Zimbabwe is a landlocked country with 10 provinces. The country was once home to one of the most prolific and
prosperous medieval kingdoms in sub-Saharan Africa, indicating its rich precolonial history. It is believed to have
gained its name from one of two possible Shona origins – dzimba dze mabwe (‘great stone houses’) or dzimba woye
(‘esteemed houses’), the likes of which can be seen to this day at the stone ruins of Great Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe was
colonized by the British in the late 1800s and gained its independence in 1980, and the country has since endured
many challenges, both socio-economic and environmental. In the face of these hardships, Zimbabweans have shown
immense innovation and resilience. While much of the population lives in communal rural areas and practices a
traditional subsistence agricultural lifestyle, there is an ever-growing urban population, most notably in the country’s
capital city, Harare.

This program aims to examine the multifaceted aspects of sustainability and development in Zimbabwe. Participants
will explore the diverse approaches taken by individuals, communities, and organizations such as the Pristine Victoria
Falls Society, which operates at the intersection of conservation and community development in an area grappling
with the effects of urbanization alongside successful sustainability initiatives. During the program, participants will
investigate elements of leadership, recycling, conservation, wellness, food systems, and public health, engaging with
local change makers to sharpen their critical thinking skills in real-world contexts. 

The WFU/Zimbabwe: Exploring Sustainability & Community Development CBGL Program is based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Students on this program will enroll in CGS 154, a 1 credit Community Based Global Learning course for the spring semester. The course will meet weekly focusing on understanding community based global service engagement in a global context. The course introduces students to theoretically-based issues and skills needed for understanding and interacting with people from cultures different from their own. 

More housing information coming soon.   

NOTE: All students participating in the WFU/Zimbabwe program are required to live in program-provided housing. Housing accommodations you may have on campus do not automatically transfer to abroad and certain housing accommodations (single rooms and private bathrooms, for example) may not be available.

All students on this program will engage in community visit, service opportunities, and a few cultural “can’t miss” Zimbabwe experiences.

Most successful applicants have a GPA of 2.5. Students must also be in good academic standing with the university to participate in the program. 
 

More cost information coming soon.

More scholarship information coming soon.

Passport Information
Students need to check their passport’s expiration date and ensure that it will be valid for at least 6 months after the program’s end date.

Students going on a spring short-term program need to make sure their passport is valid through at least late November of the same year.

US passport holders who need to renew their passport should visit the U.S. Department of State’s passport website for information on this process.

Non-US passport holders who need to renew their passport should refer to their home country’s passport office.

Visa Information
If you are a US citizen, you most likely will not require a visa for your spring short-term abroad program. If you do, details will be shared with you by GPS. Non-US passport holders should check with their host country’s embassy or consulate to find out if a visa is required for their program or not.

Kylie Holloway (she/her)
Center Coordinator, Global Programs and Studies
Reynolda 116
Phone: (336) 758 4201
E-mail: hollowk@wfu.edu

Jessica Francis (she/her)
Executive Director, Global Abroad
Reynolda Hall 116
Phone: (336) 758 3890
E-mail: francija@wfu.edu