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GEI Study Abroad: Sustainable Development

Name: GEI Study Abroad: Sustainable Development
Brand: Global Engagement Institute
SKU: 222429
Rating: 4.9 (10 reviews)

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Global Engagement Institute

4.9 (10 reviews)

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Students

GEI Study Abroad: Sustainable Development

Global Engagement Institute

4.9 · 10 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Multiple Locations +3

Rwanda
Thailand
Vietnam

Term

Fall, Short Term, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

African Studies Asian Studies Business Communications Cultural Studies Earth Sciences Ecology Environmental Studies Global Studies International Relations Political Science Social Sciences Sustainable Development +3

Merit-based funding

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Program Details

Program Type

Direct Enrollment

Degree Level

Bachelors Masters

Housing

Apartment Host Family

Language

English

Last Updated: Jun 28, 2022

Last Reviewed: Oct 23, 2019

Wish List

17 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Engage deeply with principles and practices of sustainable development through immersive study in Rwanda, Thailand, or Vietnam. The program balances scholarly rigor - covering topics like the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), sustainability assessment tools, environmental policy analysis, and participatory planning - with experiential fieldwork. You’ll interpret frameworks such as the Triple Bottom Line and Adaptive Management through site-based learning.

During the course, activities span structured seminars, policy and case study reviews, and collaborative projects with local NGOs, government agencies, and community-based organizations. You’ll conduct a capstone project - such as a sustainability audit, community development plan, or policy brief - prioritizing measurable impact. Participants also build a professional portfolio showcasing analytical and strategic skills for a future in sustainable development.

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Program Highlights

Interdisciplinary learning: Experience how different sustainability issues intersect and reinforce each other through an integrated curriculum.
Field-based insights: Participate in excursions and projects that showcase Rwanda's leadership in sustainability, from human wellbeing to sustainable economies, nutrition, energy decarbonization, sustainable urban planning, and the global environmental co
Community impact: Work on projects that not only enhance your learning but also contribute positively to local communities.

Expanding Program Portfolio

We are thrilled to announce the launch of three new interdisciplinary program areas for our study abroad portfolio that will become available in 2026. You can now study Global Engineering, Entrepreneurship & Social Innovation, and Global Mental Health in such amazing destinations as Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand, or Vietnam. These new tracks complement our existing programs in Global Health and Sustainable Development.

Expanding Program Portfolio

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

GEI’s work explicitly supports the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a plan of action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. At its core, it focuses on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of critical importance for humanity and the planet. We share the 2030 Agenda’s vision of a sustainable world – a world where all people can live productive, vibrant and peaceful lives on a healthy planet. Our purpose is to unleash the catalytic impact of international education, engagement, and exchange to address key challenges set out by the SDGs. To do so, we blend research, education, training, and innovative practical solutions that support transformations toward sustainability.

Popular Programs

GEI Rwanda: Sustainable Development (Summer)

Witness Rwanda’s ambitious approach to environmental restoration and rural resilience. Engage firsthand with agroforestry, watershed conservation, and community-led green initiatives. Combine immersive field observations with analytical reflection on policy coherence and local impact.

GEI Thailand: Sustainable Development (Summer)

Explore sustainable solutions in Thailand’s varied ecosystems - from mangrove corridors to agricultural heartlands. Collaborate with experts on climate adaptation, circular economy concepts, and community-led tourism. Perfect for students interested in eco-policy and environmental innovation.

GEI Vietnam: Sustainable Development (Summer)

Engage with Vietnam’s rapid growth and climate challenges in urban and rural contexts. Work alongside practitioners on projects in sustainable urban planning, clean energy transitions, and coastal resilience. Ideal for those seeking tangibly applied SDG-related development work.

Program Reviews

4.90 Rating

based on 10 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 90%
4 rating 10%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 3.9
Support 4.7
Fun 4.9
Housing 4.2
Safety 4.7

Good for Students

Showing 9 - 10 of 10 reviews

This was a very well organized program. We were expected to read documents on infection prevention and control before we arrived, our first week was spent at the University of Rwanda (UR) learning from professors and UR students, and our final two weeks were spent in health care settings applying our knowledge. Everything built on itself.
Perhaps my favorite thing about this experience was the relationships we made with the UR students. Kigali is also an amazing city with a lot to do in your free time.

What would you improve about this program?

This is a new program, and as such there were a few minor kinks that needed to be ironed out. Mainly I think there should be a an incentive for the UR students because they do a lot of work.

The Global Mental Health Summer School/ Conference was a fantastic way to consolidate knowledge gained from an MSc in Global Mental Health. It was a way to learn about challenges and successes in mental health care in Rwanda and the wider regions from those in country and be able to compare and contrast with the literature that is available, bridging the gap between our academic knowledge and evidence and our lack of practical or lived experience in the field.

The information was presented in a way that was easy to understand but having a background knowledge in the area allowed a more effective and critical look at the information and reflecting on the similarities and differences with whats presented in literature to the experience on the ground.

The presenters were inspiring and showed a high level of expertise that was invaluable. However, being able to share experiences with other students and mental health professionals also attending the conference from Rwanda and other places around the world meant that you not only learnt about current initiatives but also how they translate on the ground. Additionally, it meant being able to share and compare our different cultures, values and the way our countries promote mental health and prevent mental ill-health, reflecting how we can incorporate newly learnt initiatives back home.

