Uganda: Public Health in the Tropics Internship Summer 2021
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Uganda: Public Health in the Tropics Internship Summer 2021
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COUNTRY OVERVIEW......................................... 3
GENERAL INFORMATION ................................ 3
CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY............................ 3
DIET .................................................................. 3
SAFETY, SECURITY, AND HEALTH.................. 4
ACCOMMODATIONS ........................................ 4
TRANSPORTATION .......................................... 4
COMMUNICATION ............................................ 4
PHONES AND E-MAIL....................................... 5
MAILINGS ......................................................... 5
MONEY ............................................................. 5
VISITORS AND FREE TIME .............................. 7
PACKING GUIDELINES ............................................... 8
LUGGAGE......................................................... 8
CLOTHING GUIDELINES .................................. 8
EQUIPMENT ..................................................... 8
COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS ..... 8
GIFTS................................................................ 9
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT OBTAIN IN
COUNTRY......................................................... 9
ALUMNI CONTACTS ......................................... 9
PACKING LIST ........................................................ 10
SIT Study Abroad - 2
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 5/12/2021
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
GENERAL INFORMATION CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHY
Uganda is located in East Africa with a total area of Uganda lies astride the equator but due to inland
241,548 Km2. It is well endowed with national elevations and winds coming off of Lake Victoria,
resources, such as rivers, lakes, mountains, and the weather is surprisingly temperate and similar to
waterfalls. It lies across the equator and two-thirds that of California. The main rainy season is during
April and May with a second and lesser one in
of the country is plateau. Uganda borders Sudan in
October and November. The dry season is typically
the north, Kenya in the east, Tanzania and Rwanda December to February and June to August.
in the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) in the west. Jinja is about 4,000 feet above sea level. Because
English and Swahili are the country’s official of its elevation, the weather occasionally gets chilly
at night. Another notable development is the rising
languages but the population, which is made up of
of the water levels of Lake Victoria since July 2020.
approximately eighty-six ethnic groups, speaks four The rise has also impacted River Nile and other
different languages, with many dialects that are water bodies. The rise has been attributed to human
unique to the ethnic groups. Uganda’s main activities but could also be a noticeable trend
economic sectors are agriculture and tourism but resulting from climate change.
may soon include oil mining. The government is
headed by President Museveni who has ruled
Uganda for thirty-five years. The legislature is
DIET
democratically elected and serves for five years. SIT Study Abroad provides experiential learning
opportunities where students become embedded in
Currently, Uganda’s ninth parliament has three
their host community. As such, we strive to
hundred and sixty-five members, headed by the first
accommodate serious food allergies where possible
female speaker of parliament. Ugandans are very but simply cannot ensure that all dietary restrictions
friendly, hospitable and hardworking. They will or non-medically mandated diets can be
warmly welcome you to their country and into their accommodated.
homes.
Students are encouraged to participate in the local
food culture as a central aspect of daily life. By
SIT Study Abroad - 3
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 5/12/2021
trying to replicate your diet at home you may miss information on how to avoid exposure to common
out on an important part of your host culture. Due to carriers of disease.
the unique living and learning community central to
all SIT programs, we cannot separate food and Students are thoroughly briefed on safety
eating communally from the program experience. considerations during in-country orientation and are
Communal gatherings are very carefully monitored updated throughout the semester if and when
to ensure that they abide by the Ministry of Health circumstances change. For information regarding
Standard operating procedures. Please consider safety and security, emergency communications,
local diet seriously when selecting your program of SIT policies, accident and illness insurance, and
choice. Your admissions counselor is a great general program tips, please read the Safety,
resource in better understanding the local diet. Security, and Health document and Student
Handbook.
Ugandans’ mealtimes vary from home to home but
the average mealtimes are as follows; breakfast is
served between 6:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., lunch is ACCOMMODATIONS
served between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., and dinner When you arrive in Uganda, you will initially stay at
between 8:00pm and 10:30 p.m. Should you require a modest hotel in Entebbe (historically the first
a different mealtime, you will need to work with the capital city). Thereafter, you will move to Jinja to the
hotel staff to organize this with the help of your SIT hotel where we will be staying. During the program,
staff. Some staple diets include plantain bananas there will be a brief excursion to Northern Uganda.
and millet bread. Vegetarians are well catered for in During these excursions, the program will also stay
Ugandan hotels because of the inexpensiveness of at modest hotels or guest houses. During the the
food and availability of many vegetarian dishes. program, living arrangements will be in Jinja at a
hotel that the program has designated for its
activities. While SIT typically houses students with
homestay families, we are unable to provide these
arrangements during the summer 21 program due to
COVID-19.
