South Africa

Study democracy, equity, and racial politics in the Rainbow Nation.

South Africa, unfortunately, is also one of the world’s most unequal places. Our programs shed light on the creation of two separate worlds, side by side, in the South African apartheid system, and the efforts to dismantle the results of that brutally effective system. We also engage with residents and activists in the “townships”, areas created for the poor, non-white underclass, to give participants a different perspective on the reality of South African life.

The group will also have the chance to experience a slice of the other side of life in Cape Town – the one created for wealthy, white South Africans (and the privileged, often black, political class, in recent years). In this Cape Town exist the gorgeous ocean and mountain view estates, the quaint wineries in the Cape Winelands, and the manicured gardens and historical architecture of the National Parliament. We will have the opportunity to view the current South African reality from many perspectives, with the sober eyes of outsiders.

We will spend time in the False Bay suburbs of Cape Town, the Central Business District, Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands, and Khayelitsha (the largest and fastest growing township in South Africa). We may also have the opportunity to go on a game safari in the rural Western Cape.

Burgeoning Regional Power

What makes South Africa so intriguing, among other things, are its history and status as both a new democracy, recovering from the apartheid era, and an emerging global economic powerhouse. We will take a critical look at some of the key figures of the past and present, and look at the efforts to bridge the vast inequality and its consequences that still exist post-apartheid.

Customization

We intentionally keep the size of our programs at manageable levels so that we can work individually with our students to provide the best experience, as much in line with each student’s goals and interests as possible. We also work with students in crafting their curriculum so that their respective schools will grant the maximum credit possible for their experiences both in and out of the classroom environment.

Natural Beauty

South Africa, and Cape Town in particular, is known as one of the world’s most compelling and beautiful tourist destinations. Participants in our programs will discover why this is the case, through events in the city, wine tasting near Stellenbosch, safaris at a game reserve, and visits to Cape Point and Table Mountain.

Authenticity

Our programs were crafted to provide our students with the most authentic experience possible. Unlike some other programs, we encourage our students to explore the country, get to know the locals, and truly immerse themselves in the local culture. With this in mind, as well as the different comfort levels that our students may have, we provide many options to our students regarding the level of immersion they’re looking for.