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  • "GESI is about engaging a world that is bigger, more exciting, and more complex than most people imagine. This abroad experience has allowed me to learn more about myself as a student, a partner in the work world, and as a member of humanity, and I'm looking forward to my continued growth in all these capacities."

    - Tarik Patterson

  • "GESI is not a program that teaches you how to help others. It is one that enables you to turn "others" into "us". It is real living with real people, and immerses you into a culture that is as sophisticated and complex as your own."

    - Michelle Kim

  • "GESI exposed me to the difficult but rewarding realities of community development: True impact comes from work at the grittiest level. If you're considering a career in a non-profit, NGO, social work, or anything that supports your community, an experience like this is vital."

    - Kirk Vaclavik

  • "There are two ways of learning: by keeping your nose to a book or by opening your eyes to the world. GESI provides the rare learning opportunity as it combines both forms. I know I have walked away invariably changed for the better."

    - Kalindi Shah

  • "Our project involved community members in every conceivable way. My relationships built with community members were my most proud and lasting accomplishments."

    –Sebastian Buffa

  • "I was looking for an opportunity to create lasting change--both in a community and in myself. GESI sets its participants up with the necessary tools and skills, and then gives them complete freedom to learn, fail, rework, and eventually succeed."

    - Rena Oppenheimer

  • "The program has given me a glimpse into what it is like to work internationally at the grassroots level. Having the hands on experience that the program has given me, I feel like I am one step ahead for other jobs in the development sector."

    - Ashley Fu

  • "The experience has given me a new perspective on everything from washing the dishes to how to address world hunger... I will be returning to the lessons I learned on this trip decades from now."

    - Alexis Suskin-Sperry

  • "The most unique aspect of this program is the opportunity to act on a theory that we had learned. GESI is a unique opportunity to experience how development theories, methodologies and practices actually play out in a community."

    - Lakshmi Ramachandran

  • "I will always treasure my home-stay experience. I became very close with my siblings and loved having a large family. I learned that wherever you are, a family is a family and life is lived day to day."

    - Ellen Abrams

  • "My home-stay was one of the best aspects of my summer. My sisters taught me so much about Ugandan culture as well as life in general. We have grown up on different sides of the world but we may as well as lived next door."

    - Chelsea Christman

  • "Professor Arntson's team building exercises and classes about group dynamics were invaluable. They gave our team the vocabulary and tools to mediate conflicts and make decisions while abroad and helped us understand each other's motivations."

    - Catherine Wu

  • "Our NGO let us work independently, but took co-ownership of our project, which was comforting as we were creating a proposal for them and we required input and feedback to know that our work had a purpose."

    - Elizabeth Montgomery

  • "Being at our NGO was the single best part of the trip. I loved the community, and I loved the people there. It is an amazing NGO that does amazing things. The challenges we faced taught us to overcome obstacles."

    - Alex Grubman

  • "The FSD site team was incredible. I've never worked with such capable, caring, fun people. They made me feel so at home and safe and also really supported us with our NGO."

    - Asha Toulmin

  • "I am very impressed by the commitment and intelligence of the fellow students in GESI. I definitely learned much from them."

    - XinKai Cheng

  • "The diversity of our group made us effective -- while others preferred to work on logistical, behind-the-scenes stuff; some were outspoken, others were more contemplative; some were better planners, some were better at actuating ideas on paper."

    - Abby Hannifan

  • "This program gave new meaning to hands on learning. The background at the institute on development was great, and a week later you were on site attempting to implement what you had learned, and in the process learning far more than you could imagine."

    - Rachel Suffrin

  • "The most unique thing was the amount of exposure we got to the community. I felt like I was a part of it and not just observing it."

    - Bryan Stenson

  • "This experience was absolutely applicable to my personal, professional, academic goals, especially when it comes to approaching development with a realistic perception of how it works on the ground."

    - Elizabeth Montgomery

  • "GESI has helped me mature as a team member and a prospective development worker."

    - C.A.

Health & Safety

Health


Our on-the-ground partners, FSD, Social Entrepreneur Corps, and ThinkImpact, have identified private healthcare providers (doctors, clinics, hospitals) within each community that meet strict standards. These providers have been chosen for their knowledge of foreigner health issues and safe provision of care with past interns. Should any health issues arise, students should immediately notify their FSD/SEC/ThinkImpact site team, who will ensure that they receive the proper medical attention.

