When applying please note your preference for the B.Ed practicum.
Program dates
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| September 28, 2014 | Deadline to apply |
| October 1, 2014 | Interview date for placement. You must be in attendance at the interview day for a combination of group and individual interviews. |
| January – April 2015 | Orientation and pre-departure learning sessions (multiple sessions) |
| April 27- May 15, 2015 | International placement |
| Upon return 2015 | ISL post-placement re-entry debrief and public engagement conference |
Eligibility
Open to all B. Ed. UBC Vancouver students (secondary stream)
Program overview
Salama Shield is a partner with UBC International Service Learning programs who has been working in Uganda for 20 years. Salama Shield works with communities in sub-Saharan Africa to address urgent needs in the areas of health, education, microfinance, water supply and food production. The student volunteer teacher placements are nested within a larger collaboration whereby students from various disciplines at UBC are placed in three month internships on projects identified by Salama Shield.
You will work with Salama Shield within their educational programming in Lyantonde, Uganda. Students will work with teachers in various aspects of the program assisting with the inevitable challenges of education in a developing area. You will do this through classroom teaching and planning with the organization staff and educators. You will need to be sensitive to the fact that many youth in this area may come from vulnerable backgrounds and as such you will need to highly collaborate with Salama Shield Programme Management and the teachers to understand both the progress of the class and individual students without making assumptions. Personal student profiles will not be shared unless there is pertinent information that any teacher would need to know.
Student teachers should prepare to be flexible in work hours, some days may include regular classroom teaching, and other days may include breaks during the day and tutoring at the end of regular school hours.
Stand Tall Training Centre is a new partnership with the International Service Learning Program in Kampala, Uganda. The Training Centre is a non-formal education centre for elementary level schooling that provides for children in the community who are unable to attend regular school programs. The student volunteer teacher placements will be to work with the school’s teachers on lesson plans and school activities for the learners.
The school ranges in activities from classroom studies to vocational training. While the school is classifies as a non-formal education institute, it includes the general curriculum to that students can write entrance examinations for secondary school. The school trains students on the care and upbringing of poultry, cows, and pigs, as well as agricultural practices. Other skills such as jewellery making and sewing are also taught. The school is divided into levels that cover the primary education years up to secondary school. It is divided into levels to remove the grade labels for older students that are placed in lower level classes. The school is also split up into families with teachers as parents and learners of students. In these families the leaners participate in school debates, and learning sessions as part of creating a friendly home environment.
You will work with teachers in various aspects of this programming through classroom teaching and planning with the school staff. Student teachers should prepare to be flexible in work hours, some days may include regular classroom teaching, and other days may include breaks during the day and tutoring at the end of regular school hours.
Students from the Secondary Stream should note that this is not a secondary school, but has older students who have been previously unable to complete primary, and are now working on completing their examinations to enter secondary school.
Leading up to your placement (Pre-departure)
The pre-departure learning program is designed to prepare you for an international service learning placement. This will include:
- Pre-departure learning sessions taking place over the academic term leading up to departure
- Creation of a learning and development plan, reviewed with an ISL Advisor
- Participant-led events/ presentations
- Facilitated meetings with your placement team to explore learning topics
Living environment
You will live with host families in modest conditions. In most cases, you will take public transport to and from your placement.
After you’ve returned (Post-placement)
After you’ve returned, you’ll re-group, reflect, and work at unpacking the intensive experience you’ve had. The post-placement activities you will participate in include:
- A full-day to debrief with advisors and peers
- Presentation at a public engagement event
Program cost
We expect the program fee to be approximately $1,900*. Fees include:
- Pre-departure learning sessions
- Room and board
- Transportation to your placement**
- Orientation in Uganda
- Community partner management fee
- ISL project management fee
*Fees may be adjusted before offer. Program costs vary primarily due to cost of living expenses per country and region.
Additional Information
All expenses not covered in program costs are responsibility of the student. Costs not included are airfare, visas, vaccinations, local transportation while in country, and transportation from the project site back to the airport at the end of the placement and personal items and daily incidentals.
Awards
If accepted in to the ISL program you will be automatically assessed for eligibility for the $1,500 International Service Learning Award.
Application Dates
Now accepting applications for the 2015 program. Intake will occur through an application and interview process.
Application deadline
September 28, 2014