Early Fall Start Study Abroad:
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026 (but apply early if you can)
Dates of Program: August 28-September 20, 2026
Credits: 5 credits
Cost: The program fee is $4,400 but remember:
A very high percentage of UW students receive substantial financial aid to study abroad;
The fee includes tuition – you don’t pay tuition on top of the program fee;
The fee includes all lodging and many meals, as well as all travel within Rwanda;
The fee does not include airfare – that is your own responsibility.
To apply: https://studyabroad.washington.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=12421
Description:
This program explores leadership and nation building as they take shape through sports development, global health, ecotourism and human rights. Thirty years after the genocide, how has the government used these areas to rebuild the nation and establish Rwanda as a significant player on the world stage?
Rwanda provides a fascinating site to explore these topics, with a thriving economy, an expanding global economic and cultural footprint, and one of the safest places to live on the continent. Yet all of this has been achieved through the forceful hand of an autocratic government. What are the losses and what are the gains of this approach to leadership, nation building, and development? How has Rwanda established itself as a model of good governance, anti-corruption and economic development?
UW students will partner with students from the African Leadership University (ALU) throughout the program, providing a unique opportunity to work closely with students based at ALU's main campus in the capital city of Rwanda, Kigali. ALU draws its student body from across the continent, with approximately half coming from more than 30 African nations, while the other half come from Rwanda. UW and ALU students will take joint classes and workshops, and work collaboratively on research projects focused in one of the four topical areas of the program - sports development, global health, ecotourism, and human rights. The program includes site visits and guest speakers relevant to all four sub-themes - along with workshops from expert instructors from both UW and ALU.
Planned site visits include the newly redeveloped Amohoro ("Peace") Sports and Cultural District, the Kigali Genocide Memorial (and others), Volcanoes National Park, The Dian Fossey Gorrila Museuma and Visitors Center, the University of Global Health Equity (founded by Dr. Paul Farmer), Solid Africa (a sustainable agriculture and food security NGO), and Live Well Rwanda (a Yoga and Wellness organization).
Come join us for an information session to learn more about the program:
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 7-8pm, Zoom Meeting: https://washington.zoom.us/j/7984304884