A wonderful week full of reflection, friendships and learning.

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

At the start of the Fall 2017 semester, I knew that I wanted to find some opportunity to travel abroad for a program related to healthcare for the following summer. Upon hearing about the Rwanda Global Health Internship offered at BYU, I immediately felt strongly that it would be a perfect opportunity for me to enhance my world perspective by getting to experience healthcare through a culture outside of America.

I had the privilege of connecting with various immigrants from Rwanda during my time as a missionary in Montréal, Canada, and hearing about this internship opportunity reignited the connection I felt with them. It also fueled a desire to do everything in my capabilities to pursue this opportunity. It just felt right to me.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Brigham Young University helped me feel well-prepared for the internship. They gave me some good expectations of what I would be doing, and they also relieved the stress of logistically planning an international trip. The Global Engagement Institute, our program provider, did everything in their power to ensure that I would get the most out of my Rwandan experience. They were extremely accommodating and taught me to really embrace the culture of Rwanda. In addition, they gave me some great opportunities to interact with health professionals of various backgrounds.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would advise anyone considering this internship to spend as much time as you can learning about Rwanda BEFORE you arrive. Rwanda has a unique history and culture, and the more you know about the country's context, the better prepared you will be to facilitate positive interactions with the locals. They enjoy guests who come to visit their country and appreciate when you show genuine interest and knowledge of their culture.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

IPC is an important acronym to know as most of our days revolve entirely around it. It stands for Infection Prevention/Control. Here’s what one day could look like during the week:

We wake up at 6:30 AM and get ready for the day. We do some laundry if it needs done, and we eat the breakfast provided for us. We start walking to the health center around 8:30 AM and get there close to 9 AM. From there, we attend a health education course that is held for patients or anyone else in the community on topics such as HIV/AIDS, other communicable diseases, and health insurance.

After the course is done with, we usually start to focus on the Infection Prevention/Control assignment for the day. This could include observation/interaction with healthcare workers and patients or meetings with the clinical directors. We work until lunch which is usually around noon at the local women’s center.

After lunch, we spend some time discussing our findings from the morning, and we talk about ways to help the health center improve their IPC efforts. After that, we continue working on the different presentations and reports we have for the next few days. We usually end the day around 4 PM.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was being able to connect with the locals. I had spent some time with Rwandans before, but I had never been to their country. This gave me a great bit of uncertainty, and this carried over until we got there. Once we arrived, our coordinators from the Global Engagement Institute really helped us feel comfortable. We were given cultural background and advice from different members of GEI which allowed us to understand the environment in which we would be working.

It takes a continual effort to step outside of your comfort zone, but when you do it, you start to learn and grow in completely new ways.

How did you manage all of the expenses for your internship?

Evidently, traveling abroad is an expensive endeavor. Brigham Young University did a great job at informing me of the many ways in which I could seek help to fund my international experience. I applied to numerous scholarships on both the university and national level. I received funding from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship and BYU ISP Scholarship. The help I received from these programs alleviated much of the financial burden for my internship. I strongly believe that no student should ever avoid traveling abroad simply because of finances. There are plenty of resources out there just waiting to help you achieve your goals; you just have to get out there and find them!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory is the day I visited Ndere Cultural Centre in Uganda. I enjoyed seeing the comedian who was also acting as the master of ceremony. He had such funny jokes that the audience almost died from laughter.

The troupe performed the Baganda’s traditional dances with dancing styles from different parts of Uganda and simulated the Rwandan traditional dance “intore” and Burundian drumming. I had fun and also enjoyed their evening barbecue.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

International experiences are priceless. GEI has taught me that there is no special way of doing great things and exposed me to different life-changing learning opportunities. I have also been informed of fantastic stories that I did not even know about Rwanda, my own country.

I now believe that there are many wonderful things everywhere. I have learned to embrace diversity and realized that, beyond our differences, we are all the same.

I realize now that we can collaborate to create the positive impacts we want to see in our communities.

My driving force is my desire to positively impact people and no longer limited to my immediate environment. GEI is a nice experience for both my professional development and my personal life outside work.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

All GEI programs are great. Each of them has a specific purpose with learning and exchange opportunities. If I am to choose one, I would love to go on an internship program such as the Global Mental Health Internships in Rwanda. The internship programs help international students to learn from our local organizations in their academic fields and immerse themselves in a different culture and developing country.

In addition, it is a nice experience for both local hosts and international students to exchange ideas and get exposed to new practical skills, new cultures, and a different working environment in their field. The internship model definitely provides students the opportunity to develop practical skills.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Everybody deserves a travel learning opportunity. GEI has been successful in engaging international students and professionals in different learning and exchange programs in developing countries and showcasing the work being done by those countries towards sustainable development.

This is the unique opportunity to learn from developing countries and share experiences through study abroad and volunteering programs. I always feel proud of my team whenever I think of the many times I see my superiors working extra hours without complaining and always focusing on how to make possible arrangements to satisfy our clients’ needs and get the work done well. Their commitment to work, courage and their will to help and serve are impressive.

About Global Engagement Institute

GEI is a private institute offering transformative education and engagement programs for international students and professionals in Africa and Southeast Asia. Our mission is to inspire and empower individuals and institutions to apply their passion and skills to create positive change in the world. Through our diverse study abroad, internship, and...

GEI Study Abroad: Sustainable Development

GEI Study Abroad: Sustainable Development