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Agriculture, Development, Environment and Gender: NGO Internships in Malawi

Spring Semester 2009

January 12 – May 1, 2009 (includes six weeks on MSU campus)

Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science in conjunction with the African Studies Center , the Center for Gender in Global Context and the Institute of International Agriculture.
Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad ( OSA )


What's this program about?

This program is a cooperative venture between the College of Social Science , College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Center for Gender in Global Context, the African Studies Center , and the Institute of International Agriculture which will allow students the opportunity to carry a full semester courseload while participating in a non-governmental organization (NGO) internship. Students will be required to take intensive coursework for six weeks in East Lansing , two-weeks in Malawi , and an eight-week internship with an NGO. Some examples of NGOs a student may work with are Water Aid, Action Aid, or World Vision (all subject to change).

In Africa, thousands of NGOs work on projects related either directly or indirectly to agricultural and/or environmental processes. In examining these projects, we found that gender relations often determine who has access to critical resources. Malawi has traditionally had a strong gender division of labor in agriculture and natural resource management – with women and men sometimes growing different crops or performing different operations on the same crops. By studying complex issues such as women's access to land and other natural resources, household divisions of labor, and national and international economic development policies, students will gain an understanding of the cultural and societal forces at work in Malawi, and beyond that can constrain and, in some cases, empower rural families as they attempt to improve their well-being.


What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) credits from the following courses:

The core curriculum is designed to allow students a full semester of coursework by taking ANP 200 and ISS 330A in East Lansing, while enrolling in internship credits through the College of Social Science or the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources while in Malawi. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the courses offered with their academic advisor to determine which internship credit will fulfill their degree requirements.

Classes will meet at an accelerated rate during the first six weeks on the MSU campus. Once in Malawi , students will meet Monday through Friday for the internship and will have the weekends and national holidays for personal travel and study.


What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

This program is open to MSU students only.

Applicants' participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.


Where will I live?

Students will make their own arrangements for accommodations while attending classes at MSU. Once in Malawi , students will stay at Bunda College on the campus of the University of Malawi for two weeks. During the internship phase, students will be provided housing.


Who can tell me more about this program?

Dr. Anne Ferguson
Department of Anthropology, Director of Center for Gender in Global Context
206 International Center
Phone: (517) 353-5040
E-mail: fergus12@msu.edu

Dr. Tracy Dobson
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
10C Natural Resources Building
Phone: (517) 432-1711
E-mail: dobson@msu.edu

Kate Patch
Center for Gender in Global Context
206 International Center
Phone: (517) 353-5040
E-mail: patchkat@msu.edu


Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport and visa are required for entry into Malawi.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport to enter other countries. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the following Web page:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit the following Web page:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html


Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program's itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

Students participating in this program are strongly encouraged to receive a series of immunizations specific for travel within southeastern Africa. Students should schedule an appointment to be seen at a travel clinic at least three months before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines to consider before departure.

For further health information and recommendations, visit the following Web page:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html


How much does it cost?

The program fee was $2,801 in 2008* and included the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations in Malawi
• some meals
• accident and sickness insurance

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees**
• airfare
• accommodations at MSU prior to departure
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• onsite transportation
• passport application fee ($97)
• visa application fees
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• cell phone
• personal spending money

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program's departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*The 2009 program fee is expected to increase due to the location change to Malawi (the 2008 program was based in Ghana).

**Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.


How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad ( OSA ) and MSU's Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the following Web page:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union , as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the following Web page:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html .

Please check under “external scholarships” for awards specifically for this program.


How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting the following Web page:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15 th for spring semester participation. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing , that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you're abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at:

http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html .

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.