Fall – 18 weeks (late July to late November)
Spring – 20 weeks (January 29 - June 15, 2008)
Academic Year

Fall 2008 closed

Sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Education, the College of Social Science, and the African Studies Center

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

South Africa has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting study destinations. The country’s rich natural and ecological resources, its multi-cultural population, and its inspiring history and dynamic political milieu are some of the reasons why students study here.

South Africa is at the forefront of global awareness of the need for a more equitable and sustainable world order, and the experiences of the struggle against apartheid impact the work of academics, non-governmental agencies and state institutions involved in these issues.

South Africa’s entire educational system, from primary schools to universities, was redesigned for the post-apartheid future. South Africa is a nation at the cutting edge of change, and this change is reflected in the creation of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, a merger of apartheid-era universities. You will have the opportunity to study with South African students for a semester or full academic year at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) in your choice of multiple departments. This merger brings together the best of four campuses and thereby widens the course selections and opportunities for visiting students. Now is the time to gain first-hand experience and study politics in action in this fascinating country with a transforming society and vibrant culture.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

First semester	Late January through mid June
Second semester	Late July through late November
Academic year	Late January through late November

Each semester consists of two terms (modules) that are six to seven weeks long with a vacation mid-semester and three weeks of exams at the end.

Where does it take place?

Located in KwaZulu-Natal on the Indian Ocean coastline, Durban is Africa’s busiest harbor, South Africa’s second largest city, and a large multicultural metropolitan city with modern facilities. It is rich in cultural tradition and is of great political and economic importance to South Africa. The climate is comfortably warm during the winter (May to August) and hot and muggy during the summer (December to March).

The University of KwaZulu-Natal is comprised of four campuses:

During the apartheid era, each autonomous university/college serviced a specific racial community. These campuses merge into the University of KwaZulu-Natal in January 2004.

What can I study?

UKZN is academically comprised of ten college-level faculties, each of which houses several disciplinary departments:

Students participating in the program will select the campus that best suits their disciplinary interests. Because of the distance between campuses, it is wise not to select courses at two different campuses. A list of available courses at each campus is available on the UKZN Web site at http://www.ukzn.ac.za/handbooks/.

All courses are taught in English. However, there is a mandatory introductory course in isiZulu Communications Skills (beginning Zulu language and culture taught in English) for non-native speakers.

The primary form of instruction is lectures with tutorials and small independent study groups. Field activities, community outreach projects, and voluntary work (such as literacy work for education majors) may be a portion of the coursework that supplements the classroom instruction.

Students must fulfill the necessary prerequisites for all desired courses at UKZN and will be required to enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits consisting of at least two UKZN courses, plus the introductory isiZulu course. Students may take a total of four courses for 16 credits. The first term does not have exams so students must stay for the full semester.

In addition to formal classes, students are encouraged to become involved with a variety of community-based organizations such as those that deal with children, youth, women, health issues and development. MSU and UKZN can provide leads for such organizations, but it will be up to students to make the contact and arrangements once on site.

If you are not an MSU student, you will be issued a UKZN transcript and are responsible for ensuring your home institution will accept credits from UKZN in order to receive transfer credit upon completion of the program.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details about this policy, visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/people/students.html.
 
Contact the study abroad program coordinator listed below to learn more about available courses. To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit http://transfer.msu.edu/Institution.asp and http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROINFO/CSSAP/CSSAPmain.asp. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 3.00 at the time of application and have at least junior status by the time of participation. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

Additionally, all students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program and non-MSU students must also submit an official transcript. Letters of recommendation may be requested as well, after initial application has been submitted.

Preference will be given to students who have an established and demonstrated interest in Africa and who have, or are taking, Africa-related courses and plan to continue their study of Africa. MSU students participating in this program are encouraged to register for the African Studies Certificate Program of the MSU African Studies Center.

Study at UKZN will be an exciting adventure and challenge, but students MUST adequately prepare themselves in advance. Due to the climate of change associated with this nation and institution, students must be flexible, mature, self-reliant, and willing to deal with the unexpected. The MSU Office of Study Abroad and the African Studies Center will offer personalized orientation prior to departure.

Applications will be assessed by both MSU and the UKZN Admissions Office.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Housing is provided in on-campus residence halls. All students are accommodated in single rooms. Most residences are self-catering with a kitchen on each floor (a few vendors and fast food restaurants are also available on and near campus). There is one toilet and bath area for every 20 students.

Students are responsible for their own linen and laundry. All residences have internal laundry facilities. Students are also responsible for cleaning their own rooms.

The halls provide the basics. There are designated rooms for resource/study areas, but they only have furniture and no computers. However, there are always lots of activities taking place. The best way to meet South Africans is to become involved. Past participants have met others through the International Student Club, religious and sports clubs, classes, and by living in the dormitories.

Who can tell me more about this program?

John Metzler
African Studies Center
100 International Center
Phone: (517) 353-1700
E-mail: metzler@msu.edu

Cindy Felbeck Chalou
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4345
E-mail: chalouc@msu.edu

Rhonda Crackel
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
121 Agriculture Hall
Phone: (517) 353-8873
E-mail: crackel@msu.edu

You can also log-on to UKZN’s Web site at http://www.ukzn.ac.za/ukzninternational.

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport and student visa are required for entry into South Africa.

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of twelve weeks are usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/passports.html

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

For more information about visas visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/visas.html

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

Students participating in this program are strongly encouraged to receive a series of immunizations specific for travel within Southern Africa. Students should schedule an appointment to be seen at a travel clinic at least four to eight weeks before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines you may want to consider before departure.

For further health information and recommendations visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/health.html

How much does it cost?

The program fee in Spring Semester 2008 is $4,785 and includes the following:

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

The estimated total cost (per semester) for participation in this program is $10,090.

Students may request a cost sheet which estimates these additional expenses not included in the program fee by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university. If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/finaid/index.html

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit http://studyabroad.msu.edu/scholarships/index.html

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form by visiting http://studyabroad.msu.edu/applications/index.html

Students must complete an MSU Study Abroad Application and a UKZN Application. Due to the lengthy application process, the MSU Study Abroad Application must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by September 15th for spring semester participation and by March 1st for fall or academic year participation. Follow up will be done immediately by the OSA staff to ensure completion of the UKZN by their on-site deadline. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines.

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year. Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home, can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter. You can also read the handbook online at http://studyabroad.msu.edu/abcs/index.html.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

What's next?
Come to a study abroad fair
Talk with a Peer Adviser
Read program evaluations
Attend an info meeting
Apply online
Additional Resources...
Office of Financial Aid	252 Student Services http://www.finaid.msu.edu
MSU Travel Clinic	East Circle Drive http://travelclinic.msu.edu
Academic Advisers	http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities	120 Bessey Hall http://www.rcpd.msu.edu
Area Studies Centers	International Center http://www.isp.msu.edu
MSU Global Access	Information about the world -- its regions and peoples and important international issues International Center http://www.msuglobalaccess.net/
OSA contact info:	Office of Study Abroad Michigan State University 109 International Center East Lansing, MI 48824-1035 Phone: (517) 353-8920 Fax: (517) 432-2082 Email: studyabroad@osa.msu.edu