Summer: 6 weeks (mid May to late June)

NOTE: This program runs in odd-numbered years only; next offering will be in 2009

Sponsored by the Department of History in the College of Social Science

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

South Africa, like the United States, is a country with a complex and tumultuous history of race relations. This program will examine both the history and contemporary landscape of these relationships, paying close attention to how race, class, and gender intersect in producing and maintaining inequality as well as resistance and renewal.

Students in this program will be able to gain an in-depth knowledge of South African history and current social issues through scholarly texts and participation in community-based service learning projects.

What can I study?

The strength of a comparative program is one in which a community of scholars come together looking at both similarities and differences of a society. This program will have the advantage of courses co-taught by U.S. and South African professors. South African professors and practitioners will guide our movement through the institutions we will visit and collaborate with us on engaged service learning projects.

Several contemporary issues in South Africa demand an understanding of the history that shaped race relations and a social structure where access and opportunity were determined by membership in a “racial group.” We will look at these issues through different lenses, in various settings: academic, social, and service learning, in both urban and rural areas.

The practicum component will help us to align with those individuals and groups engaged in work for social change.

Participants will:

• Understand several key points of similarities and differences in historical and contemporary race relations in the U.S. and South Africa
• Learn how race, class, and gender intersect in contemporary South African society
• Interact with South African faculty, students, and multiracial community organizations working on issues of social justice within three areas of the country:
• Johannesburg (largest city)
• Durban (third largest city/port)
• Cape Town (second-largest city/port)
• Be immersed in a multilingual society and learn how language affects race relations
• Witness firsthand through service learning how several critical issues in contemporary South Africa, i.e. race/poverty/AIDS crisis/urban decay and renewal, intersect with social and economic development and access to resources for social change
• Contribute to the ongoing partnership between Michigan State University and Vumundzuku-bya-vana (Our Children’s Future) as they work together to provide support for children made vulnerable by HIV-AIDS. See www.mrule.msu.edu for more information.

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

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.00 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission.

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

Final acceptance into the program is based on an individual interview with the program leaders.

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 will be provided through a combination of hotels, retreat centers, and camps.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Jeanne Gazel
Director, Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience, VPSAS
Faculty, Integrative Studies in Social Science
C239 Holden Hall
Phone: (517) 432-5266
E-mail: gazeljea@msu.edu

Dr. Jeanne Gazel is the director of the Multi-Racial Unity Living Experience at Michigan State University. She holds a Ph. D. in American Studies with specialties in Race Relations, Women's Studies, and Race/Class/Gender Intersectionality. She is a Fulbright recipient who spent two years in South Africa researching community arts and race relations in 1989-90. Since then she has made several trips to South Africa, which included attending the NGO forum at the United Nations World Conference Against Racism in August of 2001, and directing this program for four years. She presently teaches ISS 315 – Global Diversity and Interdependence which focuses on racism, classism and sexism on a global scale.

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 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 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.

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

How much does it cost?

The program fee in 2007 was $4,124 and included the following:

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

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 deadlines to apply for these scholarships are February 1st for spring break programs, March 1st for summer, academic year and fall semester programs, and October 15th for winter break and 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, 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.