Conservation and Biodiversity in South African Parks and Nature Reserves

Summer 2009 closed

May 16 – June 11, 2009

Sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of Agriculture Natural Resources

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

This program, offered by the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, will tour various parks and nature reserves throughout South Africa, including Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, Manyeleti Nature Reserve, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Kalahari Transfrontier Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Agulhas National Park, Boulders African Penguin colony, Cape of Good Hope, Table Mountain National Park, and Robben Island.

At a time when natural resource managers are asked to consider global contexts of biodiversity and ecosystem approaches to management, this course will expose students to various South African ecosystems and will broaden students' scope of management by taking into account the impacts that land-based activities and international policies have on the natural communities in these ecosystems. The role of game reserves, nature reserves, and national parks as management tools will be investigated and students will be introduced to social issues that are encountered when protection of biodiversity restrictions are imposed on a society.  We will also address the role of hunting as a management tool of big game species on private game reserves and the impact of hunting on the surrounding communities.

Students will familiarize themselves with the flora and fauna of the different ecosystems visited; will interact with government officials and land managers; and will participate in hands-on learning, including bushwalks, habitat sampling, population surveys and other field experiments.

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for six (6) credits in the following course:

FW 480

I nternational Studies in Fisheries and Wildlife

6 cr.

Although this program is primarily intended for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students majoring in biological sciences, environmental biology, natural resource management, wildlife ecology, zoology, or a related field, students from all academic majors, as well as students from other universities, are encouraged to apply.

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application.  Students will also be required to have completed an organismal biology course (i.e., BS 110 or ISB 202).  Meeting these two requirements does not, however, guarantee admission. Preference will be given to upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students, and those with a science-related background, particularly ecology (ZOL 355).

Additionally, students must submit an essay with their application stating why they wish to participate in this program.

It should be noted that not all activities involved in this program are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

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 will include tourist-class motel facilities in Pretoria, Kuruman, Upington, Hermanus, and Cape Town; and cabin-style facilities while at the South African Wildlife College and in Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Kalahari Transfrontier Park, and De Hoop Nature Reserve. 

Most meals will be provided.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Jim Schneider
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
40 Natural Resources Bldg.
Phone: (517) 353-2979

Al Stewart
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Phone: (517) 241-3101

You can also visit the program’s Web site.

Do I need a passport or 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 eight to ten 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 the web page.

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.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

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.

It should be noted that not all activities involved in this program are accessible to individuals with disabilities.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $4,199 and includes the following:

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

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs are estimated at $2,670 (US09).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts 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.

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.)

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 the Web page.

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.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources also offers its students special study abroad scholarships.  Check with Rhonda Crackel for further details.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by March 1, 2009 for summer programs.  Application review will begin in December and continue through February - well before the application deadline.  Therefore it is strongly recommended that students apply early.  Priority will be given to students who submit their application before December 1, 2008.

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.

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