Location

During the Peace and Conflict Studies in the Lake Victoria Basin summer program, participants study in both Uganda and Rwanda.  Students arrive in Kampala and spend about three weeks in Uganda, taking classes on conflict theory and visiting non-governmental organizations (NGO’s).  Then the program moves to Rwanda for two approximately two weeks, where students learn more about the country, the genocide of 1994, and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ITCR) for the prosecution of offenses committed in Rwanda during 1994.  The program concludes in Arusha, Tanzania, where students reflect on their experiences and visit the ITCR in person.

Uganda is located in east Africa, surrounded by Tanzania and Rwanda to the south, Zaire to the west, Sudan to the north, and Kenya to the east. Named by Winston Churchill as “the pearl of Africa,” Uganda is filled with breathtaking landscapes. Uganda is home to national parks, extensive savannahs and to a rich and diverse wildlife habitat. Thanks to regular rainfall, regions of dense tropical rainforests flourish, filled with unique vegetation and birdlife. Lake Victoria, the world’s 2nd largest fresh water lake, covers most of Uganda’s southwestern boundary. The lake supports vast wetlands and allows for unlimited supply of fresh water. Lake Victoria is also the source of the famous river Nile. Uganda’s beautiful rolling mountains and turbulent rivers create amazing waterfalls and present spectacular scenic views.

The capital city of Kampala is a rapidly growing, cosmopolitan city of over a million people. Situated in the central region of the country, just 26 miles from the equator and on the shores of Lake Victoria, this city is in many ways the center of Uganda. Like any other modern city, Kampala is full of hustle and bustle. Kampala’s markets abound and are an experience not to be missed.

Rwanda is a small country near the center of Africa and just south of the equator, bordering Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Congo.  Kigali is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated in the center of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence from Belgium in 1962.  The Rwandan genocide began in Kigali in April 1994.  Although damaged, the city's structure has recovered.

Program of Study

The School for International Training (SIT) runs the Peace and Conflict Studies summer seminar, usually from mid June to late July.  This program examines the historical, political, and social dimensions of the conflicts of the Lake Victoria Basin.  Working with local non-governmental organizations, students study the issues and challenges of peace building; they visit refugee camps and internally displaced people’s camps where they examine challenges facing the region and the actions being taken in response to the problems.

After arriving in both Uganda and Rwanda, the first week in those countries consists of classroom discussions, readings, and lectures focusing on history, contemporary politics, and the role of the state. Excursions to carefully selected sites, introductory language instruction, and homestays with local families complement studies.

University of Notre Dame students may enroll in the seminar for Political Science or Peace Studies credit.  This coursework will be recorded on the student’s transcript and calculated into the GPA.

Eligibility for the Program

Students may apply for program during their sophomore or junior years.  The application deadline is November 15, much earlier than most of the summer programs offered through the University.  Applicants must be in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.

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