TRANSPORTATION
During the program you will use program-
designated transport (mini-buses) during your
commute from home to the internship site.
Uber is available in Uganda as well as other local
taxis systems. Uganda’s transport system does not
have a website or an information platform where
such information can be obtained readily. Travel on
SAFETY, SECURITY, AND the taxi is not timed, so you have to wait until the
HEALTH taxi is full for you to start your journey. After a brief
Maintaining good health is critical to having a introduction to the taxi system by staff and the
successful semester. To help you do that, we have homestay, you will be expected to use the taxis on
provided Health Guidelines and Requirements for your own. Group travel is going to be the most
your program. common during program and excursions.
It is very important that you read the Health COMMUNICATION
Guidelines and Requirements document as early as
While you may want to be in regular communication
possible and examine it with your medical provider.
with friends and family from home during the term
The guidelines include recommended
abroad, please bear in mind that different time
immunizations; a suggested calendar f or
zones, unreliable phone lines, and changing
immunizations and other prophylaxes; and valuable
program activities can complicate communication.
SIT Study Abroad - 4
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 5/12/2021
recommended that you choose one that is cheap
It’s important to be clear with family and friends but that also covers a wide range of the country. On
about your availability during the term and it is each of these networks you will be able to call the
advisable to share your schedule (provided to you US at different rates, but it is strongly recommended
during orientation) so they can get in touch when that families and friends call you unless it is a
you are available. WhatsApp, email and direct calls personal emergency. Remember, while making
are by far the best forms of communication. You your calls, there will be significant time differences
should also consider the impact of constant
between Uganda and your home.
communication with friends and family at home on
your cultural immersion.
MAILINGS
Unlike receiving a package here in the US, receiving
PHONES AND E-MAIL a package at your program site is usually
As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and expensive and problematic. Customs agents must
security, all students are required to have a working inspect all packages and you, as the recipient, are
smart phone capable of making and receiving both responsible for duty and storage fees. In addition,
local and international calls throughout the duration there are cases of items being lost in the mail or
of the program. For that purpose students are taking so long to reach the recipient that the
required to either (a) bring an open, unlocked smart recipient is nearly back in the US by the time the
items are received. For these reasons, sending
phone from the U.S. to the program that is able to
packages should be done only for emergency
accept a local SIM card, and is compatible with and
situations. Additionally, sending valuables is highly
usable at the program location, (b) work with the
discouraged.
academic director within the first week upon arrival
in country to purchase a smart phone locally, (c) For this program, DHL and FedEx services are
bring a dual SIM smart phone, or (d) bring a smart available in country. Despite cheaper prices,
phone with an international plan. During orientation, reliance on the US Postal Service is not advised due
with assistance from SIT Study Abroad staff, to delays and unreliability. When given the option,
students will learn how to use their cellphone, how it’s always a good idea to send packages certified
to purchase and use an appropriate local SIM card, and with a tracking number that allows the sender to
and how to acquire minutes for calls and track the package.
texting. SIT Study Abroad requires that each
student have a local number for communication with Posted letters and packages should be sent to the
the homestay family and program staff. following address:
While we recognize that alternative communication Student Name
methods can be free or cheaper than cell service i.e. SIT/World Learning
Facetime, Skype, WhatsApp, etc. those programs Resource Center
alone do not satisfy our need for regular P.O. Box 23431
communication with the local program staff and Plot 107, Buganda Road
partners, nor do they meet our emergency Wandegeya, Kampala,
communication needs. Therefore, local cellular Uganda
capacity on each student’s phone is required for the
duration of the program. Students are required to
maintain a minimum amount of phone credits at all MONEY
times for emergency calls. Full compliance with this
In addition to tuition, SIT Study Abroad program
policy is expected. fees cover room and board throughout the program.
Uganda has a well-developed public and privatized When room and/or board are not taken with the
telephone system that has seven telephone outputs. group, students will be given a stipend to cover
related expenses. SIT will cover daily commuting
Uganda Telecom Ltd, Mango, Airtel, Mobile
costs, if any, and excursions that are part of the
Telecommunication Network (MTN), Smile, and
normal program itinerary. During the ISP/internship,
Orange. These different companies are highly students will receive a stipend for basic room and
competitive, therefore if purchasing a phone, it is
SIT Study Abroad - 5
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 5/12/2021board only, based on the cost of living at the program, please check the expiration dates on your
program base. Any domestic travel, interpretation cards to ensure that they will not expire while you
services, or supplies necessary for the are abroad. It is also very important that you make
internship are the students’ responsibility. photocopies of all your debit/credit card information
Please plan accordingly. and leave them with someone you trust in case your
card(s) is/are lost or stolen.
