Study Abroad Programs: African Studies
African Studies is an interdisciplinary field that offers students an opportunity to explore the history, culture, and contemporary issues of Africa. Students pursuing this program will study the social, political, economic, and environmental challenges facing the African continent. They will gain an understanding of the diversity of African cultures, languages, and religions.
The curriculum for African Studies is typically designed to give students a broad understanding of the continent's history and contemporary issues. Coursework may cover topics such as African literature, music, art, politics, economics, religion, and anthropology. Students may also have the opportunity to study a specific region or country in depth. Many programs offer immersive experiences such as field trips and study abroad opportunities, allowing students to gain firsthand experience and engage with local communities.
Completing a program in African Studies can lead to a variety of career paths, including international development, diplomacy, education, journalism, and non-profit work. Graduates are equipped with a deep understanding of the complexities of the African continent and the tools to contribute to positive change. Programs in African Studies are available at universities across the United States, and study abroad opportunities provide students with the chance to experience African culture and society firsthand.
African Studies - Featured Programs
Sawubona*
Cape Town is a beautiful port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, with a colorful mix of cultures, cuisines, and landscapes.
Live, Learn, and Lead in Dakar, Senegal!
Spend a semester or academic year in Dakar, Senegal’s vibrant coastal capital—where tradition meets inno...
African Studies - All Programs
For over 50 years, St. Lawrence University has operated the Kenya Semester Program, making it one of the longest running U.S. study abroad programs on the African continen...
Founded in 1916, and moving to its present site in 1941, SOAS is a constituent college of the University of London. It’s considered a ‘school for diplomats,’ with a largel...
In partnership with Dickinson College and open to all students, this program examines development and social change in Cameroon in the context of culture, politics, and th...
Namibia and South Africa provide a rich context in which to explore the theme of nation-building. as these two countries demonstrate that the transition to independence is...
Apply by May 15
Cutting-edge public health initiatives are being implemented in Kisumu, a Kenyan port city on Lake Victoria (third largest freshwater lake in the world). Western Kenya has...
Apply by November 1, 2023
South Africa has made legislative strides in human rights and righting the wrongs of apartheid, but significant challenges remain. Historically, colonial and apartheid rac...
At CET Colombia, you’ll study race and identity through the Afro-Colombian lens. The program’s curriculum allows you to examine representations of race and ethnicity in Co...
Examine the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda and efforts to foster peace, unity, and reconciliation. Travel to northern Uganda to study collective strategies of ...
Understand the dynamics of human rights advocacy and the history of apartheid from your base in Cape Town, a hub for human rights organizations in a country emerging from ...
Experience West Africa through the lens of Sankofa, a Ghanaian concept that links the past with a sustainable future. Working with a local organization, you’ll learn to ap...
With its grand boulevards, world-famous monuments, unparalleled literary and artistic history, and its simple joie de vivre, Paris is a city that will change you forever. ...
The University of Cape Town is the oldest and most prestigious university in South Africa. It is one of the continent's leading teaching and research institutions. UCT off...
