FAQs

Frequestly Asked Questions

MAP

Section 1: Network
Section 2: Allowance
Section 3: Student Health Issues and Insurance
Section 4: Employment
Section 5: Banking

Section 1: Network

Scholar question 1 🙋‍♀️: Is this only for top achievers? 🇧🇼

Answer 💡: No. We serve all students, Top Achievers, Elite Sports Scholars, Diplomatic children, Grants scholars, etc. worldwide. You are all welcome here.

Scholar question 1 🙋‍♀️: Is this only for top achievers? 🇧🇼

Answer 💡: No. We serve all students, Top Achievers, Elite Sports Scholars, Diplomatic children, Grants scholars, etc. worldwide. You are all welcome here.

Section 2: Allowance

Scholar question 1 🙋‍♀️: I had a question regarding the winter jacket allowance. Is it only for students within Canada or can students in US also request it?

Answer 💡: Great question. Short answer no, it’s only for Canada 🇨🇦 students as per the current policy. Longer answer, maybe if you propose a change and it’s accepted by DTEF guys a home, you and other students may be able to get it in the future. You can discuss this at the student townhall so you can add it to their proposals officially.

Student question 2 🙋‍♂️: Hey Seabelo, I hope you’re doing well. I have a quick question, if someone is gonna have 100% remote classes next spring and they want to live off campus (with close friends) and also do a spring internship (which is needed for graduation). Are they eligible for off-campus allowance?

Answer: 💡 If you live off campus, you should let Mma know so they can update your scholarship funds. Let them know in advance.

As far as 100% online, that is illegal. You are required to have at least 2 classes in person or hybrid. The rest of the classes can be online.

Consult your PDSO for your specific school’s case. Since COVID receded, the Department of State changed their allowance for having international students online: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimmigrant-students-taking-online-courses-during

Since fall 2022 semester, we want to remind you that the temporary guidance that was in place due to COVID will no longer be in effect, and we will return to standard guidance.  This means:  

* Undergraduate students must register and complete 12 credits (9 credits must be face-to-face or hybrid) 

* Graduate students must register and complete 9 credits (6 credits must be face-to-face or hybrid) 

Note that these are U.S. federal regulations.  These regulations require you to pursue a full course of study during the fall and spring semesters.  There are limited exceptions to the rule that require prior authorization from an international student advisor, including if you are in the last semester of your program, or have been approved for full-time equivalency by your department of study.

Scholar question 3 🙋‍♀️: So if I move off-campus for the winter break, I get off-campus allowance and the $40/ day as meal allowance?

Response 💡 : No you don't. If you are off-campus you only get off campus rate for the no. of days you are off campus. However if you are on campus, but without access to meals, you get $40) day. Remember, to move off campus we require official notifications from the school with specific move-out & move-in dates. Email this verification letter to education@botswanaembassy.org.

Scholar question 4 🙋‍♀️: Hi Seabelo, I understand that next week is Thanksgiving and that schools will be closed for the whole week. I’m on the meal plan at my school and the dining hall is at the school and since it will closed due to thanksgiving how will the embassy help when it comes to meals?

Response 💡 :
🖊️Send an official note from the school.
🖊️The note should indicate exact dates for closure of the dining hall.
🖊️You will be given $40/day as meal allowance

Section 3: Insurance

Student question 1 🙋: Hello, I am aware that we signed a medical release form for the scholarship. Does that mean at any time the embassy has access to our medical records even outside stringent circumstances?

Answer: 💡 Mma Isa: No it doesn't. It only happens when you can't represent  yourself. When all your faculties are functioning the hospital demands that you sign one with their doctors present.

Student question 2 🙋: Hello, I am aware that we signed a medical release form for the scholarship. Does that mean at any time the embassy has access to our medical records even outside stringent circumstances?

Answer: 💡 Mma Isa: No it doesn't. It only happens when you can't represent  yourself. When all your faculties are functioning the hospital demands that you sign one with their doctors present.

Student question 2 🙋: Hello, why is the Embassy slow to respond? 

Answer: 💡 Again, Mma Isa @Mma Isa is trying her best to serve us all as two team members have left, having her do three times the tasks. Many students who she just added missed townhall and some are asking, how do I access my AETNA card. As in the notes Rossy sent us, you will have to log in. We are reposting the recording here so the new students can be on par:

Good afternoon everyone,

Happy Friday!

Please find the recording and the presentation for the scholars attached/below:

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/02juewmbAuiL56at2OjCEmKsqoLQ6mnjuAqz35gvYM_X0mX7hBoIDJBC-GD3E74r.pL8gGnfd9uzi9Eh8?startTime=1665767904000

Passcode: pj8Gami@

Please let us know if you have any questions.

Scholar question 3 🙋‍♀️: Good day Mma Isa, i would like to ask, what exactly is the procedure when we get sick? Do we report to you before going to the doctor or how exactly do we do it? This is just so I know, I am not sick. I need to know this because I have to meet with student advising so they assist me with opting out of the schools medical health insurance since the deadline is already past and i may have to give explanations when they ask how I intend to deal with being sick.

Response 💡 : 1. Each of you should by now be enrolled in a medical insurance by now - either Aetna (enrolled by embassy) or your university policy.

2. If it's too late to waive out, no worries let's talk about it the next waive out window

3. You can only waive out of your university policy if you have enrolled with the embassy policy

4. When you fall sick visit clinics/ doctors recommended by your insurance

5. Avoid Emergency Room (ER) if you can. Urgent care is better because insurance covers 100% 

6. You don't have to ask for permission to visit the doctor. However, we don't mind hearing how you are doing. It's not proper to get a call from Botswana saying, "ke Mmaago Seabelo, I hear he has been in hospital for 2 weeks!" while I am clueless 😥😥

-Kindly let us know how you are doing so that we don't get to answer difficult questions

Section 4: Employment

Student Question 1 🙋‍♀️: Hi i have a question, does pursuing an internship while in undergrad fall under cpt ? USA 🇺🇸 

Answer: 💡 Yeah it does. But be sure not to exceed 365 days coz that might affect your opt in the future. Also check your university policy - Motheo, Scholar

Very good answer @⁨Motheo Thank you!

@⁨Student⁩  you can also get an internship with OPT. Check with your international student advisor today.

✅ Curricular Practical Training (CPT) status allows international students with a F-1 student visa to gain work experience through employment training and paid internship programs directly related to your major area of study. This is approved by your academic advisor so you also get academic credit.

✅ Optional Practical Training (OPT) status allows international students with a F-1 student visa to gain work experience through employment training and paid internship programs directly or indirectly related to your major area of study. This could be an internship during or after study by not for academic credit.

Opt can be pre-or post completion 

🇧🇼 Make sure you consult your international student advisor so you do not violate your visa status ✅ 🚨 👮‍♂️

Section 5: Banking