Argentina
Amizade
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Argentina
Support organizations working in health, ecotourism, and the environment.
GESI in Argentina
*Update:
Due to presidential elections in Bolivia, GESI is shifting its South America location to Salta, Argentina for summer 2020. Last updated 1/27/20.
About GESI
The Global Engagement Studies Institute (GESI) is a study abroad program that provides undergraduates with the knowledge, tools, and experiences to partner with communities to confront shared global challenges. GESI provides opportunities in collaborative experiential learning – opportunities that develop global leaders while contributing to the sustainable development of communities in which our students work and learn. Through service-learning in Argentina, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, Uganda, or Vietnam, teams of students join the efforts of local organizations to advance community-driven change.
If you are looking for a program where you learn by doing and are ready to challenge yourself in the pursuit of global social change, GESI is for you.
Quick facts:
- GESI is one study abroad program with six different location options
- While students select a first and second choice location preference, GESI location is placement based
- All students live with a host family
- All years in undergrad and all majors/minors are eligible
GESI students work with community-based organizations in Uganda
Beautiful colors: GESI students in Hanoi, Vietnam
Partner Organizations
The GESI team collaborates closely with in-country partners who possess local expertise, including relationships with grassroots efforts and organizations in communities where students will live and work. The partner organization will:
- Be your 24/7 support in country
- Place you in a homestay family
- Help assign your work organization
Learn more about our partners in each of our locations, and about the philosophies behind their work.
Costa Rica
Institute for Central American Development Studies
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Costa Rica
Contribute to the research and analysis of social and environmental development issues.
GESI in Costa Rica
Ghana
Amizade
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Ghana
Join Challenging Heights in ending human trafficking.
GESI in Ghana
Guatemala
Social Entrepreneur Corps
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Guatemala
Train local entrepreneurs to provide communities access to technologies and services to improve health and quality of life.
GESI in Guatemala
Uganda
Kaya Responsible Travel
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Uganda
Support organizations working in microfinance, income generation, health, women's empowerment, and youth & education.
GESI in Uganda
Vietnam
Kaya Responsible Travel
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Vietnam
Promote sustainable development, empower communities, and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.
GESI in Vietnam
Location Placement
Keep in mind that while you will select your top two location preferences in the application, the GESI staff will ultimately determine your placement based on:
- Available spots. Not all students will be placed in their first choice location.
- Demonstrated language ability for Spanish-speaking locations. This is tested in your interview.
- Your work interests.
- The requests and needs of the community.
"GESI takes everything you think you know about the world and completely flips it upside down in an extremely impactful way. The skills and lessons I learned from GESI will last me a lifetime."
Rachel Gladney (Uganda 2014)
Connect with GESI AlumsProgram Details
GESI has three components that make up the structure:
- Pre-departure orientation
- In-country
- Final Reflection Summit
All accommodations and the majority of meals are arranged for students for all three components.
Program dates
GESI 2020 program dates are June 15 - August 20:
- June 15 - 22 - Pre-departure orientation at Northwestern
- June 23 - Departure day to GESI locations
- June 23 - August 17 - In GESI country
- August 17 - Return to Chicago
- August 18- 20 - Final Reflection Summit
All components of GESI are a mandatory part of the program.
Academics
Pre-Departure Orientation
The GESI program starts on Northwestern’s campus where students take two Northwestern courses focused on building an understanding of their role in the process of international immersion and community development. In addition to two academically rigorous Northwestern courses, students will attend country-specific sessions, learn about development topics from practitioners, and attend language classes to prepare them for time abroad. We will spend significant time discussing social identities, health and safety, and sharing resources. GESI students will also work closely with a team of student instructors, who will provide academic and personal support, as well as assist in teaching activities.
GESI courses*:
- SESP 395-SA: Special Topics
- INTL ST 393-SA Development in the Global Context
In-Country
While in your GESI country, you will be working in teams with local organizations, advancing their efforts towards sustainable change. Topics vary in each location and include focuses like human rights, sustainable agriculture, gender rights, health services, and youth/education. Your schedule will resemble a work schedule common in your location. You will continue to submit weekly assignments for your professors.
Final Reflection Summit
Upon your return from your GESI country, we will be back in the classroom space at Northwestern for three days as a cohort to discuss lessons learned, challenges, and successes of the summer work. We believe that reflective practice is an integral component of study abroad programs. The GESI Final Reflection Summit is designed to help students contextualize their international community development experiences within the larger issues of international development theory and practice.
Pre-departure packets
The pre-departure packets are a written collaboration between GESI staff and the on-site partners. These are meant to be a useful resource for students before arrival.
- Argentina to be posted soon
- Costa Rica
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Uganda
- Vietnam
Travel, Passports, & Visas
Please make sure to have a current passport, valid for at least six months from the end of your program. GESI staff will book group flights. Once you are accepted, you will be provided more information about applying for your visa.
If you have more questions about the GESI program, review the program pages for your desired location(s) and read through GESI FAQs.
Student Stories
One active way GESI encourages story sharing is through the Open Letters curriculum. Open Letters are an exercise to deepen reflective practice, reinforce group formation, and provide opportunities for students to convey the impact of their experiences and engagement in new ways. The Story Slam is the live recording of GESI students sharing an Open Letter. These are live recordings that have not been edited or modified.