Sharing the expertise of a world-class university with our partners in Botswana to build capacity and excellence in clinical care, education, and research. Botswana Handbook Updated 6-17-14 Code of Conduct ............................................................................................................................ 6 Things to Remember .................................................................................................................. 7 Who Should Not Go to Botswana .......................................................................................... 7 Who Thrives in Botswana .......................................................................................................... 7 About Botswana .............................................................................................................................. 8 Background .................................................................................................................................. 8 Botswana: Country Statistics .................................................................................................... 8 Location......................................................................................................................................... 8 Climate .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Helpful Tips When Visiting Another Country ...................................................................... 10 Demographics ........................................................................................................................... 10 Nationality ................................................................................................................................... 10 Tribes in Botswana .................................................................................................................... 10 Religion ........................................................................................................................................ 11 Language ................................................................................................................................... 11 Economy ..................................................................................................................................... 11 Customs & Culture ........................................................................................................................ 11 Greetings & Respect ................................................................................................................ 11 Cattle ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Kgotla ........................................................................................................................................... 12 Birth Dates ................................................................................................................................... 12 Body Language ........................................................................................................................ 13 Botswana Time........................................................................................................................... 13 LGBT .............................................................................................................................................. 13 Top Tips for Not Being an “Ugly American” in Botswana .............................................. 13 Holidays ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Additional Resources on Culture ......................................................................................... 14 Notes on Language ...................................................................................................................... 15 Essential Setswana .................................................................................................................... 16 Language Lessons .................................................................................................................... 17 Getting Ready ................................................................................................................................ 17 Preliminary ................................................................................................................................... 17 Making Your Travel Arrangements ...................................................................................... 18 Purchasing a Ticket through a University Account ......................................................... 18 Notify Boipelo Dibotelo of Your Arrival ............................................................................... 19 Ground Transport in the US .................................................................................................... 19 Airport Pick-up ........................................................................................................................... 20 Passports and Visas .................................................................................................................. 20 Immigration ................................................................................................................................ 20 Students traveling for Internships or Study Abroad ..................................................... 20 Medical Students, Residents, Staff & Faculty ................................................................ 20 Immunizations ............................................................................................................................ 21 Malaria Prophylaxis .................................................................................................................. 21 Don’t Swim Except in Manmade Pools .............................................................................. 22 International SOS Medical Care and Evacuation Insurance ...................................... 22 2 Penn’s Global Activities Registry .......................................................................................... 23 ........................................................................................................................................................ 24 How to Dress and What to Pack .......................................................................................... 24 Checked Luggage .................................................................................................................. 25 Books to Read ............................................................................................................................ 25 Communication ............................................................................................................................ 26 Calling Home ............................................................................................................................. 26 Calling to Botswana ................................................................................................................. 27 Calling around Botswana ....................................................................................................... 27 Internet Access .......................................................................................................................... 27 Electricity ..................................................................................................................................... 28 Mail................................................................................................................................................ 28 Money .............................................................................................................................................. 28 Accessing and Converting Money ..................................................................................... 28 Credit Cards ............................................................................................................................... 29 Cost of Living in Botswana ..................................................................................................... 29 Tipping .......................................................................................................................................... 29 Transportation ................................................................................................................................ 29 Taxis ............................................................................................................................................... 30 Combis ......................................................................................................................................... 30 Buses ............................................................................................................................................. 30 Plane ............................................................................................................................................. 30 Travel Agents/Tour Guides ..................................................................................................... 30 Safety ...............................................................................................................................................