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STUDY ABROAD IN AFRICA: SOUTH AFRICA
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Program: University of Cape Town - Arts & Sciences / CIEE
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Is This Program Right For You? This program is appropriate for students from all academic disciplines that have a strong interest in learning about contemporary South African life and society as well as the forces that have created that society.
The host institution, the University of Cape Town (UCT), is internationally recognized as one of Africa's leading research universities. Established as the South African College in 1829, the UCT has more than 15,000 students in 100 departments among various faculties: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Science. A mini-city of teaching, research, administrative, and residential buildings fills the Groote Schuur site. The CIEE Study Center at UCT provides students with a range of academic and intellectual experiences that enable them to reflect upon the complexities and challenges facing the new South Africa. Through integration in local communities, students become participants in, rather than mere observers of, this dynamic and evolving environment. Through this process, students gain a comprehensive understanding of social relations within South Africa.
The Courses/Program: The Arts and Sciences program, established in 1998, allows students to pursue their own academic studies, while providing firsthand knowledge of contemporary South African life and society. All participants are required to enroll in at least one course with specific African content or one that offers a distinctive African perspective in their area of interest. Alternatively, students can enroll in the independent study option. Courses may be taken in all UCT faculties excluding Health Sciences.
All students participate in the cultural program and may participate in the community service option. Students are encouraged to develop a program that supports, extends, or complements the requirements of their home institution and meets their own personal needs. Due to possible changes in the courses offered each term, students should be flexible in course selection and not necessarily expect to fulfill specific major requirements of their home institution.
CIEE students are taught alongside University of Cape Town (UCT) undergraduates and are required to undertake a full program of courses, including all prescribed assignments and written examinations. Teaching methods at the university normally involve a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and, in the sciences, laboratory classes. The system is geared towards the scholar who is motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter. Participants may notice striking differences between their home educational system and the UCT system. The new academic environment is part of the challenge of studying at UCT. The university allows students greater responsibility and initiative in a less structured environment. Courses may involve relatively few contact hours each week, since they are intended as a starting point and focus for a great deal of individual study.
The CIEE Study Center follows the university’s calendar with an additional period of time for orientation at the beginning of the semester. The South African academic year runs from early February through late November with two semesters. Many University of Cape Town courses are year-long courses and run from the U.S. spring through the U.S. fall semester.
Housing: Students live in apartment-style residence halls on campus or in apartments very close to campus. CIEE students live with South African or other international students in small single rooms and share the other facilities of the apartment with two or three other students. Homestay with a South African family is an option recommended for students who wish to take full advantage of their experience in South Africa.
Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (18 weeks): late July – late November/ Application Deadline: March 15th
• Spring Semester (18 weeks): early February – mid-June / Application Deadline: October 15th
• Academic Year (48 weeks): late- July – mid-June / Application Deadline: March 15th
Requirements: (Language of instruction is English)
• 3.0 GPA
• Course work in African studies recommended
Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and insurance. Visa not included. For more information: www.ciee.org . Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.
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Program: University of Cape Town - Service Learning / CIEE
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Is This Program Right For You? The Service-Learning Program at UCT provides a framework for students to fulfill their educational and personal goals while also giving back to the communities in which their learning takes place. It is a great opportunity to put your community service experience to good use in a rigorous academic program of language study, social research methodology, African studies, and independent research.
The host institution, the University of Cape Town (UCT), is internationally recognized as one of Africa’s leading research universities. Established as the South African College in 1829, the UCT has more than 15,000 students in 100 departments among various faculties: Commerce, Engineering and the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Law, Humanities, and Science.
The service component in an essential part of this program and placement and oversight is provided by the Students Health and Wellness Centres Organisation (SHAWCO), which is a South African welfare organization with over sixty years experience engaging students in marginalized communities of the Cape Peninsula.
The Courses/Program: The program runs during the fall and spring semesters and has three main components:
1. A two-part core course with integrated service - Students take their core course with CIEE and UCT students.
2. Language training which is appropriate to the communities where service is performed (Xhosa or Afrikaans) - Students choose one beginner-level language course, which is taught at UCT. Language classes have South African, CIEE, and other international students.
3. An academic Capstone Project which draws upon all other elements of the program. – This project is completed individually in consultation with a faculty advisor from the Department of Sociology and others at UCT.
As the Capstone Project is tied to the service project in which the student is engaged, the needs assessment, data collection, and the final product itself is intended to be fully integrated into the service experience. The goals of this course are not only to demonstrate and apply what has been learned throughout the program, but also to reflect on the learning and “give back” to the organization where service was performed. In this way, the capstone project provides benefits for the student, the program, the service organization, and ultimately to the communities where the service is performed.
