Overview of Program

UConn’s Spring Semester Study Abroad in Cape Town

The Program

While living and working in one of most breathtaking settings in the world students who participate in UConn’s Study Abroad in Cape Town have the opportunity to the explore the multiple concerns facing South Africa as it endeavors to become one of the world’s most progressive democracies.  Since the early 1990s, South Africa has witnessed sweeping changes in its political and cultural landscape.  Once stigmatized as a racist regime and egregious violator of human rights, it is now celebrated as one of the most tolerant nations on earth, with 11 official languages and one of the most progressive constitutions in the world.  South Africa's constitution is indeed the only one with specific language on women's rights, children's rights, workers' rights, health care rights, education rights, and environmental and conservation justice. 

Cape Town, a magnificently beautiful city nestled between sandy beaches and gorgeous mountaintops, provides the setting for this first UConn program to be developed outside Western Europe. Drawing on the University of Connecticut's core value of Human Rights this program immerses students within the living history of South Africa by directly involving them in institutions that are wrestling with South Africa's troubled past while determined to create a modern, democratic civil society. Designed to facilitate greater understanding of South Africa’s troubled past while contributing to its vibrant hope for the future, the heart of this program is its three-day per week internship.  Through the perceptive groundwork of a Cape Town coordinator, students from a wide variety of majors are placed in internships specifically selected to best fit their academic goals, personal interests, and career aspirations.  Interning in schools, clinics, organizations, and non-governmental agencies students are able to learn from those committed individuals whose mission it is to address issues of social injustice as they strive to improve the lives of formerly disenfranchised South Africans

Living in a fully furnished house in Rondebosch, a southern suburb of Cape Town, students have easy access to public transportation from this residential area with a medium-size shopping area, a small business district, and the main campus of the University of Cape Town. In addition to the vital course work and internship opportunities, this program offers: a week long orientation with visits to historic and cultural sites of interest; a three day home-stay to experience everyday life with a local family; a Human Rights for Social Cohesion Training Weekend with young people from throughout the African continent; and a week-long excursion to Johannesburg and Kruger National Park.

The Academics

Students receive a total of 15 UConn credits during their semester abroad in Cape Town. Courses take place at the University of Cape Town where students are enrolled as a non-degree seeking learners which provides them with access to the library, gym, computer facilities, clubs, and student union.  Taking two classes with native Capetonians enables them to learn from and work with folks who not only know the history of the country but also continue to play an integral part in helping to create positive change.  The “History and Politics of South Africa” course helps place what students see, hear, and experience within the broader historical and contemporary social context.  Taking a course on “Research on Non-profits” assists students in better understanding the particular organizations in which they intern by guiding them to investigate the vision, mission statement, strategic plan, and annual reports in order to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and potential threats faced at their specific placement site.  The “Comparative Study of Race, Class, Genders, and Sexualities” course encourages students to connect issues they confront in South Africa with issues they may or may not have been aware of in the U.S. 

·       POLS 3255. Politics of South Africa (3 Credits) Instructor: Mr. Vincent Williams. This course provides a broad theoretical and contextual framework against which to analyze and interpret internships and general experiences in South Africa. It offers an overview of the historical development of the social, political and economic issues of South Africa while outlining the various challenges and obstacles facing South Africa today. This course provides a forum in which to reflect upon and discuss not only the country’s legacy of apartheid but also its current work to achieve social justice and human rights for all who live within its borders.

·       WGSS 3998 H. Variable Topics: Comparative Analysis of Race and Gender: 3 Honors Credits (May be substituted for WGSS 3894 for WGSS majors). Instructor: Dr. Marita McComiskey. This course explores the social construction and reproduction of racial & gender inequality in a global perspective. By studying the social position and relations of women and men (political, economic, cultural and familial) within both South Africa and the United States students analyze the diversity of women's and men's experiences across class, racial-ethnic groups, sexualities, cultures, and regions. 

·       INTD 3784 H. Interdisciplinary Research Seminar on Non-Profits: 3 Honors Credits. Instructor: Rev. Vernon Rose. Coupled with the internship experience, students select a research project designed to integrate their academic knowledge with the professional experience of their internship. Throughout this course students develop research projects determined through consultation with field supervisors in order to provide some substantial contribution to the sponsoring organization. At the end of the semester a copy of the project together with a description of how it was completed and how it is intended to benefit the organization are submitted.

·       INTD 3993 International Study: South African Internship Field Study: 5 Credits (May be substituted for WGSS 3891 for WGSS majors) Internship placements are selected by the Cape Town coordinator after interviewing students to determine which specific site will best meet their needs, interests, and majors.  At each placement each students are assigned an agency supervisor who serves as a mentor throughout the semester. 

In addition this program includes three 1credit courses: Pre-Departure Study Abroad Course, On-site Study Abroad Course and Re-entry Course.

·       WGSS 3993: UConn in Cape Town Pre-Study Abroad: 1 credit.  Fall semester before departure: The pre-departure course explores strategies for adapting to a new culture and tactics for getting the most from an internship experience. This 6-week course also provides an opportunity to get to know others who will be living and working together during the spring semester.  Students meet once a week for the final six weeks of the fall semester prior to departure.

·       WGSS 3993: UConn in Cape Town Study Abroad: 1 credit.  Spring semester while abroad.  Designed to facilitate the work of adjusting to culture shock, pursuing personal and professional goals while fitting in; and learning about one’s own culture while becoming immersed in another. 

·       WGSS 3993: UConn in Cape Town Re-Entry:1 credit.  Fall semester following return.   This companion course for returning students is designed to explore ways to best incorporate the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained from the study abroad experience into future academic, professional and personal life plans while discovering effective ways to fit a new self into an old environment. 

Beyond the Classroom

A week-long orientation begins the process of familiarizing students to the location in which they will be living, studying, and working.  Combining cultural and historical activities student-interns: visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was held as a political prisoner: participate in the Transcending HistoryTour at the Slave Lodge; attend a lectures by at the District 6 Museum; visit areas formerly declared “white only” under Apartheid’s Group Area Act; and attend concerts, plays and other cultural events.  Such immediate engagement provides a valuable foundation for further exploration in the months ahead. 

A fairly recent addition to this program, which has become a highlight for participants, is a three-day homestay in Ocean View. South African host-families are well known for their friendliness and hospitality so spending a weekend living with a local family is one of the best ways to experience and learn about this new culture. Host families are carefully chosen for security, comfort and friendliness.

Expanding upon their academic and experiential learning students also participate in Human Rights Training Weekend with young adults from throughout Africa. Working in teams they learn valuable lessons about universal human rights; civil rights, challenges faced by asylum seekers/refugees, and the complexities of attempting to come to consensus with individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives.  Through such fusion of academic, personal, and professional experiences students learn much about themselves as they broaden their understanding of what it means to be a consciously engaged global citizen.

A weeklong “semester break” excursion to Johannesburg includes visits to many of the sites previously studied including: the Apartheid Museum; the Hector Pieterson Memorial; the Nelson Mandela Homestead; Sharpeville Memorial Site; Freedom Square: the new Constitutional Court; and many other historically significant places.  And, since many believe no trip to South Africa would be complete without seeing the “big five” for which the country is famous, students conclude our excursion with a trip to Kruger National Park where all enjoy sunset and sunrise game drives.

For more additional Information see:  http://www.uconn-in-capetown.com/