Summer 2008 closed

May 9 – June 15, 2008

Sponsored by the Department of Teacher Education in the College of Education

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Southern Africa is a region of great diversity -- geographical, historical, cultural, racial, ethnic and religious. This program will examine various aspects of diversity through the study of education and society.

South Africa is an extremely complex society that provides a fascinating case study of the role of education in a country undergoing substantial change in many areas. The current efforts of South Africa to overcome a history of racial inequality have captured the imagination of people throughout the world. Since it attained majority-rule government in 1994, South Africa has experienced radical changes in its educational system and its society.

Under the system of apartheid, South African education and society were strictly separated by racial and ethnic groups. Black children received low-quality education and had little chance of higher education, whereas the white minority was provided with free, high-quality education. With the election of a multiracial government in 1994, South Africa has had to grapple with many difficult issues related to education. The provision of education for all children has resulted in huge increases in enrollment, with the corresponding challenges of finance, equity, teacher education, access to higher education, and job creation, among other issues. Many of these issues are relevant and will be of interest to educators in the United States and other countries.

Education everywhere must be viewed in the context of the society in which it exists. This program will explore the relationship between formal education and society in South Africa, as well as in the larger context of the southern African region. We will focus on issues of human diversity (race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender, religion, special needs groups) and social institutions (the role of the state and non-governmental agencies, civil society, and the private sector in economic and social institutions, most importantly schools).

Students enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of the stakeholders in education in South Africa. Program activities will include:

• Lectures and discussions provided by faculty members from several southern African universities.
• Observation and interaction in a wide variety of educational institutions, including primary, secondary and special needs schools, preschools, vocational schools, teachers colleges and universities. Discussions with teachers, administrators and students in each location.
• Visits to other rural and urban institutions to learn more about the society, economy, cultures and religions of South Africa.
• Opportunities for educational interaction such as tutoring or team teaching in a variety of institutions, such as preschools and schools for homeless youth, as well as formal K-12 classes.
• Travel to important historical, cultural and natural sites in South Africa. The program will spend time in major cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town and will visit smaller cities and rural areas. We will also visit one of South Africa’s wildlife parks.
• Organized service opportunity in rural and urban areas.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll in a minimum of six (6), maximum of nine (9), semester credits from the following courses:

* Fulfills requirements in MSU’s Teacher Education program.

INDEPENDENT STUDIES: One to six credits may be taken in the following fields: Anthropology (ANP 490), English (ENG 490), Geography (GEO 490), History (HST 490), James Madison College (MC 399), Political Science (PLS 495), and Sociology (SOC 490).

Graduate students may enroll in specialized independent studies upon consultation with program faculty.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

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?

Accommodations throughout the program will include fully furnished flats, a rural community conference center, university residence halls, and hotel rooms.

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

John Metzler is an assistant professor of African Studies and Teacher Education, and is coordinator of outreach and study abroad programs for the African Studies Center at Michigan State University. He has worked and researched in southern Africa since 1972.

Cheryl Krohn
College of Education
310 Erickson Hall
Phone: (517) 410-1609
E-mail: krohnche@hotmail.com

Cheryl Krohn is a PhD student in Teacher Education and a teaching assistant in the College of Education. She has worked in Southern Africa since 2000, and plans to do her future research in the region.

Do I need a passport or visa?

A valid passport is required for entry into South Africa. U.S. citizens do not need a visa.

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 is 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 or medications 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 three months before the program to inquire about the recommended and/or required vaccines 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 is $3,640 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• accommodations
• meals
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

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

• MSU tuition and fees*
• airfare
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee ($100)
• visa application fees (if applicable)
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

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. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

*Check http://www.ctlr.msu.edu/studrec/ for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU; non-MSU students pay the Lifelong Education rate, regardless of state of residence.

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 deadline to apply for these scholarships is March 1st for summer 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, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, 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

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1st for summer programs. We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to this deadline.

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.