University of Washington, Bothell’s Dr. Leslie Ashbaugh will be leading an Exploration Seminar to Zambia, Africa, in August.

The University of Washington’s Exploration Seminars are international study programs that allow students to develop knowledge, skills and sensitivities that help them become effective contributors to our global community.

Dr. Ashbaugh and 16 UW students will spend one month in Zambia to assess the strategies and practices of contemporary development projects that focus in areas of education, health and the environment. Students will work in groups of four to collaborate, visit and participate in these ongoing development programs.

Says Dr. Ashbaugh, “My goal is to introduce the students to the challenges of development work in countries with large economic challenges like Zambia. I hope they will have a deeper respect for the challenges that are faced by Zambians, make a few friends along the way, and return to the Pacific Northwest with a better sense of how they can contribute to global changes and challenges.”

The group will spend 10 days in the capital city of Lusaka, 10 days in Katete at the Tikondane community center and 10 days in the rural Eastern Province. The group will also be able to participate in the Eastern Province’s paramount chief’s annual Kulamba ceremony on Aug. 28.

Dr. Ashbaugh currently teaches in the Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Program at UW-Bothell. Her research interests include Africa, gender, race and class differences, labor and the global community.