Uganda’s local currency is “Shillings” and will be the
main medium of transaction. It is only in big hotels Following are suggestions for spending money
that other currencies such as US dollars will be during the program, including estimates for
accepted. The Ugandan shillings come in coins of textbooks, internship-related expenses, medical
50, 100, 200, and 500 and paper money in 1000, expenses, personal spending, and gifts. Figures are
2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, and 50,000 based on recent student evaluations, though
individual spending habits vary widely and these
denominations. It is important that you familiarize
costs are averages.
yourself with this local currency as there are
different notes of the same value that come in A suggested total amount of money to budget is
different colors. The rate of exchange will vary around US$730. Please examine your spending
greatly given the international money market, so habits during a typical semester at your home
keep up to date with these rates before you change school and consider any exceptional expenditures
your money. you may have on the program, including travel costs
or a specific personal expense. Please be aware
Cash (particularly in US$50 and US$100 that past students have found that usage of internet
denominations) is easier to exchange and gets a and wifi services beyond the basics provided by SIT
better rate, but it cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. for your academic use can drive up personal
Smaller cash denominations fetch lower rates than spending costs significantly.
the larger bills. Bills issued before 2006 may not be
accepted in many places. Traveler’s checks are no Check current exchange rates:
longer accepted. http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/
A Visa or MasterCard debit card is usable at some Please budget approximately:
banks, however, the charges for each withdrawal
are high. In the event that a Visa card is lost, you
Personal spending (from past
will be required to organize a temporary transfer of
student suggestions): $200
money to you via Western Union or Money Gram as
you wait for the replacement of the card.
Books, printing, supplies: $50
Students who intend to stay in Uganda after the
program may open a bank account but this must be Bottled water: $80
a bank recommended by their bank in the US. We
provide basic secure places to keep money and we Up-front medical costs: $100
also encourage homestay families to provide
Potential ISP/internship travel
students with safe storage places. $150
expenses:
If using a debit and/or credit card, you should
Visa: $50
contact your bank and/or credit card companies
regarding your travel plans. If you don’t inform these Typical Internet and phone
companies that you will be away, they will often $100
usage:
assume the card has been lost or stolen and will put
an immediate hold on the card. You should also Estimated total: $730
check on costs of withdrawal, as these costs vary
and can sometimes be very expensive. Renewing
and receiving reissued credit and debit cards while
on the program will be an expensive and highly
inconvenient process. Before you leave for your
SIT Study Abroad - 6
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 5/12/2021During the program, students follow an intense
VISITORS AND FREE TIME schedule of classes and field-based learning
SIT strongly discourages and will not provide assignments. Free time for pursuing an independent
support for any visitors to students during the interest or hobby during the program will be limited.
term, due to the rigorous nature of the program and Your admissions counselor can advise you about
the disruption that such visits cause in program flow particular interests you may have. For example, if
and group dynamics. Students should be sure that you must keep in shape for your next athletic
relatives and friends are aware of this policy and season, or if you play a musical instrument and want
that visits are scheduled for dates after the formal to know whether to bring it, we can help you to
conclusion of the program. Students will not be understand your schedule and any concerns or
excused from program components to attend to limitations that may exist. Please note that you will
visitors. See the Attendance and Participation not have a long break during the program.
section of the Student Handbook.
SIT Study Abroad - 7
Country Overview and Packing Guidelines 5/12/2021Smart-looking casual wear is often recommended
PACKING GUIDELINES during the Internship time and site visits to places
such as parliament, health centers and offices of
non-governmental organizations. During excursions
LUGGAGE we dress a little more freely given the hardships of
Please pack lightly and include only necessary travel so jeans and pants below the knee are
items. You should be able to carry all your luggage suitable. Shoes to be worn will depend on the
significant distances on your own. Try to minimize nature of activities and weather but in most cases,
both the number of bags and weight of your bag(s)
open-toe shoes are allowed. However, for official
since you will likely be acquiring more belongings
travel and site visits we recommend closed-toe
while abroad.
shoes. Night temperatures tend to drop at higher
Usually only one carry-on is permitted on the plane: elevations, at which the program will spend some
we recommend a small daypack, which will also be time. Therefore, you will need a light coat or fleece,
useful for short excursions when on the program. In and waterproof rainwear. Plan to buy any new
addition, it’s recommended that students bring a clothing you need once you are in Uganda. This will
medium-sized camping backpack and another be further discussed on arrival.
medium-sized piece of luggage that is easy to carry.
