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Microfinance in Developing Countries:Nepal
Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world. The country has roughly 30 million people surrounded by India and China. Like many other developing countries, rural communities in Nepal rely on microfinance for investment in health, education, business, agriculture, tourism, etc. In that light, you will perform an impact evaluation of the microfinance programs in rural areas of Nepal using local experts from microfinance institutions, local governments, and research organizations to collect and analyze the issue of microfinance through surveys and interviews during five days of community stay in Dhulikhel and surrounding rural communities.
Overview
Location(s) | Kathmandu, Nepal |
Term | Spring 2020 |
Credit |
• ECON 379/679, 3 sh • FIN 379/679, 3 sh |
Class Sessions | Tuesday evenings, 6-8:30 pm, March 17-May 5, 2020 |
Travel Dates |
May 13-28, 2020 |
Housing |
Hotels & Homestays |
Passport | Required |
Visa (for US citizens) | Required |
Program Eligibility
GPA | 2.5 |
Hours completed | 12 |
Student Judicial | Good status |
Grad credit | Yes |
Non-WIU | Yes |
Pre-requisite | None |
Student Year |
Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate |
Entry Requirements
Passport required - Must be valid until December 1, 2020
Visa required for US citizens - You must check
the Nepali Department of Immigration website
for more information and current costs.
Visa cost not included in program cost.
Visa required for non-US citizens.
It is your responsibility to check
the Nepali Department of Immigration website
for more information. Visa cost not included in program cost.
Health Insurance
You must have international health insurance for the time you are on your program. Only two options are approved to meet this requirement:
- WIU student health insurance
- A supplemental policy (Patriot Travel Medical) from International Medical Group (IMG) .
Health Precautions
Walking/mobility - Expect to walk up to 5 miles a day on various surfaces, including uneven terrain, hills, and stairs. It is not consecutive but scheduled throughout the day. You will also be reponsible for moving your own luggage.
Environmental - Highs in the mid-80s and lows near 60; sun protection is strongly recommended. Parts of Nepal are at high altitudes; you should discuss potential effects of traveling to high altitudes with your health care provider. Nepal is located on an active fault zone. A major earthquake and aftershocks occurred in 2015. Stray dogs and monkeys can carry rabies.
Dietary - Some meals are included in the program cost. Contact Kim McDaniel if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
Vaccinations - No vaccinations are required for entry into Nepal. Up to date vaccination recommendations are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website .
Accessibility and accommodation may be very different than that found in the United States. Please
contact the
Disability Resource Center
for questions on the availability of accommodations for your specific situation.
PLEASE NOTE
It is your responsibility to request accommodation from the DRC; faculty and staff are not legally permitted to inquire about such needs. Requests should be made as early as possible so there's sufficient time to arrange accommodations in your location.
Costs & Dates
Estimated Cost* |
$2,500-$3,000 |
Included in the program | Round trip airfare from Chicago, in-country transportation, lodging (double/triple occupancy), entry fees to scheduled sites, some meals |
Application Deadline |
November 10, 2019 |
Payments | |
Application fee |
$75 due December 5, 2019 |
Non-refundable deposit | $1,200 due December 6, 2019 |
Second payment | $1,000 due January 31, 2020 |
Final payment* |
$400 due February 28, 2020 |
* Costs are subject to change based on student enrollment
WIU reserves the right to adjust the cost or arrangements of this program due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond the University's control. For details about this or individual withdrawals, see Cancellations and Withdrawals.
Important Dates
Passport copy deadline: January 31, 2020 Failure to meet this deadline will result in removal from the group flight and possible increased costs.
Pre-departure meeting: TBA, Spring 2019
Academics
Credit offered
ECON 379 - Counts as an upper-division elective for ECON majors/minors
ECON 679 - Counts towards completion of a MA in Economics
FIN 379 - Counts as an upper-division elective for FIN majors/minors
FIN 679 - Counts towards completions of Master of Business Administration
Please check with your academic advisor for more information on how this Course fits your specific academic needs.
Objectives/activities
- Understand global systems by focusing on the economic issues faced by Nepal
- Gain hands on experience in the study of local communities, their economic systems, the challenges facing them and how microfinance is helping them
- Study the impact of microfinance programs in rural areas of Nepal through field observations and data collection
- Visit local schools, hospitals and government agencies to learn about other economic aspects of Nepal
Class sessions
Active class participation, including contribution to discussions and attendance, is expected in all phases of the Course. Students are responsible for completing pre-departure assignments including readings and discussion participation, attendance and active participation during on-site visits, guest lectures and activities, and post-return assignments. Questions about course content should be directed to Dr. Shankar Ghimire .
APPLY NOW
Contact Us
Kim McDaniel
For Faculty Led
kd-mcdaniel@wiu.edu
Horrabin Room 8
309-298-2504
Dr. Shankar Ghimire
Faculty leader
sp-ghimire@wiu.edu
Stipes Room 430
309-298-1153
Information Sessions
All scheduled information sessions have already taken place. For more information about this course, please contact Dr. Shankar Ghimire or Kim McDaniel with any questions.
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