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Uganda: Dance Education

Graduate Study Abroad

The University is continuing to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on future travel. In the event that travel is not possible, Steinhardt Global Affairs will work with faculty on a case-by-case basis to explore alternatives.

Learn how to teach, create, and perform dance and build community – through the lens of another culture. You’ll collaborate with professional dancers, musicians, educators, and students from local Universities in Kampala. Take classes in traditional Ugandan dance and drumming, collaboratively learn and create lessons based on best practices of culturally relevant pedagogy, and then implement your group lessons with children from local centers, schools, and community-based organizations. You will take field trips to community centers, important cultural and natural sites, and perform at the National Theatre. 

Deborah Damast

Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Dance Education Program

deborah.damast@nyu.edu

Location:

Kampala, Uganda

Program Dates:

July 16-30, 2023

Application Deadline:

  • Priority Deadline: February 9, 2023
  • Regular Deadline: March 9, 2023*

*Rolling admission continues thereafter on a space-available basis

Who Can Participate:

  • NYU graduate students
  • NYU undergraduate students who have:
    • 96+ earned credits by course start date
    • related coursework
    • approval from the faculty director as well as their advisor
  • Non-NYU graduate students and professionals who are both:
    • U.S. citizens or permanent residents
    • Currently hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.

Related Areas of Study:

  • Childhood Education
  • Dance Education and Performance
  • Educational Theatre
  • International and Global Education
  • Music Therapy

This is not a complete list. We value diverse perspectives in our programs and encourage students from other majors and professions.

Course(s):

Students register for a total of 3 credits and take the following course:

  • MPADE-GE 2520, Section 099 (Class # 4294) - Community Building Through Teaching, Creating, Performing: Dance Education in Uganda (3 credits)

Important Note: All program applicants are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser to determine if and how this course may be applied toward their program requirements and degree completion.

Offered through the Department of Music and Performing Arts

Sample Syllabus

Faculty:

Deborah Damast, Clinical Associate Professor and Director, Dance Education Program.

Accommodations:

Students stay in shared-occupancy housing arranged by the Office of Global Affairs.

Your accommodation arrangements are included in your Housing and Activity Fees.

Group accommodation dates correspond with the program dates listed above.

Costs:

  • Steinhardt Overseas Graduate Tuition Fee (3 credits) - $6,060
  • Graduate Overseas Registration and Services Fees - $687
  • Housing & Activity Fee -  $1,500
  • GeoBlue International Health Insurance - Included

Estimated Direct Cost Total - $8,247

NYU Steinhardt Graduate Study Tuition and Fees are set for the academic year.

Tuition, Housing, and Activity fees will be due based on Bursar's Payment Schedule for the Summer 2023 term.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are responsible for purchasing transportation and airfare to/from the program location. All students participating in the program are required to live in NYU-provided housing.

Students will be notified when to book flights. We recommend comparing tickets on multiple sites to ensure the best fare. Past participants have used the following flight search engines: KayakGoogle Flights, and Student Universe for student rates.

Students are encouraged to budget for study abroad programs based on individual needs. You may use online Cost of Living tools on websites such as NumbeoExpatistan, and Budget Your Trip to budget for your ideal study abroad experience.

Learn about graduate study abroad scholarships and other funding opportunities.

Travel and Visa Information:

Global Affairs will inform participants about pandemic-related travel and entry requirements for their destination. COVID-19 vaccination is required, and testing may also be necessary for departure to and returning from your program destination.

Flight: Students purchase their own international travel to coincide with program dates. All participants are strongly encouraged to purchase refundable flights.

Passport: All program participants are required to have a valid passport, which must be valid at least six months beyond the program end date.

Visa: A valid visa to enter Uganda is required. To apply, you must have: a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining until it expires, 2 fully completed application forms (which can be found at the Ugandan Embassy website), 2 passport-type photos, an International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever, a copy of round-trip airline tickets (or itinerary/letter of confirmation from your travel agent) and a $50 money order for the single-entry visitor visa fee (you may purchase a money order from any US Post Office).

For more information, please visit the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Uganda. When applying for a visa, make sure to apply for the Tourist Visa – not a student visa. (Student visas are a designation for those going abroad for a university semester program.) You should obtain your visa in advance of your departure. To be on the safe side, please submit your application at least 1-2 months before departure. Please be aware that it takes approximately 2 days to receive your visa once you have applied. To download a visa application form, click here

All other passport holders should check their visa requirements on the embassy/consulate website respective of their nationality. For further guidance on visas and other non-immigration matters, contact OGS Outbound Student Services at ogs.outbound@nyu.edu.

Vaccinations: In order to enter Uganda, visitors are required to show evidence of yellow fever vaccination for this mosquito-borne disease endemic to the tropical belt. Students should visit a healthcare provider to determine the medications for vaccine-preventable diseases and other diseases. Make a visit at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for your vaccines to take effect and, if necessary,  to start taking medicine to prevent any illness. The NYU Health Center recommends vaccinations specifically for: Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio Booster, Tetanus (make sure your shot is up-to-date), and Malaria.

In order to best protect yourself from contracting Malaria, it is most important to take anti-malaria medications and to use a strong insect DEET-based repellent. Malarone is a popular anti-malaria medication and must be taken for 2 days before traveling to Uganda. Some individuals have difficulty with Malarone, so be sure to discuss this medication with your doctor prior to usage. We also recommend that you travel with nets and anti-mosquito sprays and wear clothing that covers your entire body at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most abundant. On a separate note, it is important to know that Uganda is referred to as a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For more information about any and all of the above details, please visit the NYU Student Health Center to get more information.

Helpful linksUS State Department, Center for Disease ControlLonely Planet Guide (Uganda).

Weather: In January, temperatures in Kampala typically range from 64° to 84°F, although it is cooler in the mountains. It is also the dry season. Visit BBC Weather to learn more about local weather conditions in Uganda.

Pre-Departure Resources:

Visit the Steinhardt Study Abroad Resources website and get a head start on preparing for your study abroad program experience.

Policies:

Visit the Office of Global Affairs Short-Term Graduate Courses Policies page.

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