Spring 2013 Honors Seminar: Public Health in Southern Africa with study tour to South Africa and Botswana

HNRS3067, Thursdays 4:00-6:50pm
BoKs - DC, SE

Students will gain hands-on, real word exposure to public health in Southern Africa during the semester and will then engage in a two-week study tour to South Africa and Botswana. Students will develop a working knowledge of the millennium development goals, public health, and microbiology as it pertains to our understanding of diseases.  Topics to be covered include modes of transmission, the pathogen life cycles, prevention/education, treatment strategies, and social/ethical issues, with a particular emphasis on Africa.  The focus will include diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Students will also learn more about Southern Africa through guest speakers, as well as student-led, in-class discussions. 

Itinerary (tentative) - Travel Dates: April 23rd - May 6th

April 23    Depart Cincinnati

April 24    Arrive in Johannesburg and travel to Pretoria

April 25    Visit to Topsy Foundation (rural HIV clinic)

April 26    Visit to University of Limpopo (including urban HIV clinic)

April 27    Walking tour of Pretoria

April 28    Travel to Johannesburg; Fly to Gaborone, Botswana

April 29 - 3    Gaborone, Botswana

May 3 - 5       Mokolodi Nature Reserve

May 5            Depart Mokolodi Nature Reserve/Gaborone for Johannesburg, then Cincinnati

May 6     Arrive in Cincinnati

Costs

Expected costs will be updated as final travel plans are made and are highly contingent upon airfare.

Total expected cost paid to UC is $3200. The actual cost for UC is $4200, but this will be offset by a $1000 grant from University Honors, making the actual total expected cost around $3200. All participants will receive the grant.

Costs include airfare, accommodations, visa fee, some meals, ground transportation in Africa, guides and translators, some tips for guides/porters.

Costs do not include tips (est. $25.00) passport, most meals (at airports), some snacks, vaccinations, personal supplies (bug spray, sunscreen, etc.), souvenirs, or ISIC (international student identity card, $25). It is recommended that students bring at least $100 USD with them.

Students are required to purchase an ISIC (International Student Identification Card) from UC International for $25. This is not included in the total expected cost.

Participants can apply for grants from UC International.

Passport
All participants must have a valid passport. Passport must be valid for 6 months after travel. Passport costs are the responsibility of the student.

Health

We encourage all applicants to review the CDC pages for South Africa and Botswana.  Contact your physician to discuss what vaccinations and heath precautions are recommended.

Application
The application and interview process are now completed.

UC undergraduates who are not in University Honors are encouraged to apply to participate, provided the student has a cumulative university GPA of 3.4 or above. All participants will receive the honors grant mentioned under costs.

Questions?

For information please contact either professor for the course Jason Blackard or Tina Weitkamp. You can contact André Durham in the University Honors Program, as well.