The Intellectual Life fellowship is guided by the timeless wisdom of A.G. Sertillanges and his book The Intellectual Life. The fellowship is more than just a reading group or a study skills workshop. It’s a guided journey through the book, explored chapter by chapter, alongside practical exercises and meaningful conversations designed to help you internalize its wisdom. The fellowship fosters a deep and reflective approach to learning, helping you engage purposefully with whatever you study. It emphasizes the cultivation of intellectual virtues along with practical habits for self-awareness, clear thinking, and living with purpose.

This fellowship is for undergraduate students who are ready to grow—whether you already think deeply about your learning or are simply curious about how to become a more thoughtful, reflective, and purposeful learner. You don’t need to consider yourself a philosopher or an academic; this is about developing habits of mind that enrich both your learning and your life. Together, we’ll explore practical ways of thinking that help shape intellectual character, focus, and clarity.

• Intellectual Vocation - Understanding the calling to intellectual life and the discipline it requires.

• Virtues of the Intellectual Life - Cultivating humility, perseverance, sincerity, and integrity in your learning.

• Solitude and Reflection - Learning the power of quiet, contemplation, and mental discipline.

• Study and Research - Building effective study habits, curiosity, and structured inquiry.

• Organizing Thought and Writing - Using structured thinking and writing to refine and express ideas clearly.

• Independent Thinking - Learning to think critically and avoid passive acceptance of ideas.

• Interdisciplinary Learning - Drawing from diverse fields to develop a broad and enriched perspective.

• Intellectual Life in Society - Understanding the role of intellectuals in serving society and the common good.

• Lifelong Learning - Sustaining curiosity, discipline, and growth throughout life.

• A Chapter-by-Chapter Journey Through The Intellectual Life
  The fellowship is guided by The Intellectual Life by A.G. Sertillanges. We move through the book chapter by chapter, using it as the foundation for reflection, discussion, and practical application.

• Live Online Discussions
  Fellowship sessions happen weekly through live online evening sessions running after the regular university timetable to ensure it does not disrupt students’ academic schedules. These sessions create space for meaningful conversations—exploring ideas, asking questions, and connecting the text to your studies and life.

• Reflective Exercises
  Each chapter is paired with simple exercises and prompts designed to help you pause, reflect, and integrate the lessons into your daily routines.

• Purposeful Reading
  The reading pace is gentle but intentional. You’ll engage deeply with the text, learning how to read not just for information, but for transformation.

• Thoughtful Writing
  Short writing tasks, journaling, or reflections help you process what you’re learning and sharpen your thinking—writing as a tool for clarity and growth.

• A Supportive Online Community
  You’ll learn alongside others in a small, supportive group. The online space is designed to foster conversation, encouragement, and shared insights.

• Personal Mentorship
  Alongside group sessions, each participant will have a dedicated one-on-one meeting with the tutor each week. These are informal conversations to check in, reflect on the week’s chapter, discuss challenges, and receive personalized guidance on building intellectual habits.

By the end of this fellowship, you will have:

• Learned practical tools and approaches for cultivating focus, discipline, and reflective thinking

• Gained a deeper understanding of how intellectual virtues like curiosity, humility, perseverance, and clarity are developed over time

• Built strategies for organizing your study life with more intention and purpose

• Practiced methods of clear thinking, note-taking, and writing as tools for refining your understanding

• Begun developing a more reflective and purposeful approach to learning—an approach that can continue to grow long after the fellowship ends

Expect to spend around 2 to 3 hours per week on this fellowship. This includes reading, attending the weekly group session, a one-on-one conversation, and time for personal reflection or writing. The pace is designed to be manageable alongside your regular studies, offering depth without overwhelm.

The fellowship is completely free. Applicants do not need to pay any fees to join the fellowship. However, they must commit to participating in the entire program.

It is currently open to 2nd- and 3rd-year undergraduate students at Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). To apply, you’ll need to provide your valid student ID and proof of your current semester registration — or any official document confirming your status as a 2nd- or 3rd-year student.

This is a small, focused learning experience designed for meaningful conversation and personal growth. Spaces are limited to maintain the quality of interaction and support.

• Who can join this fellowship?
  This fellowship is currently limited to students enrolled at BIUST (Botswana International University of Science and Technology). In the future, we hope to extend this opportunity to students from other local universities as the program grows.

• Is this only for certain fields of study?
  No. This fellowship is for any undergraduate student who wants to develop better thinking habits, clarity, and purpose—regardless of their field of study.

• Do I need to finish the book before joining?
  No. We will go through the book together, chapter by chapter.

• What happens if I miss a session?
  Sessions will be recorded for enrolled students to review.

• Do I need prior knowledge?
  No prior knowledge is required—just openness, curiosity, and a willingness to engage.

• How big is the group?
  Spaces are limited to 6 to 12 participants to keep discussions meaningful and personal.