Overview
Designed for students in most majors, the Gateway Program in Namibia offers students the opportunity to enroll in classes in one of the South African region’s premier universities, the University of Namibia (UNAM) and to engage in coursework taught through the lens of the local African context. The program facilitates interaction with students from various backgrounds and challenges students to initiate meaningful learning experiences in a setting that is both vastly different than the U.S. yet familiar in its sophisticated development. For the socially-minded student, the program provides volunteer and internship work with community organizations that empower this young democratic country. Students live on the university campus, which encourages interactions with other students, and has easy access to shops, nature and weekend recreation. Namibians, who have a reputation of being friendly, welcome international students and develop bonds that often continue beyond this five-month program. The country is vast and the study tours engage students with indigenous people, cultures and countrysides. Monthly activities include interactions with Namibian and other international students and local families in Windhoek. The program also allows students the time and space to explore the country on their own and with student groups from the University of Namibia.
Program Goals
- To broaden understanding of historical, educational, health, environmental, cultural and social issues that Namibians and other South Africans face.
- To develop an understanding of how limitations on funding and resources impact the non-profit sector in Namibia.
- To broaden students’ knowledge of the diverse perspectives related to social issues such as education, the environment, and development as they pertain to various ethnic groups in Namibia.
- For Education Majors Only: To practice applying theories of teaching and learning to meet the practical demands of classroom teaching
Minimum GPA required by host program: 2.7 GPA (3.0 preferred).
Academics
Students receive credit on this program. Because Namibia is in the southern hemisphere, the University of Namibia (UNAM) operates on a different academic timeline. The Spring semester is equivalent to UNAM semester 1, with classes normally running from early February to May. Because the Gateway Namibia program ends before the end of the UNAM academic year, students in this program will not be required to take UNAM’s final exams. The UNAM final examination period typically runs from mid-May through June. Instead, grades will be assessed based on the mid-semester examinations, participation, and assignments (Continuing Assessment).
Required J-Term Course
Previous course:
HIST 289: Special topics in Non-West History (SO – 4 credits)
The course, taught by Martha Akawa, a UNAM Professor of History, focuses on Namibia’s history and development as a democratic country and highlights issues related to education, health and the environment. All students take this required course, which provides a historical perspective on Namibia from colonization to democracy.
Spring Semester: Courses at the University of Namibia for students majoring in Education, Natural Sciences, or Social Sciences.
Natural & Social Sciences - students should be aware that it may be difficult to take coursework in both the Natural and Social Sciences (ie, science major courses and GenEd courses) due to scheduling overlap.
Students will enroll in 3-4 Natural & Social Science courses at UNAM.
Coursework options for Natural Sciences includes:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Studies
- Geoscience
- Physics
Coursework for Social Sciences includes:
- Anthropology
- Economics
- History
- Politics and Government
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Social Work
The course catalogs for all programs can be found on UNAM's page for "Guides and Prospectuses". A prospectus is equivalent to a course catalog, and there is a separate prospectus for each department.
Site Director's Course (4 credits)
The Site Director will offer a course in their area of expertise that utilizes place-based learning techniques. This course is optional, but highly recommended.
Internship (1-4 credits)
Students may also elect to complete an internship/research for departmental credit or COOP 477: International Work Experience.
Study Tours
Northern Study Tour: Students participate in a 7-day study tour, that includes visits to rural villages in northern Namibia, interaction with those involved in animal conservation, health, and education efforts, and exploration of Namibia’s prime national park and game reserve, Etosha National Park. Students have an overnight homestay where they live in rural homesteads and participate in daily life.
Southern Study Tour: At the university’s mid-semester break, students participate in a second study tour that includes climbing the world’s tallest sand dunes in the Namib-Naukluft National Park and explore the seaport town of Swakopmund, and Damara Land, home to unique geographical features and San (Bushman) rock art.
Batik Workshop: Students interact with a local batik artist, learn about local methods and create their own batik designs during a 3-day workshop.
Housing
Student Residence Hall
You will live on campus among other University of Namibia students in a housing complex that has multiple buildings, similar to a large dormitory complex. There are double rooms and the bathroom and shower is shared between two rooms. There are two kitchen areas on each floor that are shared with 24 students who live on each level. The common space on each floor include the kitchen, tables and a television.
Meal & Transportation Stipend
On this program, you would receive regular stipends to go towards the cost of groceries and the independence to prepare your own meals. Many students choose to cook together in the shared kitchen space in order to save money and spend time together.
Dates
This program is available during spring semester. The spring semester begins in early January and ends in May.
Cost
Please see the Willamette Sponsored Programs Cost Matrix for a detailed explanation of the cost of each program.