The 2012 Innovation Institute runs from June 20 through August 12. This includes an in-country training called ThinkImpact University (TIU), 7 weeks in the rural community and a short debrief in-country at the end of the program.

First Round Application Deadline: December 20, 2011

Second Round Application Deadline: February 22, 2012

Interested students can choose to start by filling out the ThinkImpact Interest Form on our homepage or they can go straight to the 2012 application here: http://bit.ly/qwMy5y. Scholars must submit the online application form along with a current resume. If scholars are selected to move on to the interview round of the application process they will be notified three weeks after the application deadline. Acceptance letters will be sent two days after the interview cycle.

Past Innovation Institute Scholars have come from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. They have been undergraduate students, graduate students and young professionals. They have come a myriad of fields including Engineering, Business, Architecture, International Development, Public Health, Law and Design to name a few. The diversity of our scholars yields a colorful and collaborative environment on the Institute.

Institute tuition for 2012 is $4,550. This includes:

• ThinkImpact University (TIU) pre-institute training program for scholars
• Innovator Kits (including curriculum, written materials, workbooks and gear)
• Room and board for 8 weeks on the program
• One excursion on safari, including tips and incidentals
• All in-country domestic transportation including privately hired drivers, buses and vans
• One ThinkImpact advisor (personnel) living in the village per each group of six scholars
• On-going in-country support from ThinkImpact country staff and US staff
• Country/region specific language lessons
• Community translators
• A weekly newsletter and blog with pictures, video and thoughts from the Institute to be sent to friends and family while scholars are in country
• Post-Institute support and Alumni network opportunities
• 24-hour emergency access

The Innovation Institute tuition excludes:

• International air travel;
• Visa fees;
• International travel and health insurance;
• Additional optional excursions offered 1-2 per Institute;
• Course credit fee to gain 3 units of credit through University of the Pacific Center for Continuing and Professional Education.



For more information about the Northwestern GESI program with ThinkImpact please visit: http://www.gesi.northwestern.edu/

We work hard to make the program affordable for students. We realize that it is still a burden for some to pay tuition, so we provide extensive support with fundraising tools and resources. In the past, several scholars have received funding from university departments related to their majors or that fit with the topics covered throughout the Institute. Other students fundraise the full balance.

We offer accepted scholars access to our online tools as well as individual guidance on hosting events, letter writing, and social media outreach campaigns to raise the tuition money.

No, ThinkImpact does not provide any scholarships. ThinkImpact has partnerships with universities that subsidize the cost of the program for prospective students. For more information on how your University can partner with ThinkImpact, please contact Patrick Keane (patrick@thinkimpact.org).

First Round Selection Deposit ($500) - February 17, 2012

First Round Selection Final Payment ($4,050) - March 30, 2012

Second Round Selection Deposit ($500) - March 30, 2012

Second Round Selection Final Payment ($4,050) - April 27, 2012

Yes! Scholars are responsible for purchasing their own airfare for the 2012 Innovation Institute and are encouraged to plan accordingly. Past scholars have arrived early or extended their stay in country to do some personal travel and networking. However, there will be no time for personal travel during the 8 weeks of the Institute.

Scholars are not allowed to travel on the weekends. They will have the opportunity to explore the country during the Safari and the two optional planned excursions. Optional excursions typically cost $50 each.

The Innovation Institute is a total immersion program and any additional time outside the community hinders cultural immersion and building a notion of shared austerity among community members.

All participants need a passport with at least 2 blank pages to enter Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and South Africa. Scholars will cover all passport and visa costs. American citizens do not need a visa for South Africa or Rwanda. Kenya Visas are issued upon arrival ($40 Cash must be on hand) to Customs and Ghana Visas ($60) must be obtained before departure for the Innovation Institute. All foreign students studying on a J1 or F1 Visa are encouraged to research their country specific entry requirements.

Anti-malaria medication is required for Kenya, Rwanda and Ghana. It is recommended for South Africa. ThinkImpact does not offer any formal medical advice to participants. Please consult a travel clinic or personal physician before leaving for Africa. Malaria medication can have different side effects on different people. Discuss options with your Doctor.

ThinkImpact works in the Kaloleni Sub-location of the Kilifi District in the Coast Province of Kenya. Kaloleni is about a two hours drive outside the East Africa hub and port city of Mombasa. The location is comprised of 43,000 people who identify themselves as members of the Giriama tribe, and they speak Giriama, Swahili and some English. Kilifi district has a population of roughly 282,000 with the largest constituency being Kaloleni.

The Manyeleti communities are located near Mozambique and Swaziland in the northeastern region of South Africa along the Kruger park boarder. These rural communities are six hours east of Pretoria near the border of Mozambique. The people speak Xitsonga and English.

More information about our new communities in Ghana and Rwanda will be available soon.

Stay tuned!

ThinkImpact provides scholars with translators for day-to-day communication in the community. Translators are usually local community members themselves and help provide great insight to daily activities. English is spoken in both South Africa and Kenya, but is less common in Kenya. Pre-Institute intensive language lessons also give scholars the jump-start they need to converse in the local language.

ThinkImpact hires larger vans to transfer the group between larger cities and the communities in which we work. Staff will have access to cars or smaller vans for the duration of the Institute. Scholars will travel mainly on foot for the majority of their time in the community. Walking to school or a meeting is another way our scholars take part in living as a local community member. All staff and scholars are prohibited from taking public transportation or accepting rides from vehicles unaffiliated with the ThinkImpact Company.

