Freshman Seminar in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, South Africa

This program is full but continues to accept applications for the wait-list.

Summer 2008

On-campus orientation: July 29 - July 31, 2008
On site in South Africa: August 1 - August 15, 2008

On-campus follow-up meetings throughout fall semester 2008

Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Study Abroad

View a printable flyer for this program.

What's this seminar about?

Join other first-year MSU students on this unique study abroad opportunity in South Africa. South Africa, like the U.S., is a country of rich diversity-geographical as well as social and cultural. Moreover, in the past decade South Africa has experienced one the most dramatic peaceful transformations in modern world history as it has emerged from three centuries of severe racial discrimination into a vibrant multicultural democracy. Dubbed the "Rainbow Nation" South Africa hosts multi-racial, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual populations. South Africa 's rich history and contemporary culture and society are wonderfully captured in beautiful city of Cape Town, the geographic location of this Freshman Seminar. Cape Town was chosen for its rich tapestry of cultural diversity as well as its variations in its physical features.

Participants of the seminar will learn about South Africa's struggle for freedom and transformation into a democratic society through lectures; readings; fiction, art, music, and film; and daily field trips. We will also visit Addo Elephant Park and Tsitsikamma National Park, and, weather permitting, we will climb beautiful Table Mountain.

For ten years, MSU's on-campus Freshman Seminars have been providing opportunities for first-year students to explore specific topics in smaller, more intimate, learning environments. These specially-designed classes feature small-group discussions of specific topics and the opportunity to explore new ideas and receive feedback from others. It's a great experience that allows students to get to know the other students and the faculty members well, and to have in-depth class discussions about important contemporary topics.

Where does it take place?

The majority of the seminar will be located in historical Cape Town. Founded in 1652 at the confluence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at the southern most part of Africa, Cape Town, considered to be one of the most scenic cities in the world, provides an ideal location to study historical transformation of South Africa from a racist society into a vibrant multicultural nation. In addition, the seminar will spend five days on the scenic Garden Route along the Indian Ocean, stay on the coast at breath taking Tsitsikamma National Park, and visit Addo Elephant National Park.

What can I study?

Students earn two credits for UGS 102 and receive a numeric (4.0-scale) grade for their work. Credit earned in UGS 102 counts as elective credit, regardless of students' major or area of interest (although some majors may allow the course to fulfill a requirement). UGS 102 is designed to provide students with an introduction to scholarship and inquiry in international contexts. Special disciplinary-based topics are focused to develop intercultural abilities and deepen international understandings.

Students enroll in one of two thematic tracks. Every effort will be made to give students their first preference. The tracks will be small-group based. Through large group activities, students will have plenty of opportunity to share their experiences and learning with each other. The specific topics covered in each seminar depend on the faculty members teaching them.

Track 1: Resistance & Reconciliation through the Arts and Humanities

This track will explore the ways in which the South African people have used the arts and humanities as a means of expressing themselves during recent history.  First, we will investigate the use of the arts and humanities during the resistance to apartheid from 1948-1994, and then, we will consider their subsequent use in the post-apartheid era, during the reconciliation between various ethnic, racial, and political groups. 

Students will read and discuss selections from autobiographies, prison letters, poetry, novels, plays, and films that address issues of human rights, resistance to oppression, racial equality, and social justice. Field trips will include visits to cultural museums or arts and crafts, schools, and townships and attendance at musical performances or other cultural events.

Track 2: Education in Transformation/Transformation through Education

This track will highlight how the pre-independent South African differentiated education system, with its harsh inequities, was closely linked with the social, historical and political developments in the country. This culminated in the struggle for equal education which included the historical student uprisings and other resistance movements against the poor educational system. The success of the post-independence unification of the education system by the newly elected democratic government will be critically analyzed, in terms of the schools' enrollments, teachers' professional development, curriculum, pedagogy, and assessments. The current challenges and issues plaguing the education system will also be identified. Students will be actively engaged in a variety of learning activities that include lectures; readings; peer presentations and debates; guest lectures on various educational and cultural issues; critiquing films with local content; and educational field trips to representative schools types.

What are the requirements?

