Study Abroad, Botswana: Study Abroad Botswana: A Non-traditional Student Review

The study abroad program in Botswana is exceptional. The onsite lecture and instruction time is unmatched by other programs. I would also argue that none of the other programs offer instruction on a location that is so closely related to Texas. It is well worth the investment of your time and money.

That said, lets look at practical matters. There are a few items that should be added to or qualified on the packing list. The mattresses provided are two inches thick and if you’re unaccustomed to sleeping on the ground I recommend a sleeping pad. There will be 16 people and one clothes line, quick dry towels and clothing are a must. Bring pants that fit loosely over the top of your shoes and shoes that go over your ankles. The majority of plants here have thorns or hooks that you need to protect your skin from. Even the grass seeds use nasty methods of distribution. It is the grass seeds that make it necessary to seal off your ankles in order to keep painful seeds from working their way into your shocks. Your shoes should also be leather with very small or without ventilation holes. When the group goes on safari, there will not be an opportunity to do laundry, so bring at least five to seven changes of clothes. The temperature fluctuates a lot in the Kalahari. You will have to dress for three seasons in one day. This makes a light day bag necessary. Your book bag will do, or a pack that has a water bladder and fits a couple of layers of clothes and snacks would be better. Only pack work cloth that your are willing to throw away, the work doesn’t last long, but the potential to roughen your clothes is there. When it comes to electronics, you must make a judgment call. The scenery is spectacular and this may very well be a once in a lifetime event. Risk does exist, so on the low end, bring a camera that preforms better than your phone and on the high end whatever you can afford. I would like to have had brought a thermal spotting scope and my wife’s nice camera with lenses, but decided it wasn’t worth the risk of loss or damage.

For the non-traditional student there are social and physical considerations. Extensive travel can be demanding on your body. In addition to the long plane ride there will be dozens of hours spent traveling off-road in 4X4 vehicles. If you have a limiting spine injury, you may wish to travel elsewhere. I highly recommend beginning a conditioning program months in advance to mitigate the physical fatigue of long distance off-road travel. The social aspect is the same as on UT campus. Where the difference comes in, is that there is no let up or refuge from it. You will be with your classmates around the clock 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for six weeks. I am very thankful to have some of the most polite, courteous, and respectful UT students as my classmates(a heartfelt thank you for a job well done to my classmates’ parents). With less courteous classmates, the synergy of personalities could be an issue. The time spent away from family, friends and your personal space must be factored in your decision to come to Botswana. For me, it was worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Shawn Evenson