Experential learning - history, politcs, and travel of South Africa! July 14, 2025

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

During the program, you will take 4 courses plus an internship or research project. You are expected to write around 5ish papers, ranging from 3-8 pages, except for your final paper. The program provides a calendar and syllabus so you know your academic requirements. There are two presentations and a language exam. The lectures are very interesting and discussion-based. Lecturers are very insightful and approachable. The program emphasizes experiential learning, so you have lots of field trips and activities that contribute to your lecturers. Overall, the academic rigor places value on learning through speakers, cultural, economic, and political sites. You learn about South African history, Southern Africa, and also contemporary politics, providing you with the Global South perspective in politics, security, and development.

On-site administration of your program

The program coordinates your schedule and provides weekly detailed agendas. You only need to book your flights, and they also provide information to help you. Activities, travel, and host family information are usually given a week in advance. It helps to ask clarifying questions, as sometimes, due to the fast pace of the program, more specific details are excluded.

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

During the program, you live with 3 homestays and then also move around a lot with travel and independent accommodation. The homestays provide insight into classroom and experiential learning that the program emphasizes. Be prepared to move around a lot.

I enjoyed the food, but be prepared to eat a lot of chicken and not as many veggies. During the lecture part of the program, you can find your lunch, and during independent housing, you have access to a kitchen and can make food for yourself.

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

The majority of integration is from homestays. You spend most of the program with your cohort. There is an opportunity for immersion if you are interning, which is an amazing experience to get to know your colleagues. I recommend making an effort to try out local coffee shops and places in your area to meet more people.

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

The program provides an accessible doctor. If you need Malaria pills for Mozambique, they are easy to obtain through the program doctor before travel. There are some optional vaccines you can get before travel in addition to the normal vaccinations you have already received.

I did not have any incidents occur in my program. You do have to exercise a higher degree of security. It is best to stay in groups, double-check Uber license plates, utilize street smarts, take Uber instead of walking, wait inside until your Uber arrives, and avoid being on your phone outside.

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

The program provides weekly stipends for meals. Your host family provides breakfast and dinner. The exchange rate makes it cheap in comparison to the US.

0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language

Most people speak English, but on the program you take isiZulu. This provides everyday language skills and insight into Zulu culture.

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• Host Family
• Apartment
• Hotel

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• Americans
• Host Family

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• Americans

• field trips
• domestic and international experetial learning
• lecturers and opportunity for discussions with speakers and lecturers

• preparation for field trips/site visits
• pre-departure orientation
• preparation for logistics of iving accomdation