To be eligible, applicants must have first-year freshman status at Michigan State University beginning in fall 2008 AND have paid their Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED). That is, a student must be admitted to and attending MSU for the first time as a full-time college student during the 2008-09 academic year.

It is strongly recommended that students apply early as acceptance into the program is on a rolling basis and the program may fill to capacity (21 students) before the priority application deadline.

Applicants' participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for seminar participation.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, please email Mr. Jim Lucas.

Where will I live?

While in Cape Town we will be staying at the Freeland Lodge which is located in the Observatory neighborhood of Cape Town. The lodge is located in the vicinity of the beautiful campus of the University of Cape Town. Consequently, quite a few university students live in observatory neighborhood. Students will be housed two or more to a room. For more information (including photos) on the Freeland Lodge visit their Website.

During our five day road-trip we will stay at a guest house in the city of Port Elizabeth, a guest house near the Addo Elephant Game Park, and ocean-view chalets at Tsitsikama National Park.

Laundry facilities are available near the Freeland Lodge in Cape Town but time will not permit laundry to be washed during the road trip.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Cindy Felbeck Chalou
Associate Director, Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-4345

Cindy Chalou coordinates MSU's programs in Africa and the Middle East. She volunteered as an agricultural lecturer in the Peace Corps in Swaziland for two years and was later hired by Peace Corps to train agricultural development workers. She served as consultant for a 2000-01 national study abroad initiative in South Africa and was a founding member of a professional Africa Special Interest Group.

Deidre Dawson
Residential College in the Arts and Humanities
Phone: (517) 884-1931

Dr. Deidre Dawson is Professor of Literature and Culture in the new Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. Deidre studied for 5 years at the Université de Montpellier, France, before obtaining her Ph.D. in French from Yale University in 1989. From 1989-1998, Deidre was a member of the French Department at Georgetown University, serving as chairperson for 3 years. In 1998 she joined the French faculty of Michigan State University, serving as chairperson of the Department of Romance and Classical Languages for 2 years. Deidre has had extensive experience with study abroad programs, including directing the summer program in Tours, France for Georgetown University, co-designing, directing and teaching in the French and Classical Studies program for Michigan State University in Nîmes, France, and co-designing and serving as faculty advisor for the French and African Studies program in Senegal, West Africa.

Deidre's research and teaching interests have expanded from a specialization in Eighteenth-Century French literature and culture to a broader exploration of transcultural exchanges in an increasingly global community. She collaborated with Dr. Stephen Esquith, Dean of the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, on a civic engagement project which paired 5 th-graders in a local elementary school with 5 th-graders in Mali, and she is currently helping develop scholarly and creative exchanges and learning opportunities between Senegal, Mali and Michigan State University in the context of the Residential College.

Josephine K. Zesaguli
Teacher Education

Josephine K. Zesaguli is a visiting assistant professor of science education in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University (MSU). Prior to coming to MSU, she was an associate professor of science education and held the position of director of the Institute of Science and Mathematics Education at the University of Venda, South Africa. In Zimbabwe, she was a science teacher educator at both the University of Zimbabwe and Bindura University of Science Education. Prior to that, she was a science education officer in the Standards Control Unit, and in the Curriculum Development Unit (Science), in the Ministry of Education and Culture, Zimbabwe. She started her career in education as a secondary science and mathematics teacher in Zimbabwe and Botswana. She has traveled extensively both in Africa and overseas. Her Ph.D. in Policy, Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education) was obtained at Michigan State University.

Do I need a passport or 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 the web page.

No visa is required for US citizens visiting South Africa.

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.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $3,350 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• overnight stay, meals and orientation program at MSU
• transportation (Roundtrip travel from MSU campus to Detroit Metro Airport; round-trip airfare Detroit-Cape Town-Detroit)
• lodging while in South Africa
• all breakfasts and lunches while in South Africa
• excursions and field trips
• books
• accident and sickness insurance

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• MSU tuition and fees*
• additional meals
• local transportation during free time
• passport application fee ($100)
• 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.

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 two credits. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes

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.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Freshman Seminar Abroad (FSA) Scholarships

Students participating on an FSA program may be eligible for up to three awards created just for these programs. General information about the awards is available below.