When packing, ensure that your electronic items are
stored safely as luggage sometimes is thrown about
EQUIPMENT
by airline staff or may fall during the excursions. The Bring one or two small combination locks for the
program cannot replace broken equipment and it is zippers of your luggage, a bottle opener, and a
your responsibility to ensure its safety. travel alarm clock. You will need a small flashlight
and past students have highly recommended
If carrying prescription medications, you should
bringing a headlamp as your flashlight. A mini-
carry a letter from your doctor to prevent any
Maglight held by a headband, available at Campmor
concerns at customs or in transit. (Please see the
or at other outdoor stores in the U.S., is one cheap
“General Health Tips” section in the Safety,
solution. Bring plenty of extra batteries. In addition,
Security, and Health pre-departure document.) you should bring a lightweight sleeping bag or bed
Please check the current requirements of the sheet to use from time to time while on excursions.
Transportation Security Administration You need not bring a mosquito net because they
(http://www.tsa.gov) as well as those of the airline are available and very inexpensive in Uganda,
on which you are flying for domestic and about US$10-US$15.
international baggage restrictions.
Should you have a preference of nets, visit Travel
CLOTHING GUIDELINES Medicine, Inc., which has several good models
Ugandans dress conservatively and are often available. If you choose to buy a mosquito net in
stylish. The clothes that you bring should all be Uganda, you can purchase one that has been
washable and breathable, preferably drip-dry cotton treated with Permethrin, a chemical that repels
and cotton-blends. Note that depending on where mosquitoes, or you can purchase an untreated
you are going or what you are doing, it is expected mosquito net.
that you dress in a culturally appropriate manner.
During lectures, you will be expected to wear simple
but tasteful dresses, skirts, shirts, trousers/pants COMPUTERS AND OTHER
and have your hair properly combed or brushed. Do ELECTRONICS
not bring sloppy clothes or clothes with immodest It is strongly recommended that you bring a laptop
pictures or writing on them. Revealing clothing and computer. If you bring a laptop, the computer will be
very informal clothing, such as tank tops, are not your personal property and responsibility. It is
acceptable. recommended that you insure your computer, smart
phone or other valuables for full coverage in the
event of loss or theft. SIT is not responsible for any
SIT Study Abroad - 8
Flight, Passport, and Visa Information 5/12/2021duty tax you may have to pay when you enter the recorders will be useful especially during
country, theft, or loss. Independent Study Project time. The program will
provide students with mobile phones during their
Previous students on the Development Studies stay in Uganda.
program have found it convenient to bring their own
laptops. If you choose to bring one do not entrust it
to any stranger as this has often resulted in theft. GIFTS
Do not pull out your laptop in the taxi, bus or during As you might imagine, it is best to be prepared with
travel in general because this attracts pick- a gift to offer your people who help you during the
pocketers and thieves. Although SIT will provide a program. Think about what your city, state, or local
secure place for you to lock up your laptop and artisans produce. Draw upon your personal interests
other valuables at the resource center during the or hobbies for ideas. Pack a couple of small gifts for
day, you are still responsible for the safety of all children, such as small games, bubbles, or a
your belongings. You will also be responsible for Frisbee for the children at the health center where
arranging to store your laptop in a secure place
internships will be conducted or children’s home that
while on excursions, should you choose to bring
the students will visit.
one.
Here are some additional suggestions: maps of the
SIT will provide you with a wireless modem with world or U.S., CDs (R&B, Hip Hop, Country music,
which you can access internet. The modem will be
Rap music, and other American music), DVDs and
loaded with access time that should last until the
magazines, especially ones with interesting photos
end of the semester depending on your usage.
Otherwise if it runs out, you’ll need to use the (Time, People, Sports Illustrated, or music and teen
services of an Internet cafe in Jinja. magazines).
Students will be required to print out their word- WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT
processed assignments. Any subsidiary printing that OBTAIN IN COUNTRY
is not required by the program will be the
Personal items such as preferred tampons, sanitary
responsibility of the students. The program provides
a printer and will only have prints of assignments napkins, contact solution, deodorants and face
and required materials. Alternative or personal wash are available, but they may be difficult to find
printing can be done at Internet cafes. During and somewhat expensive. Plan to bring hand
internship time, please note that printing will only be washable clothes, which will make your hand
reserved for the final paper. Printing resources washing much easier. If you wear glasses or
available to the students should therefore be used contacts, bring an extra pair. Be sure to pack
sparingly throughout the program. enough contact lenses and solution for the whole
semester. Bring your prescription, just in case.
