Freshman Seminar in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Summer 2009 closed

On campus orientation: July 27 - July 29, 2009
On site in South Africa: July 30 - August 13, 2009

On-campus follow-up meetings throughout fall semester 2009

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

What's this seminar about?

South Africa, like the United States, is a country of rich diversity-cultural, social, religious, and geographical. Moreover, in the past decade South Africa has experienced one of the most dramatic peaceful transformations in modern history as it emerged from centuries of severe racial discrimination into a vibrant multicultural democracy. This Freshman seminar will provide participants with the opportunity to engage this transformation and South Africa 's rich diversity in the context of Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

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 will enroll in one of the two thematic tracks. Enrollment in these tracks will be on a first-come, first-served basis with every effort being made to give students their first preference.

1. 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 school types.

2. Resistance & Reconciliation

South Africa shares with the United States of America a history of racial division and political struggle for inclusion by the disenfranchised. South Africa, like the U.S.A., was colonized by the British. The US has a history of slavery, followed by a long era of civil rights, and South Africa has a history of apartheid (racial segregation) followed by period of reconciliation. It was not until 1994 that the first multi-racial elections were held in South Africa. However, in 2009 millions of non-white South Africans continue to live in poverty and are denied opportunities to equal educations and the living standards of white South Africans. This can be traced back to racial oppression established under apartheid.

What are the requirements?

To be eligible, applicants must have first-year freshman status at Michigan State University beginning in fall 2009 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 2009-10 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 Back Packer's Lodge of Mountain Manor. With a view of Table Mountain and Lions Head, this 1860 Cape Colonial building is located in the central part of the old city. Students will be housed in rooms for 4 to 6 students. Although these rooms will be exclusively for MSU students, participants will be able to interact with other travelers staying at the lodge. For more information (including photos) of the Manor, visit their Website at http://www.mountainmanor.co.za/.

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
(http://theaardvarkbackpackers.co.za/), and ocean-view huts at Tsitsikama National Park.

Laundry facilities are available at Mountain Manor in Cape Town, but time will not permit laundry to be washed during the road trip.

Who can tell me more about this program?

Josephine K. Zesaguli
Teacher Education
Phone: (51) 353-6482

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 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 and served as one of the leaders of this program in 2008. Her Ph.D. in Policy, Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education) was obtained at Michigan State University.

Colette Houston
Residential College Arts & Humanities
Phone: ( 517) 884-6003

Colette Houston is currently a fourth year Ph. D candidate in the Philosophy Department at MSU and also teaching in the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. She has several years teaching experience at colleges and universities around Northeast Ohio, Alma College in Alma, Michigan and has taught several IAH courses at MSU prior to joining the RCAH. As a student, she has traveled to Europe with a study abroad program offered by MSU. Her dissertation covers topics in race theory, and social and political philosophy.

Cindy Chalou
Office of Study Abroad
Phone: ( 517) 353-8920

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. She has served as one of the leaders of the Freshman Seminar in South Africa for the past three years.

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 eight 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.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.

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.

How much does it cost?

The program fee is $3,535 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• overnight stay, meals and orientation program at MSU
• transportation (Roundtrip travel to and from South Africa )
• lodging while in South Africa
• some meals while in South Africa
• books and academic resources
• excursions and field trips
• 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.)

*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 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 seminar, 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) and Office of Financial Aid are for up to $2,000 toward the program fee (note: if the program fee is less than $2,000, then students will only be given an amount equal to the cost of the program fee). These scholarships are designated for Pell grant eligible students who have demonstrated high academic merit. The priority deadline for APUE awards is June 9, 2009.

Awards funded through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) are for $250, and require applicants to have a 2.5 GPA or above and demonstrate financial need. The deadline for OSA awards is June 9, 2009.

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 online.

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.

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. Don't hesitate to contact us to find out if space is still available on the program of your choice.

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 2009. 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).

What's next?

Visit the OSA Web site

Check out the following Additional Resources:

Office of Financial Aid
252 Student Services

MSU Travel Clinic
East Circle Drive

Academic Advisers
Located in each individual college/department

Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities
120 Bessey Hall

Area Studies Centers
International Center

MSU Global Access
Information about the world - its regions and peoples and important international issues