Study Abroad

South Africa

Join your fellow travelers and spend your semester break on a BSU Study Abroad Program in South Africa

We expect this program to next be offered during winter break (December-January) of 2013-14.

Take a semester break in South Africa! Although it is classified as a semi-arid country, you will be experiencing bountiful variations in climate, as well as regions. South Africa is noteworthy for its sunshine, with temperatures reaching 90° Fahrenheit or higher. Afternoon thunderstorms are a welcoming surprise that clear quickly, leaving you with a warm, natural, and unique African exposure. You will also experience enterprising hikes of up to six hours as you explore the wonderful and solitary sights that South Africa has to offer!

Academic Program

The program is offered for six semester credits. There are several different courses for which you may receive credit for Semester Break in South Africa.

Academic requirements include:

1. Daily Journal: List important events and activities of your day and emphasize items that contributed to your learning experience, especially with regard to your understanding of global economy.
2. Pre-trip Classes: Lectures at the University of The Western Cape (UWC), field trips, tours and a post-trip test.
3. Research Paper: Select one of these topics:
   • Apartheid and Present Day Politics in South Africa
   • The New South African Economy
   • Ethnic Diversity in South Africa
   • Winemaking and Agriculture
   • The Natural Environment
4. Post-trip Epilogue: Can include items in your post-trip research that seemed to be verified by what you saw in South Africa, as well as items that were different from what you had imagined.

Travel Highlights

1. Johannesburg
   • Gold Reef City
   • Apartheid Museum
2. Mpumalanga Province
3. Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains)
4. Blyde (Joyful) River Canyon
5. Pilgrim’s Rest
6. Kruger National Park
   • Game Viewing Safaris
7. West Coast Fossil Park
8. Shangaan Cultural Walk
9. Garden Route
10. Indian Ocean
11. Oudtshoorn
    • Ostrich Farms, Kango Caves
12. Gansbaai (Goose Bay)
13. Great White Shark Adventure!
    • Extra Cost: To be determined
14. Cape Town
    • Cape of Good Hope
    • Nature Reserve at Cape Point
    • Table Mountain
    • Kirstenbosch
    • The Castle of Good Hope
    • Robben Island

Eligibility

South Africa is open to students in good academic standing who have completed their freshman year. This program will include activities such as hikes, walking tours and other forms of physical activities. Visited sites, modes of transportation and housing accommodations may not be handicap accessible. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be carefully considered, but may not be available. You may wish to consult with the program faculty director.
 

Price

Contact the International Program Center for current cost estimates. Typically the program fee includes round-trip airfare, all accommodations and entrance fees, the equivalent of US $50.00 in South African Rand and a R100.00 phone-card to be supplied to all student attendees on arrival. Please note that all lunches, unless otherwise stated, are typically not included in the program fee. Payments are due in full prior to departure.

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary and the dates of the South African tour portion of the program are subject to change. Also, published prices may fluctuate due to inflation in exchange rate, the number of participants, and other factors beyond the control of Bemidji State University.

For more information and to request an application, please contact:
Bemidji State University
International Program Center
Deputy Hall 103
Bemidji, MN 56601
Telephone: 218.755.4096
Contact

Dr. Sanjeev Phukan
Telephone: 218.755.2756
Contact