Housing: UCT students live with CIEE students in off-campus housing to enhance cultural integration. Students are responsible for their own meals which are not included in the program fee.
Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (18 weeks): early July – late November/ Application Deadline: March 15th
• Spring Semester (18 weeks): early February – late-June / Application Deadline: October 15th
Requirements: (Languages of instruction: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa)
• 3.0 GPA
• Demonstrated experience in community service or volunteerism
• Demonstrated ability to perform independent research
Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and insurance. Visa not included. For more information: www.ciee.org . Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.
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Program: University of the Western Cape / Arcadia
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Is This Program Right For You? The University of the Western Cape (UWC), situated in Bellville, approximately 15 miles from Cape Town city center, is a leading research and teaching institution in South Africa that played a unique role in “the struggle” against apartheid. Following the end of apartheid, President Nelson Mandela appointed many prominent faculty and alumni of UWC to his cabinet. Today, Archbishop Desmond Tutu serves as Chancellor of UWC, and the university is fully integrated with a student body that reflects the diverse nature of the South African population in terms of race, religion, and economic background. UWC has gained a reputation as a leader in research and teaching both at the national level as well as internationally.
Through linkages with a variety of institutions around the world, UWC attracts more than 300 international students each year. The total population of the university is approximately 14,000. The majority of students now come from homes where an African language is spoken, followed closely by English and then Afrikaans. There is an exciting vibe on campus focused around the student center and the year-round activities organized by students for students. Apart from the sports clubs, UWC students have established political, cultural, and religious societies. The UWC Centre for Performing Arts offers opportunities for students to learn to play a musical instrument, to dance, to sing, and to act.
The Courses/Program: Study abroad students will have access to all faculties and courses at UWC, provided the prerequisites can be met and will take an average of six modules per semester of study. While Liberal Arts and Humanities hold an important place at UWC, equally as important and strong are the faculties dedicated to practical fields such as Education, Law, Health Sciences, and Nursing. The UWC faculty is well known internationally and has many partnerships with universities and institutes elsewhere in Africa and around the globe. This is a student centered institution where teaching takes priority over research at the undergraduate level.
In addition to your coursework at UWC, all participants are required to participate in a core seminar on “Contemporary Issues in South Africa.” This course is intended to offer a forum for reflection and analysis on current issues and challenges facing South Africans. Not only will the course involve reading, lectures, and research, but it is intended to bring South Africa into the classroom through regular guest lectures and related field experiences.
Housing: The majority of Arcadia program students at UWC will be housed in group houses along with Arcadia program students at the University of Cape Town or those participating in the Parliamentary Internship Program. This arrangement will enable UWC students the opportunity to get to know and socialize with students enrolled in other Arcadia programs in the Western Cape. All housing will be equipped with double or single bedrooms, communal bathrooms, kitchens for self-catering, a lounge, and television.
Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester: July – December and US Academic Year: July – June / Application Deadline: March 15
• Spring Semester: January – June and South African Academic Year (US Calendar Year): January – December / Application Deadline: November 15
Requirements: (Language of instruction is English)
• 3.0 GPA
Program Cost Includes: Tuition, guaranteed housing, overseas orientation, medical insurance, pre-departure advising, cultural excursions, and transcript. For more information: www.arcadia.edu/abroad Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines. (Updated 2/6/08)
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Program: Service Learning at the University of the Western Cape / Marquette University (Jesuit U.)
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Is This Program Right For You? The Marquette University South Africa Service Learning Program allows students to pursue the dual path of academic coursework and real-world learning. While students attend weekly classes at the University of Western Cape, a school which played a key role in ending apartheid, they also work part time at local non-profit organizations. From educational organizations to health awareness organizations, these non-profits placements are arranged for students by the program director and allow students to truly become a part of the community they are studying. In this single program, interested students can integrate rigorous academic studies with direct immersion in another culture, gain rare insight into the leadership paradigms and qualities needed for a more peaceful world, and become a catalyst for positive change.
The Courses/Program: If you participate in Marquette’s South Africa Service Learning Program, you will study with South African professors who are experts in their fields at the Leadership Academy of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and the University of the Western Cape (UWC). These two institutions have long been dedicated to building peace in South Africa and have been key in guiding the country from a legacy of violence to a cooperative peace.
Students take two mandatory courses while in the program: 1) Theology of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Justice 2) Leaders in Grassroots Organizations: Community Development and Social Analysis. They also take two elective courses from UWC, which offers a wide variety of disciplines.