In preparation for their time abroad, students should first consult a travel medical clinic, the Center for Disease Control and the U.S. State Department for the latest health requirements and advice. The FSD, Social Entrepreneur Corps, and ThinkImpact pre-departure guides, available on our admitted students page, are a resource for information on necessary vaccinations, medications, and on-the-ground medical care for each country.

As a GESI participant, it is your full responsibility to identify and take all necessary health precautions prior to, during, and following the program. Please start your health preparations early, as some vaccinations must be taken as far as 8 weeks or more before departure. Providing detailed medical advice is beyond the expertise of GESI so it is very important to consult the resources below as well as medical professionals such as your doctor or local travel health clinic. If you need prescription medication, bring an adequate supply for your entire trip. Also bring a copy of the prescription that includes the reason for taking the medication, its generic name, and dosage.

Proof of immunization may be required at multiple GESI sites. In such cases, you must carry an official record of immunization and present it upon entry into the country. Check the resources below for the most updated information on what vaccinations are necessary for your country.

Additional Health Resources

Health Insurance Requirement
Health insurance is required for all students studying abroad on Northwestern University affiliated programs, including GESI. Students must obtain HTH health insurance coverage for the entire period of time they are studying and traveling abroad, regardless of any other coverage they might have from their parents or their home institution (including Northwestern). For reference, the insurance coverage for the entirety of the GESI 2011 program cost $66.64. Students must also submit evidence of that coverage to GESI with their pre-departure forms. To enroll, visit http://www.northwestern.edu/risk/abroad.htm#Enrollment.

Safety

GESI is deeply committed to student safety and well-being, and does not expose participants to unnecessary danger or risk. Our experience in risk assessment and emergency response has enabled us to maximize safety and security.

  • All sites have undergone a vigorous approval process by Northwestern University, GESI, and our on-the-ground partners, Foundation for Sustainable Development, Social Entrepreneur Corps, and ThinkImpact.
  • Students are required to carry medical and emergency evacuation insurance coverage from HTH Worldwide Health Insurance
  • In cooperation with Northwestern’s International Programs Risk Assessment Committee and the University’s Study Abroad Office, GESI rigorously monitors international events that might affect students
  • Our in-country partners provide a mandatory onsite training program upon arrival, and together we have developed comprehensive measures to address health and safety issues that may arise
  • GESI participants live in carefully selected homestays with local families who have typically been hosting our students for years and care about students’ well-being

    • Students will receive in-country emergency contact information prior to going abroad; students can then share this contact information with their families.

    For more information, please visit FSD’s Safety and Security page (Bolivia, India, Nicaragua, and Uganda sites) and ThinkImpact’s FAQ section (South Africa site).

    International SOS Requirement
    All students on Northwestern University affiliated programs, including GESI, must register with International SOS prior to studying abroad. This service provides students with access to an array of health, safety, and other vitally important travel information and email alerts as well as emergency evacuation coverage.

    Photo by Emily Eisenhart

    To Register:

    • 2. Log on to the Members’ Website (left hand side of the homepage) by entering Northwestern’s group account number (11BCAS000003)
    • 3. Click on “Print Card” at the bottom of the page; be sure to carry the SOS wallet card with you at all times
    • 4. After printing the page, return to the International SOS homepage
    • 5. Click on “Personal Travel Record” (in fourth paragraph)
    • 6. Register by clicking on “New User? Register Here”
    • 7. After registering, you’ll receive a message stating that your Personal Travel Locator has been created. You can log into this Personal Travel Locator at any time to add travel itineraries and update your profile.

     

    Communication

    GESI encourages students and parents to discuss how, and how often, they will communicate prior to the start of the program. Depending on the site, GESI participants will either receive a cell phone upon arriving in-country or have the option to purchase a low-cost phone or sim card which can be used in their US cell phone. These phones can be called from the U.S. or can be loaded with money to call the U.S., at the students’ cost. Alumni recommend predetermining a time to call home or to receive a call. Emails are also effective means of communication if students have Internet access. Internet availability varies from site to site. Pre-departure packets will highlight the amount of internet access you can except abroad.