Please see the following website for information
about electricity, voltage and electrical adapters. ALUMNI CONTACTS
https://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity / . If you have further questions, please contact your
admissions counselor and/or ask an alumni contact:
Before you leave, it is up to you to research the
necessary adaptors, plugs, and wattage variations. http://studyabroad.sit.edu/admitted-
Power goes out unexpectedly in Kampala and this students/contact-a-former-student/.
poses a great risk to electronics. Students are
therefore advised to bring power stabilizers to
protect their equipment. Also, make sure you come Don’t miss the Packing List on the next page!
with the necessary adaptors and converters.
These packing guidelines are based on suggestions
Portable music players, such as iPods and CD from past students and your academic director.
players, are recommended for students to bring.
However, students will be responsible for the
security of their equipment. Digital and cassette
SIT Study Abroad - 9
Flight, Passport, and Visa Information 5/12/2021PACKING LIST
o Malaria Prophylaxis (bring enough for the entire
General semester)
o Allergy medicine
o 1 pair of nice shoes o Dental floss
o Supportive tennis shoes or walking shoes (optional) o Tissue packs
o 1 pair of comfortable sandals or flip-flops o Sanitary items (e.g. pads, tampons, diva cup, etc)
o Light jacket or waterproof windbreaker
o Medium-weight wool/polar fleece sweater (for cool
nights) Other Important Items
o 1 “workout” outfit (could include T- o Lightweight sleeping bag or bedsheet for
shirt/CONSERVATIVE shorts for jogging/sports and excursions
sports bras) o Student ID from your home college/university
o 6-12 pairs of socks o Daypack or book/shoulder bag
o Underwear (1-2 week supply) o Light raincoat—something that folds up small
o 2 pair of jeans for weekend wear o Water bottle
o 4-7 pairs business casual pants, khakis, skirts, o Sturdy folding umbrella
dresses, capris. Darker clothes/pants are easier to o Towel
clean! o Extra pair of glasses/contacts if you wear them
o 1-2 pairs of comfy pants/jeans/shorts o Money belt large enough for passport and money
o 5-7 light fabric blouses/short-sleeved shirts/collared o Extra batteries for all electronic items
shirts (with one tie) for business casual o Flash drive
o 1 swimsuit (one-piece suits recommended) o Converters/adapters
Travel Documents Optional
o Passport o Granola bar/energy snacks
o Yellow WHO Card (see the Safety, Security, and o Pocket sewing kit
Health document for more information) o Sunglasses, if you use them
o Two photocopies of your passport stored o Flashlight/headlamp
separately from your actual passport o Camera and batteries or charger
o Photocopy of visa o U.S. postage stamps (to send letters back to U.S.
with departing travelers)
Health/Toiletries o Granola bars/energy snacks
o Powdered drinking mix
o Medication/prescriptions used regularly o Travel pillow
o Good quality thermometer (for taking your o Kindle reader
temperature) o MP3 player or iPod
o Aspirin or other pain reliever, cold o Flashlight/head lamp
medication/decongestant
o Anti-diarrheal medicine/laxatives
o Eye drops and eyewash
COVID-19 P.P.E
o Contact lenses o At least 3 reusable masks* and gloves for personal
o Travel sickness medicine if you are prone to motion protection (disposable masks will also be available)
sickness o Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
o Sunscreen/solarcane spray and Aloe Vera for use when soap and water is not readily
o Band aids/antiseptic/antibacterial cream available
o Deodorant o Anti-bacterial wipes or solution to wipe down high-
o Soap and shampoo touch surfaces, especially while traveling from the
o Mosquito repellant (two bottles) US
o Vitamin supplements (if you take them)
o Hand wipes and/or antibacterial hand wash
SIT Study Abroad - 10
Flight, Passport, and Visa Information 5/12/2021*Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around ef f ectiveness of face shields is ongoing but is unknown at
others. Masks help reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 this time).
both by close contact and by airborne transmission. Masks
must have two or more layers of washable, breathable
f abric. Do not wear f ace shields alone (evaluation of the
SIT Study Abroad - 11
Flight, Passport, and Visa Information 5/12/2021You can also read
