Comments are in from participants on the RVI summer courses. One writes that he was 'inspired by the depth of knowledge’ at the Sudan and South Sudan Course in Kenya. Another notes the ‘passion and dedication to the Sudans’ on the part of the teachers. An ‘impressive amount of information was covered,’ notes a third. At the Great Lakes Course in Bujumbura, ‘the speakers were clearly leaders in their respective fields,’ and represented perspectives from Africa and the West even-handedly, 'side by side'. RVI field courses on the Sudans, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes are intensive, seminar-based events providing a fast track introduction to the history, culture and political economy of the three sub-regions. Teachers include internationally-known specialists, researchers and local activists. Dates and locations for RVI’s 2013 course season will be announced by the end of the year.