No, scholars are not allowed to use public transportation during the 8-week Innovation Institute.

Scholars will need around $300 spending money for the summer. Spending money includes the purchase of optional items such as excursions, cell phone, airtime, souvenirs and personal food or drink treats throughout the summer.

Scholars will have access to an ATM during the pre-Institute training and excursions. It is recommended that scholars plan ahead and take advantage of ATM access when they can. There will be no access to ATMs or banks in the communities.

Host families will vary from scholar to scholar. Most host families will have matriarch and children of varying ages. Some families will feel very “nuclear” with a Mom, Dad and children, while others will be comprised of only women, or younger men. ThinkImpact takes into account a scholar’s gender and background when placing them in homestays for the summer.

Yes! Gift giving is highly encouraged and welcomed by host families. A small gift that represents a piece of where you are from is usually recommended. Calendars, bags, art supplies and t-shirts are typical gifts for host families. Please do not spend more than $20 on a gift item.

Yes, valuables are safe to bring into the community. However it is recommended that valuables, such as expensive electronics and cash, be kept tucked away in luggage when scholars are out for the day. Many past participants have brought computers, cell phones and expensive cameras, just remember to be smart with your belongings. We do not recommend bringing any jewelry.

In South Africa there is electricity in most homestays, but no running water. Bottled water for drinking is provided by ThinkImpact, while cooking and bathing water is collected with homestay families. This will vary among the different homestay families in a given summer. Water in South Africa is safe to drink, however the taste is very different to what we are used to in the US.

In Kenya there is no electricity and no running water. Bottled water for drinking is provided by ThinkImpact, while cooking and bathing water is collected by homestay families. Scholars are encouraged to take part in water collection as part of their Shared Cultural Experiences. ThinkImpact provides homestay families with Waterguard to treat cooking and bathing water.

Scholars will have an opportunity to purchase cell phones and airtime during the in-country training. Cell phones are recommended for safety and communication purposes, but not required. Most community members in Kenya and South Africa have cell phones.

Scholars will have limited to no access to Internet. In-country staff will keep contact with the DC office throughout the Institute. DC staff will maintain a weekly listserv, updating scholar’s family and friends of their progress through the summer.

Scholars spend evenings with host families. This is a time to play with the children, help out with chores and relax after a long day of work. Most nights scholars will choose to be in bed before 10:00 PM. Scholars are not allowed to wander around at night by themselves in the community.

All homestays have a functional pit latrine equipped with toilet paper. Showering/bathing is done in a private outdoor shower using a bucket or inside a designated room within a homestay.

Homestay families will provide breakfast and dinner. ThinkImpact will provide simple lunch materials (PB&J etc.) for scholars to prepare on a daily basis. Any allergy or dietary concerns can be accommodated on the Institute.

Mosquito netting is provided for Kenya scholars; nets are not necessary in South Africa. Scholars should bring a sheet or light sleeping bag to sleep with in the homestay. During the homestay, scholars may share a bed with another scholar of their own gender.

Scholar safety is paramount. While no one can guarantee absolute safety, ThinkImpact has several health and safety measures in place. Day to day life in the communities where we work is safe, but scholars are prohibited from traveling alone at night, when conditions cannot easily be controlled. Community members are very concerned and proactive when it comes to the safety of our Scholars. There is definitely a feeling of community where we work.

Our staff monitors current international political, social, and economic conditions and events in the region. ThinkImpact educates and prepares scholars for travel through conference calls, emails, and pre-departure informational mailings. Scholars receive health and safety instruction during the pre-Institute training in-country. Our staff also registers all scholars with the local U.S. Embassy.

Safety precautions are emphasized daily, concerns are responded to immediately by a staff member, and emergency contacts are distributed before the trip departs. Sexual assault and personal safety for both males and females on the trips is an important concern and though we do not anticipate any such emergencies we will provide students necessary information including what steps to take should any problems arise. If female scholars should ever feel uncomfortable in a homestay or community, the in-country team will take necessary action to ensure scholar safety and comfort.

The Advisors are available to scholars at all times. There is 1 advisor for every 6 scholars. Advisors live in homestays, just as scholars do, taking part in similar immersion activities. The Advisors responsibilities are to guide the scholars through the different phases of the Institute. Daily responsibilities include facilitating discussions, brainstorming with scholars, connecting scholars to community members and ensuring health, comfort and safety throughout the program.

All homestays are within a close proximity of each other, allowing for quick visits or meetings should a scholar have any issues or concerns. It is uncommon for a scholar to go more than a day or two without seeing their Advisor. Moreover, two ThinkImpact staff members –Manager of Logistics and the Country Coordinator/Director – manage the Institute on the ground and are always available to scholars.

ThinkImpact has developed a comprehensive list of criteria that communities within which we live and work must meet. The villages are very safe, quiet, small communities. In the case that a scholar needs to visit a hospital they will be taken to the nearest urban center. There will also be access to local health clinics for small ailments. The in-country team takes all precautions when dealing with injuries and illness.

Yes, scholars are sent a liability waiver with their welcome packets upon acceptance to the program. ThinkImpact is not liable for any illnesses/injuries sustained during the course of this trip. Scholars are responsible for receiving the recommended vaccinations and medications before their departure (a complete list can be found at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, at http:wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx).

Yes, contact information is available upon request. Please email Patrick Keane at patrick@thinkimpact.org.

Absolutely. We are available during regular business hours at 202-657-6616 or you can email Patrick at patrick@thinkimpact.org to set up a time.