Rwanda: Art and Impact

Overview 

Explore how the the arts contribute to social, economic, and health development in a country with a not-too-distant history of genocide. The group will visit with artists and engage in activities at the Inema Arts Center, learn how a community arts center is run and what challenges it faces, visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial, and more.

Highlights and Excursions

• Enjoy hands-on workshops in basketry and cooking.
• Explore Rwanda's culture and history through visits to King's Palace Museum, the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, and the Kimironko Market.
• Safari through Akagera National Park

Info Sessions

• Tuesday, November 26 at 12:30 PM via TEAMs

• Tuesday, December 3 at 5 PM via TEAMs

Program Dates 

Summer 2025: June 2 - June 16, 2025

*Due to international travel, participants should be prepared to depart the US on May 31 or June 1 to ensure they arrive in Kigali on June 2. Students will depart Kigali on June 16, but should anticipate a return to the U.S. on June 17.

Academics

Participants will take 3 credit hours:

• ART 3000J: Criticism in the Visual Arts (3 credit, Foundations: Advance Writing)

Cost  

The program fee for this program includes: Student accommodations, most meals, excursions, airport transportation, and transportation to all program-related activities.

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Undergraduate Student Budget Worksheet Summer 2025 

Items that are not related to the program (ie. additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility

This program is open to both Undergraduate and Graduate students. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy.  

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to submit:

• A copy of their DARs (or unofficial transcript)
• A Personal Statement, where they address the following in 500 words:
  • What most interests you about this program to Rwanda?
  • What is your relationship to the arts?
  • Describe your tolerance for new and/or stressful situations.
  • Describe how you take initiative within groups and your level of dependence/independence within a group.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport   now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country.

U.S. citizens are required to obtain a 30-day tourist visa when entering the country. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries prior to, during, or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program. 

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page or the U.S. Department of State's website for Rwanda

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens  

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations