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A South African Journey

Summer 2012
South Africa
May 15 - June 5, 2012

 

Program Highlights

  • Visit historical Cape Town and learn about the impact of colonialism and Apartheid.
  • Learn about Nelson Mandela and his many years imprisonment while visiting Robben Island.
  • Travel through South Africa visiting: Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, Stellenbosch, Klein Karoo, Oudtshoorn, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Port Elizabeth (Eastern Cape).
  • Home-stay at a working ostrich farm, visit a vineyard, and hike the national parks and unspoiled beaches of the Indian Ocean.
  • Observe African wildlife up close.
  • Visit with Xhosa people of South Africa living on the Wild Coast during a 3 day cultural immersion experience and learn about their culture, customs and hardships during the Apartheid years.
  • Fulfill the Intercultural (IC) requirement of the Common Curriculum while earning 2 general credits

Program Description

A beautiful and resource-rich land of complex relations among diverse cultures, South Africa is still a nation struggling to get to its feet. This program provides students with the opportunity to study, experience, and explore a variety of issues during their study visit to South Africa. During a three-week long immersion into the cultural dimensions of Post-Apartheid South Africa and pre-departure lectures, students will experience and develop an understanding of the impact of history on culture and  the political and socio-economic climate that influence some of the predominant national issues.

Program Costs

The program cost is approximately $4200 (including the $300 deposit) and it includes round-trip international airfare from Minneapolis, all overland transport, all admission fees for scheduled activities, all lodging with breakfasts, and some meals.

Please note that currency fluctuations influence final program costs; usually most costs are known by late March and you will be notified by that time of any changes. Student financial assistance may be available for summer programs; enquiries should be directed to the CSB or SJU Financial Aid Offices.

Additional Expenses (at student's own cost)

International Student Identification Card (available from Office for Education Abroad), optional activities, personal expenses and /or purchases, meals not provided by the program, and two credits summer tuition.

Program Director 

Denise Meijer is the director for this program. She has lived and worked in different countries and has extensive international clinical, teaching, and travel experiences. She directed the South Africa Nursing Study Abroad programs during three fall semesters and May terms. Meijer has directed the South African Journey May Term since its inception in 2006. Meijer is thoroughly familiar with South Africa and the people, and especially with the areas scheduled for visiting during this program. Meijer speaks Dutch fluently; this enables her to communicate with the Afrikaans speaking people of South Africa. In addition to speaking English and Afrikaans, South Africans use nine different indigenous languages to communicate.

Final Note 

This very popular program tends to fill up fast. We encourage students to apply sooner rather than later in order to avoid disappointment. If the program is full at time of application, the student may request to be placed on a waiting list.