Freshman Seminar Abroad Study Abroad Scholarships: The Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE) and the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) offer a limited number of scholarships specifically for eligible FSA participants. In all cases, to be eligible for the award a student must be (1) admitted to MSU with their deposit paid, (2) have submitted their application to an FSA program, and (3) have on file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the MSU Financial Aid Office. Students must submit a scholarship application form.

Awards funded through the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE) are for $1,000, and require applicants to be Pell grant eligible and to have demonstrated high academic merit. The priority deadline for APUE awards is April 15, 2008.

Awards funded through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) are for $200, and require applicants to have a 2.5 GPA or above and demonstrate financial need. The deadline for OSA awards is June 9, 2008.

Please note that it may take several weeks after the deadlines to process and select the recipients of these awards.

Freshman Seminar Abroad Honors College Scholarship: MSU's Honors College offers a limited number of awards specifically for FSA participants who are also incoming Honors College students. Scholarships will be awarded by the Honors College to the first eligible students who register for each program, so apply early!

How do I apply?

The application is available by clicking here.

Once admitted into Michigan State University, you may submit your application to the MSU Office of Study in person, by fax, or by mail. A complete application requires your signature on the application form (and a parent's/guardian's signature, if you are under age 18 at the time of application). A $100 application fee is required. You will receive an electronic bill (e-bill) from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the application fee, which is applied to the cost of the seminar and is non-refundable once you accept admission into the seminar. If you are denied admission into the seminar, you will receive a full refund of the $100 application fee.

Deadlines for application depend on seminar departure dates and logistical planning, and applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis. The following Priority Deadlines should be taken into consideration when applying for a 2008 seminar:

The Office of Study Abroad suggests you apply well before the priority deadline date. Faculty will accept students into seminars until they are full or logistical factors make it impossible to add additional participants. To increase your chances of being accepted into your desired seminar, you should apply as early as possible.

Admission into these seminars minimally requires you maintain your status as an MSU freshman and be in good academic and disciplinary standing.

You will be notified of your acceptance status by an official letter from the Office of Study Abroad. Participation is contingent on maintaining your status as admitted student for fall 2008. Your participation may be denied or your participation approval may be revoked if your conduct before departure raises doubts as to your suitability for seminar participation.

If admitted into a seminar, you will receive an official acceptance packet in the mail that includes a Decision Form, Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization, Statement of Responsibility, and a Travel Permission for Minors (required for participants under age 18 at the time of the seminar's departure). To confirm your admission into a seminar, you must sign and return the forms included in this packet to the Office of Study Abroad within two weeks of the date of your acceptance letter or you may lose your space in the seminar. Students admitted into a seminar less than six (6) weeks prior to the seminar's departure date must sign and return the forms upon receipt.

Once you return the forms indicating your acceptance of admission you will be billed a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit . This deposit will be posted and due on your student account and must be paid by the due date indicated on the e-bill. It will be applied to the program fee. If you do not pay the application fee and/or deposit by the due date indicated on the e-bill, the fees will accrue monthly late charges until paid in full.

Students who are wait-listed because a seminar is filled to capacity will not be billed the $200 deposit until formally accepted. The application fee will be refunded to wait-listed students who are unable to participate due to seminar space limitations.

Billing notification will be sent to your MSU e-mail account, so you must check it regularly! To activate your MSU e-mail account visit New Students: Activating your MSU NetID. This site will provide you with instructions on how to activate your account. You will then be able to view your bill and determine when payment is due.

Further details can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook available on line (including information about withdrawing from a seminar).

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.

What's next?

Visit the OSA Web site
http://studyabroad.msu.edu

Check out the following Additional Resources:

Office of Financial Aid
http://www.finaid.msu.edu
252 Student Services

MSU Travel Clinic
http://travelclinic.msu.edu
East Circle Drive

Academic Advisers
http://www.msu.edu/common/academic/units.html
Located in each individual college/department

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
http://www.rcpd.msu.edu/Home/
120 Bessey Hall

Area Studies Centers
http://www.isp.msu.edu
International Center

MSU Global Access
http://www.msuglobalaccess.net
Information about the world - its regions and peoples and important international issues