South Africa
Cape Town & Johannesburg, South Africa
May 10 – May 31, 2010

Total Program Fee: $3,980

   Academics and Courses    Application    Cost of the Program    Important Details

Program Location:

This program will take place primarily 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. A four day excursion to Johannesburg will give students another view of life in the capital city of South Africa. 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 fields of anthropology, history, geography and geology. Not only will it focus on historical and cultural issues specific to South Africa, including language, demographics, religion, poverty, crime, and race relations, it will also explore unique geological features of the African continent. The program is structured as follows:

Please note: Prospective students should be aware that study abroad programs require a great deal of walking. You should be prepared to walk at least a mile or two each day. You may also walk over uneven, possibly slippery or rocky terrain even in cities.

Excursions: Students will experience a four day excursion to Gauteng Province where they will tour South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg, and the nearby political capital of Pretoria/Tshwane. Additional day-trips while in the Gauteng include Sterkfontein caves and the township of Soweto.

Classes: Classes will be held for approximately three hours a day during the week at various locations, including museums, local campuses and onsite at the lodging facility.

Accommodations: In Cape Town, 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. In Johannesburg, students will live in a youth hostel and will also be provided 2 meals a day.

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:

ANTHROPOLOGY: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (No Prerequisite)
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 

HISTORY: Western Civilization II (No Prerequisite)
This course surveys historical developments in the western world since 1500, with particular emphasis on Africa. Several cultural and historical excursions are planned (e.g. the Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island prison, a wine farm, District Six museum) whereby students will view tangible examples of major historical themes such as imperialism, economic development, and racism. See course syllabus

GEOLOGY: Survey of Geology (No Prerequisite)
This course focuses upon the Earth's structure, function, physical processes, and location in space. Emphasis is given to the external and internal forces that mold the face of the Earth and its atmosphere. The program site will afford opportunities for fieldwork as well as classroom instruction. Students will experience firsthand the applications of the principles which underlie any study of geology as they visit related sites, including field sites and museums. See course syllabus

GEOGRAPHY: Introduction to Human Geography (No Prerequisite)
This course is an introduction to the geography of human cultures, especially those in South Africa. Course topics focus on human/environment interaction, demographics, distribution patterns and interactions of such cultural characteristics as language, religion, population, politics, urbanization and economics. See course syllabus

Application:

Applications will be available online beginning October 15, 2009 and are due on February 11, 2010. 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 college credit hours. Eligible students currently enrolled or accepted and in good standing (this includes academic and disciplinary matters) at a TnCIS Member Institution may apply to any TnCIS study abroad program. A complete application consists of:

     1. The completed online application
     2. The nonrefundable $100 application fee (paid at your home institution)
     3. An official transcript sent to TnCIS by the registrar at your institution
     4. 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 program contract, agreement, medical surrogacy and medical history forms. These forms will be filled out by the applicant after being accepted into the program and turned into the TnCIS office. Details will be sent out in the acceptance letter. These forms are updated every year as needed. DO NOT complete these forms before being accepted. Any updated forms will be sent to you via email. Click here to view the forms. 

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, program fee**, tuition and airfare. All fees are paid at your home institution.

Application Fee: All students are required to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $100 by the February 11, 2010 application deadline.
 
Total Program Fee: The total program fee for South Africa is $3,980. It covers roundtrip international travel from Nashville, program lodging, group excursions, required ground transportation, two meals daily, and limited health insurance. Expenses not covered in the total program fee are: 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.

Airfare: The group roundtrip international airfare from Nashville is included in the Total Program Fee.

**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 18, 2010.

Payment Deadlines: February 11th - $100 Nonrefundable Application Fee
                       March 18th - Full payment due (Program fee and airfare)

Cancellation Policy: Through March 18th – Full refund less $100 application fee
                       Between March 19th and April 15th - $1500 cancellation fee 
                       After April 15th – No Refund

Important Details:

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. To see FAQ’s on study abroad financial aid click here.

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 27, 2010, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM in Central Tennessee. According to Tennessee Board of Regents policy, all students must attend. 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.

Non-US Citizen Participants: If you are an international student or non-US citizen (i.e. do not hold or are unable to obtain a US passport), you must provide a copy of your current passport and a visa to enter the country of your study abroad program. If a visa is not required, a statement from the program country embassy which indicates that you have appropriate documentation for entry to that country is required. Necessary documentation is the responsibility of the participant. Please contact TnCIS for assistance.

TnCIS Contact Information:

TnCIS Office TnCIS
PO Box 22990
10915 Hardin Valley Road
Knoxville, TN 37933-0990

Theresa Castillo
Program Coordinator, TnCIS
tcastillo@pstcc.edu
865-539-7279