessions Monday-Friday approx. 8-5 pm with field visits to Kigali Genocide Memorial, Murambi, Parliament and other locations of interest.

Academic Courses

This program offers:

  • OPTION 1: 6 credits for 2 weeks in Rwanda and remote coursework for the remainder of the semester
  • OPTION 2: 9 credits for 6 weeks in Rwanda and the remote coursework for the remainder of the semester
  • OPTION 3: 12 credits for 10 weeks in Rwanda and remote coursework

3 credits minimum. In order to qualify for Financial Aid, you will need to take a minimum of 6 credits.

The political science credits will be as follows:

  • POLS 2930 - Peacebuilding in Rwanda. All study abroad students should enroll in POLS 2930 and attend the two-week peacebuilding seminar in Rwanda (3 credits).

Students may also take either (but not both):

  • POLS 4870: Rwanda: Genocide and Aftermath
  • POLS 4860: Internships (1 – 6 credits allowed.) Internships require working in Rwanda at a local NGO for the summer. This requires instructor approval, approval from our partner - Never Again Rwanda, and the NGO in which the intern is being placed out. This extends the program by 1-2 months if they choose this option.

Other classes may be added from participating departments pending approval from those departments. The departments who have offered a willingness to work with us are: Criminal Justice, Sociology, Women and Gender Studies, Psychology, and Communications.

Program Directors

Dr. Stephanie Wolfe has taught Rwanda After Genocide six times, co-led a trip to Rwanda from Keene State College (NH) in 2011 and from Weber State yearly since 2014.

stephaniewolfe@weber.edu

Trip Cancellations

If Weber State cancels a trip for any reason, all participants will be refunded 100% of funds paid to the school. If a participant withdraws from the program for any reason, they are subject to the refund policy found on the first page of the application.  Deposits are always non-refundable, unless the program is canceled by Weber State.  No refunds will be issued 30 days prior to program start date. 

Refunds will NOT be given to students due to COVID-19 concerns. Before programs were canceled in 2020, every student was given the option to withdraw from programs without penalty due to COVID-19. This year students are applying, cognizant of the pandemic. Weber State will not intentionally place students into high risk situations. We will work together with Program Leaders and Departments on canceling should the destination demonstrate increased risks, be they from COVID or any other concern. As such, students must abide by the standard refund policy.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Study Abroad Office at (801) 626-8715.