South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
IMPORTANT DATE CHANGE: May 10 - May 30, 2009
Due to the cancellation of our original itinerary by the airline, TnCIS has had to change the program dates.
Application Fee: $100 (non-refundable)
Program Fee: $3,980
NEW INFORMATION: Pre-departure Information and Itinerary for South Africa Program
All groups will depart from Nashville International Airport (BNA). Please refer to itinerary above for details. Due to possible changes in flight numbers and departure times, these schedules are subject to change. Updates will be sent out to all participants via email.
The following information is available for download - PDF
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is possible that not all TnCIS programs or all TnCIS courses are available at your institution. A complete listing of courses offered at each member institution is available at www.tncis.org/members. Please contact your TnCIS campus representative for instructions on registering and paying fees.
Program Location
This program will take place in Cape Town, an exotic ocean front city surrounded by the beautiful Table Mountain National Park. Cape Town was originally settled by the Dutch and is famous for its waterfront harbor. It is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, with African, European and Asian influences. Along with South Africa's unique political and cultural history as well as the abundance of wildlife and scenic landscapes, this is an ideal location for a study abroad program.
Program Description
The program will seek to familiarize students with the field of sociology, anthropology, education and literature. It will focus on historical and cultural issues specific to South Africa. Such issues as language, demographics, religion, poverty, crime, and inequality will be covered throughout the 3-week program. The program is structured as follows:
Excursions:
Students will experience a three day excursion to Johannesburg, South Africa and visits to archeological sites. Several day-trip excursions out of Cape Town include: Cape Point, The Cape of Good Hope, Robbens Island, local townships, and Stellenbosch. Numerous guest lecturers and visits to sites in Cape Town will also be arranged.
Classes:
Classes will be held for approximately three hours a day during the week at various locations, including museums, local campuses and onsite at lodging facility.
Accommodations:
Students will live and eat two meals a day at the Riverview Lodge. Riverview is a secure dormitory facility, with all amenities within walking distance.
Academics:
All TnCIS programs are academic in nature and course work that takes advantage of the program location will be the central focus. TnCIS program courses are for credit only. In South Africa, students will enroll in ONE of the following courses:
SOCIOLOGY: Social Problems and Social Change
This course will focus on the increasingly acute and intense problems such as poverty, health care, crime, and inequality in South Africa. Changes in South African culture will also be examined since the end of Apartheid. See course syllabus.
ANTHROPOLOGY: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
This course will introduce students to the field of cultural anthropology focusing on the description and analysis of geographically diverse social groups and their learned traditions. Culture consists of the abstract values, beliefs, and impressions of the world that lie behind the behavior and attitudes and ideals of a society. Students will learn that cultural relativism and participant observation are two hallmarks of anthropological fieldwork and will utilize these skills for the entire duration of the course in South Africa. See course syllabus.
EDUCATION: Education Seminar
This course is a study of current theories, methodologies, and other topics in education. See course syllabus.
Financial Aid:
Applications for financial aid (scholarships, grants and student loans) must be made through your home institution. Please consult your TnCIS campus representative (see member list) for information and instructions. Scholarships are available at many member institutions.
Mandatory Orientation:
A thorough pre-departure orientation is an essential part of your preparation to study abroad. The mandatory TnCIS orientation for all programs will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in Central Tennessee. Exact time and place will be announced at the beginning of March on the TnCIS website and in your acceptance notification. Please reserve the date.
Passports
It is critical that you obtain a passport if you do not already have one, or renew yours if it has expired. If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months after your return date. For an application and details on obtaining a passport or renewing one, please refer to the US Department of State passport website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Application
Applications will be available online beginning October 1, 2008 and are due on February 19, 2009. APPLY NOW. Late applications will be considered on a space available basis. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours. Eligible students currently enrolled or accepted and in good standing at a TnCIS Member Institution may apply to any TnCIS study abroad program.
A complete application consists of:
- The completed on line application
- The application fee of $100 (paid to the cashier at your home institution)
- An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
- A letter of recommendation
Please click here to download the letter of recommendation form. This letter should be filled out by a professor who can make a statement regarding your preparedness for the program and how you would benefit from the program.
Other important forms you need to review prior to submitting your application include the Agreement and Assumption of Risk, Program Contract, Medical Surrogacy and Medical History forms. These forms will be filled out by the applicant and turned into the TnCIS office after being accepted into the program. Details will be sent out in the acceptance letter. Click on the links below to view the form. All applicants must review these forms prior to submitting the on-line application.
Agreement and Assumption of Risk
Students will be notified of acceptance by email and a letter. Once accepted, please consult the TnCIS website and the email address used on your application on a regular basis for deadlines and other important information. In international travel frequent changes are to be expected. Email is the primary channel of communication for the office and you will be responsible for information sent to you via email. This information is intended to keep you updated on all activities necessary in your preparation to participate in the program.
Cost of Program
The total cost of the program is made up of the application fee, the program fee, and tuition.APPLICATION FEE: All students are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 by the February 19, 2009 application deadline.
PROGRAM FEE: Students will register and pay fees on their home campuses. The fee to the student is $3,980. The fee includes round trip airfare from Nashville, program lodging, limited health insurance, group excursions, required ground transportation, breakfast and lunch daily, and other small incidental items. Expenses not covered by the fee include: application fee, passport, textbooks, one meal per day and personal spending money.
TUITION: All member institutions provide a tuition scholarship. Therefore, tuition is charged to the student account, but then covered by the institution.
Payment Deadlines: February 19th - $100 Nonrefundable Application Fee
March 19th - Full payment due (Program fee and airfare)
Cancellation Policy: Through March 19th - Full refund less $100 application fee
Between March 20th and April 16th - $1500 cancellation fee
After April 16th - No Refund
**TnCIS estimates fees based on the current global financial environment and all attempts are made to keep costs down whenever possible. However, due to the constant fluctuation in the value of the American Dollar and currencies in program countries, it is possible that costs may increase. Therefore, TnCIS reserves the right to notify students regarding an increase in fees due to exchange rates by March 19, 2009.