NOTE: SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, like COVID-19, SIT may have to modify programs. Visit the SIT website for more details.
Explore the politics and culture of rapidly changing South Africa, as well as Swaziland and Mozambique, while engaging with renowned artists and intellectuals.
WHY STUDY CHANGE IN SOUTH AFRICA?
More than two decades into democracy, South Africa continues to struggle with the legacy of apartheid. With the highest income inequality in the world, South Africa is still transforming its political, educational, economic, and health sectors. In the historic coastal city of Durban, you’ll explore the history and dismantling of apartheid and visions for the country’s future. Choose from one of three program tracks. On the journalism track, you’ll work with award-winning journalists at Times Media Group in Cape Town to carry out the full scope of story development, from identifying and researching story ideas, determining newsworthiness, finding sources, working with editors, and adhering to the highest standards of journalism. On the internship track, you’ll gain professional experience in an international setting. And, on the research track, you’ll conduct field research and produce a substantive academic paper. Travel to Mozambique, which played a central role in South Africa’s journey to liberate itself from apartheid. Visit the Luthuli Museum, former home of the first African Nobel Peace Prize winner. Tour the Mandela House in Johannesburg and the Phoenix Settlement in Durban, home of the late Mohandas Gandhi. You will also see a wide range of exotic animals on safari in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Witness the mechanics and dismantling of South Africa’s apartheid system.
- Travel to Mozambique for eight days to learn about its role in the struggle.
- Visit the homes of the late Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Gandhi, and others.
- Observe lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, giraffes, and zebras on safari.
PREREQUISITES
None. For the journalism track, strong writing skills and an interest in journalism are essential. A writing sample may be required as part of the admissions process.
Please visit the
SIT Study Abroad website for details on the
program courses (including syllabi), educational excursions, and housing.
KEY TOPICS OF STUDY
- Apartheid and emerging visions for post-apartheid South Africa
- Individual vs popular memory; the role of memory in healing trauma
- Reconciliation through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
- Roles of civil society, education, and media in nation-building
- The challenges of transition
- Gender and social change
MONEY MATTERS
Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor.
SIT tuition and room and board fees include the following:
- All educational costs, including educational excursions
- All accommodations and meals for the full program duration
- Transportation to and from the airport, and on all educational excursions
- Health and accident insurance
SCHOLARSHIPS
- SIT awards nearly $1.6 million in scholarships and grants annually.
- All scholarships and grants are need-based.
- Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000 for semester programs.
- Contact the financial aid and/or study abroad office(s) at your college or university to learn if your school’s scholarships and grants and federal and state aid programs can be applied to an SIT Study Abroad program.
CONTACT SIT STUDY ABROAD
Program
In cooperation with the School for International Training (SIT), Ohio State offers the option of enrolling at multiple programs based in South Africa.
Students may participate in the following program; South Africa: Social and Political Transformation- Semester length.
Students may explore the socioeconomic, political, and cultural dynamics of South Africa—an extraordinarily diverse country in transition—and enjoy unparalleled engagement with renowned activists, intellectuals, and political leaders.
Locations
Durban, South Africa
Accommodations
Students will be housed in local homestays
Ohio State Program Contact
Rebecca McMunn
Schedule an appointment
here
mcmunn.8@osu.edu
Courses and Credits
Each course a student takes abroad, regardless of the grade received or how course credit counts toward degree requirements, must:
- Be approved via the credit evaluation process; students are strongly encouraged to do this prior to submitting their applications.
- Transfer back to the student’s Ohio State record.
- Be completed for graded Ohio State credit. This grade will be factored into the student’s GPA.
Completion of the credit evaluation process does not guarantee the availability of the course abroad. Students are encouraged to have multiple back-up courses approved. Students who cancel their participation for failure to secure approval for desired course work will be subject to the
cancellation policy.
Admitted participants are required to register themselves in the temporary study abroad placeholder course, ARTSSCI 5797. Further instructions will be provided upon admission to the program.
Click
here for course information.
Eligibility
Applicants are required to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, meet the program-specific pre- requisites and meet
OIA's General Eligibility Requirements and
Conditions for Participation. All students will also be required to participate in on-campus pre-departure orientations organized by the Office of International Affairs.
Students may not graduate during the same term in which they are participating on a third party provider/direct enroll program.
Application instructions
Applicants are required to submit TWO applications:
1. OIA education abroad application (start at the "Apply Now" at the bottom or top of this page);
2.
SIT application.
IMPORTANT:
Both applications must be submitted by the Ohio State application deadline
Passports
Passports are required for every Ohio State study abroad program. For many study abroad destinations, passport information is required to apply for an entry visa (as early as 6 months prior to departure). For information about applying for a passport, go to
travel.state.gov.
Program Costs
Students will pay the School for International Training program fee and the Geo Blue supplemental international health insurance fee.. A waiver of tuition for Ohio State students that participate on university-approved third party provider or direct enroll programming is in effect until June 30, 2021. The SIT program fee includes tuition, housing, on-site orientation. Airfare, some meals, books and supplies, international supplemental health insurance,personal expenses and independent travel are not included in the program fee.
If students withdraw or become ineligible any time 11 days after the acceptance notification from OSU, they will be held responsible for a $200 cancellation fee. Please refer to
OIA's Cancellation Policy.
Scholarships
Students should begin researching
funding opportunities before they have been accepted into a study abroad program.
Grants and Scholarships deadlines may occur before the study abroad program application deadline.
Students who receive or are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant are encouraged to apply for the
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This program is Gilman eligible. Interested students should first verify their existing award package and make an appointment with Student Financial Aid as needed. After researching the scholarship, students wishing to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship should be in touch with the listed education abroad coordinator to begin working on a competitive application.
Information Sessions
Notices
U.S. Department of State:
travel.state.gov (travel advisories/country specific safety information)
Centers for Disease Control:
cdc.gov/travel (pre-travel health guidance)
Ohio State reserves the right to change without notice any statement contained herein, concerning but not limited to rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula and courses. In the event of a change to an existing U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory, CDC Travel Health Notice or other
risk designated criteria, the Office of International Affairs reserves the right to cancel any program prior to departure or while in progress. Discrimination against any individual based upon protected status, which is defined as age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, is prohibited.