Along with those courses, students do part time service learning work at local non-profit organizations. These service placements are organized by the program director, and students are allowed to pick from among their top preferences. Past placements have included educational programs, an HIV awareness organization, and a grassroots radio station.
Housing: Students live in a communal house arranged by the program. Transportation is provided to and from classes and service learning placements.
Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester: September – December/ Application Deadline: October 1st
• Spring Semester: January – June / Application Deadline: March 1st
Requirements: (Language of instruction is English)
• 3.0 GPA
• Course work in African history or equivalent
Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing, transportation, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions. Visa not included. For more information on curriculum, service learning sites and costs, visit: www.marquette.edu/safrica. Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.
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Program: University of Stellenbosch / CIEE or Arcadia
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Is This Program Right For You? This program is appropriate for students from all academic disciplines who have a strong interest in learning about transformation in contemporary South Africa in a picturesque college-town setting. Study alongside South African students while taking Stellenbosch University courses and engage in the community through personalized volunteer opportunities. Situated in the Winelands district of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch is a university town of 60,000 people. Only 30 miles from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is a town where international students can quickly assimilate into the local culture while still having access to the many opportunities that the Western Cape has to offer. The oak-lined streets filled with whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture provide a comfortable atmosphere in which to engage in your understanding of the broader South African society. One of the oldest institutions of higher education in South Africa, Stellenbosch University was founded in 1866 and is comprised of 150 academic departments in 10 faculties. With a student population of approximately 18,000 (12,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students) and staff of more than 2,000, the University endeavors to contribute toward building the scientific, technological, and intellectual capacity of Africa while being an active role player in the development of South African society.
The Courses/Program: The rich academic program built upon CIEE’s experience in the Western Cape since 1998 allows students to pursue their academic studies while providing first-hand knowledge of contemporary South African life and society. Students take a core course focusing on South Africa, in addition to enrolling directly in Stellenbosch University courses. Students also have an independent study option. Afrikaans is heard both on the streets and in the hallways of Stellenbosch University. But in the spirit of change, English courses are growing in number, bringing opportunities for non-Afrikaans speaking students (from overseas and from within South Africa) to enjoy the rich academic tradition of Stellenbosch University. Students are strongly encouraged to enroll in either Afrikaans or Xhosa language classes in order to facilitate their interaction and engagement with the community. Students are required to undertake a full program of courses, including all assignments and written examinations. Teaching methods at the University normally involve a mixture of lectures, tutorials, seminars, and, in the sciences, laboratory classes. The system is geared toward the scholar who is motivated, self-sufficient, and deeply interested in the subject matter. Participants may notice striking differences between their home educational system and the Stellenbosch system. The University allows students greater responsibility and initiative in a less structured environment. Courses may involve relatively few contact hours each week, since they are intended as a starting point and focus for a great deal of individual study. The CIEE Study Center follows the University’s calendar with an additional period of time for orientation at the beginning of the semester. The South African academic year runs from early February through late November/early December with two semesters. Many University courses are year-long and run from the U.S. spring through the U.S. fall semester. Courses are generally offered in Afrikaans Language, South African culture, Drama, Economics, Engineering & Technology, Environmental Studies, Geography, History, Information Science, Literautre Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion and Theology, Sociology, and Xhosa Language.
Housing: Students have two choices of housing, though spaces may be limited and students may not be placed in their first choice. Students can live in dormitory-style Stellenbosch University residence halls in a single room. Students who choose this option receive a meal stipend on their student account which they may use toward meals at the dormitory dining hall. The dormitories are located in the center of the main campus. Students may also choose to live in apartment-style Stellenbosch University residence halls with other international students. Students have small single rooms with a private bathroom and share kitchen and other facilities with two or three other students. All of the residents of the apartment share basic cleaning duties. Students are responsible for their own meals, which are not included in the program fee. On average, one should expect to spend $10-$15 a day for food. Students can prepare their own meals or eat at establishments on or off campus. These residence halls are a short walk from the main campus.
Duration/Deadlines:
• Fall Semester (18 weeks): mid July – mid December / Application Deadline: March 15th
• Spring Semester (18 weeks): late January – mid June / Application Deadline: October 15th
• Academic Year (48 weeks): mid July- late June / March 15th
Requirements: (Languages of instruction: Afrikaans, English, Xhosa)
• 3.0 GPA
• College level coursework in African Studies
Program Cost Includes: Tuition, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and insurance. For more information: www.ciee.org . Catalogues are available in ISAP’s Resource Rooms. Please note: The information on this sheet is for reference purposes only. It is your responsibility to confirm details and deadlines.
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