Cross-cultural Teaching Abroad in South Africa

Summer 2010

6 weeks (early July to mid August)

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?

The year 1990 is significant because of the changes in the political landscape in South Africa. South Africa has had to grapple with many difficult and unprecedented political, educational and economic pressures. In particular the provision of education for all children has resulted in huge increases in enrollment, with the corresponding challenges of finances, equity, teacher preparation, access to higher education, and job creation, among other issues. Many of these issues are relevant to educators in the United States and other countries. This program will provide a valuable opportunity to teach in a diverse and changing educational system that will broaden the experience and outlook of those preparing for a career in education.

Each MSU student will be paired with a collaborating South African teacher in the same academic field and level as the student. After a period of classroom observation, the student will develop lessons and co-teach with the cooperating teacher, and finally teach classes independently under the supervision of the cooperating teacher. Each student will be able to participate in a wide variety of school and community activities during the placement at a school. The students will live with a South African teacher’s family to obtain a first-hand understanding of the communities in which they live and teach. Regular meetings with the instructors will serve to interpret and expand on the practical knowledge learned in the classroom, and relate it to previous knowledge of the U.S. educational system.

Highlights include:

What can I study?

Students will be required to enroll for six (6) credits in the following courses.  Teaching professionals should contact the instructors regarding their credit requirements.

TE 815	Education in Transition	3 cr.
TE 894	Special Topics	3 cr.

These credits may be applied to the Master’s degree in Curriculum and Teaching at Michigan State University.

Students may enroll for TE 890 (Independent Study) with the approval of the instructors.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

In order to participate in this program, a student should have completed the B.A. or B.S. degree in MSU’s teacher preparation program, and be scheduled to begin the MSU internship program in September 2010.  Students who have completed their MSU internship are also eligible.  Students from other universities may participate in this program with approval of the instructors.  Practicing teachers are also welcome to participate.

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?

Students will be housed with selected families of South African teachers who are collaborating with this program in the area of Cape Town. Orientation week will be in a suburban bed & breakfast establishment.   During our visit to South Cape and West Coast, we will live in guest chalets, international backpackers, and visit a local game reserve.  In Cape Town, we will stay at the host teacher’s house during the week and in a bed and breakfast establishment during weekends.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Corvell Cranfield
College of Education

Cheryl Krohn
College of Education

To learn more about the program visit Preinternship Teaching in South Africa Web site.  This site contains descriptions and photos from previous programs.

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 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.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

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 the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2009 was $2,946 and included 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 $2,920 (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.

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, 2010 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.