Windhoek, Namibia D 10

At A Glance

Term – D 2010

Project opportunities – IQP

Housing – University dormitory rooms

Director – Professor Peet

Preparation – 1/2 unit preparation activity

Application deadline – September 25, 2008 (before 1:00 pm)

LOCATION

Namibia is a southern African nation of extensive national parks, deserts, seaside ports, livestock farms, and towns, with an excellent infrastructure of maintained roads, clean water, and good services. Students will be based in Windhoek, the modern capital city, on the campus of the Polytechnic of Namibia, WPI’s partner university in Namibia. Students will work in the city as well as other parts of the country. There will be opportunities to visit national parks and other tourist attractions and limited opportunities to become familiar with African rural life.

PROJECTS

Namibia’s well-developed government and non-governmental agencies at both the national and municipal levels will sponsor most of the projects, and these projects will generally focus around issues of sustainable development. Private sector organizations may also sponsor projects. In particular, projects typically investigate alternative energy sources, improved water and sanitation management, improved preventive health education, low-income housing, micro-level income generating activities and tourism development. Local towns and peri-urban informal settlements will be the venue of some of the projects. No prior knowledge of Africa is needed, but the preparation will include a heavy commitment to learning about the culture of Namibia in addition to preparing specifically for the projects.

ESTIMATED EXPENSES:

Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses	$2,600 $ 100 $ 500 $ 800 $4,000	Round trip travel to site Local transportation (taxis) Dining out (5 x week) Weekend tourist activities & incidentals Estimate total out-of-pocket expenses
Expenses Included on your WPI Bill	$1,900	Housing, meal plan, some transportation and program expenses
Estimated Total Expenses	$5,900	Tuition and WPI On-Campus Housing NOT INCLUDED

Subject to change due to fluctuations in exchange rate

Note:

In calculating the extra expense to participate in an off-campus project experience, compare this figure to expenses incurred while living on campus (groceries or meal plan, entertainment expenses, transportation, etc.)

Some scholarship assistance for students going to this project center is available for those who are U.S. citizens and Pell Grant recipients. Apply to the Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship Program.

Travel Dates:

Arrive: March 13, 2010
Depart: May 8, 2010

Housing is provided beginning and ending on the dates above. Students who plan to arrive earlier or stay later will need to make their own accomodation arrangements outside of those dates.