HEA 407

Course Overview

The Department of Public Health Education is offering a second summer session course that includes a 21-day trip to Livingstone, Zambia to learn about international public health in that region.

Special emphasis will be on understanding the primary health care system, the multiple effects of HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria on families and households, and factors impacting child health and nutrition.

These are current issues that pose a challenge to the well-being and quality of life of Zambian residents.

A View of Zambia

Zambia’s population is around 10.5 million, and composed almost entirely of Africans, though there are some smaller minority groups including Europeans, Asians, Americans, and others. While the people of Africa are often viewed as belonging to a multitude of tribes, Zambian cultural identity is rather complex. Over 70 different dialects are spoken, though English is spoken by almost everyone.

Almost 80% of the adult population is literate, and most Zambians are enthusiastic conversationalists. They will be eager to assist you when they can, and to help you learn about their country and customs as they learn about yours as well.

Zambian market

Dr. Morrison teaching Zambian students -click to close image

Student teaching Zambian children -click to close image

Zambian health clinic -click to close image

Student living quarters -click to close image

Students chilling out-click to close image

Zambian house -click to close image

Doing Service-Learning (Projects)

Students will work with local community partners and stakeholders to advance an ongoing program or service, e.g. assist local community volunteers in providing home-based care, work with staff at a well baby clinic, teach a class on healthy eating at a local primary school, participate in HIV/AIDS outreach, help with local farming, build a school room. See Zambia Medical-Project Info document (PDF).

Living in Livingstone, Zambia

Livingstone, Zambia is not considered dangerous. During the summer months, nights and early mornings are cool and can reach as low as 9ºC (48ºF), while mid-day heat can reach up to 31ºC (87ºF).

The native cuisine is based on nshima, a cooked porridge made from ground maize, which is eaten at least twice a day. This is usually made thin, perhaps with sugar, for breakfast, then eaten thicker, the consistency of mashed potatoes, for dinner. For these main meals it will usually be accompanied by a tasty relish, called ndiwo, which can be fish, beans, chicken, beef, and vegetables. At many of the small restaurants they will often offer only three dishes: nshima with chicken, nshima with meat, and nshima with fish.

Most Zambians will tell you all about their local culture and customs, so there’s no need to be concerned about making any mistakes - they’ll understand!

Student living quarters

Zambian parade

Our Partners

Bridge Volunteers: specializes in sending students and volunteers abroad to participate in cultural immersion, language training, and volunteer projects overseas. Their solid academic courses, outstanding facilities, knowledgeable in-country staff, and network of global contacts combine to make their service learning and volunteer programs among the best available.

African Impact: offers a safe and supervised environment for travelers to encounter Africa. African Impact is a family-run organization with over 20 years of experience in African travel and a proud record of safety and environmental awareness.

Course Dates, Travel, and Costs

Course dates: June 25 – August 1, 2009

Tentative Air Travel Dates: July 5, 2009 and July 27, 2009 (subject to change)

Approximate cost: $3360 (based on a minimum of 12 students; maximum 15) – includes registration for 6 credit hours, lodging, 3 meals per day, local transportation, tours, tuition, fees, study abroad insurance, local service project materials (subject to change and final approval)
Students are advised to budget an additional $2950 to cover airfare and any other additional costs **.

Zambian sunset.