SIT Study Abroad: South Africa - Multiculturalism and Human Rights
- Location(s): Cape Town, South Africa
- Program Type(s): Study Abroad
SIT Study Abroad
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Explore issues of multiculturalism, ethnicity, and identity in the context of South Africa, from historical and contemporary perspectives.This program focuses on South Africa’s ethnic diversity. In a typical semester, students complete four homest... read more
All Reviews
It was worthwhile. I made some lasting connections and learned a lot about a world that isn't always talked about. A student - Loyola University Chicago View Entire Review
I learned a lot about different cultures in South Africa and learned how to be more flexible with change. Samantha A - Bates College View Entire Review
I became more assertive and grounded in my abilities and intuition. I learned how healthy friendships and networking is to be maintained and what it take to make them flourish and long lasting. Prentiss Edmond - Spelman College View Entire Review
My experience abroad was absolutely worthwhile. The multidisciplinary approach to learning enabled me to critically examine interconnectedness, particularly concentrating on the shape-shifting omnipresence of white supremacy. My learning was also deeply rooted in relationship building, with folks on and off the program. I feel a... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned that the people in your program will make the trip. Try your best to make friends within your program. These are people that you will see 75%-80% of the time so make an effort to get along with them. Deborah-Virginia K - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained a deeper understanding to how interconnected the world is and how powerful the United States is in influencing the well-being of other nations. I found myself in situations where South Africans were displaying all they knew about America's society, culture and values and I could not reciprocate this knowledge about thei... LaQuasia C - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained so much - I made deep connections with my host families, learned so much about South Africa and its history, I learned the importance of patience and flexibility, taking things one step at a time, and the power and importance of human connection A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I became more confident, more self and globally aware, empathetic towards others, mature, strong, adventurous, curious about others' lives, and I developed a serious love for traveling and teaching children in less privileged areas. Lucy S - Trinity University View Entire Review
I learned so much, not from classes and lectures, but from living in and experiencing South Africa. Living with host families did a lot for my understanding of the various cultures of South Africa. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned an incredible amount about South Africa and got to see a fair amount of the country. Doing my ISP research made me feel independent and confident in my interviewing skills. I made great relationships with my host families and other SIT kids A student - Tufts University View Entire Review
YES! it was amazing and I would love to go back as soon as possible Kaitlyn B - Tufts University View Entire Review
MY ABROAD EXPERIENCE WAS DEFINITELY WORTHWHILE AND I WOULD DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT. MY EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA TAUGHT ME TO BE MORE ACCEPTING AND OPEN-MINDED. SOUTH AFRICA ALSO MADE ME MORE INTERESTED IN POLITICS BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL. ASHLEY F - Austin College View Entire Review
Kelsi S - Tufts University View Entire Review
It was worthwhile! A student - Hamilton College View Entire Review
I learned about myself in a new environment. Sierra - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Of course it was worthwhile. I think in particular I gained access to new, transformative, and creative research processes. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned a ton from my experience abroad. I learned a ton about South Africa, and this helped me to think about the U.S. in a different way. I learned that I can go through difficult situations without my usual support systems and still make it through. I gained independence, confidence in my abilities, more knowledge about the... Michaela Cabral - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned about South Africa's histories of colonialism, apartheid, and the liberation struggle. I had difficult, complex conversations about race, identity, privilege, and history with the other American students on the program. I reflected on current events in Cape Town and South Africa, and related them back to the United Sta... A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I loved Cape Town. I learned a lot about issues of race and racism in the transnational perspective. I loved my homestay families, and I had a lot of amazing experiences. A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I gained a deeper understanding of 'post'-apartheid South Africa. I learned about the intricacies of operating a multicultural nation - its challenges, complications, etc. I learned about local cultures and their complications with representation in a multicultural state. It was definitely worthwhile. I wouldn't have wanted ... Justin B - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned many lessons, many from experiences that are thus hard to put into words. I learned about South African history, politics, human rights, identity formation, and other topics, as well as about human connection. It was one of the most worthwhile experiences I've had. A student - Sarah Lawrence College View Entire Review
I gained love and knowledge and real-life and academic experience I would not trade for anything. Jane A - Middlebury College View Entire Review
Definitely. I absolutely loved it. It made me more interested in conducting field research. Evelyn M - Austin College View Entire Review
Too much to explain, still looking for the words. Lydia W - Barnard College View Entire Review
This is an incredible program for a student who is motivated, independent, and invested in their own learning. They must be willing and excited by the prospect of spending the majority of their day immersed in the local culture, otherwise the day to day experiences could be overwhelming. Sally P - Abroad101 University View Entire Review
About
Explore issues of multiculturalism, ethnicity, and identity in the context of South Africa, from historical and contemporary perspectives.
This program focuses on South Africa’s ethnic diversity. In a typical semester, students complete four homestays — each providing the opportunity to meet and interact with South Africans from different geographic and ethnic backgrounds. The strong emphasis on the homestay as experiential learning complements lectures, discussions, field-based assignments, and excursions to provide a multidisciplinary analysis of the country
Major topics of study include:
- The historical background to South Africa's apartheid system, how apartheid shaped and continues to impact social policy in South Africa, and the visions for post-apartheid South Africa
- Social change in education, language use, land, social justice organizations, party politics, rural development, social welfare NGOs, and tourism in three cultural contexts: Xhosa, Coloured/Khoe, and Afrikaner
- Critical identity markers beyond race — such as gender, sexuality, class, or generational or political affiliation — which cut across cultural contexts in post-apartheid South Africa
- The political, economic, and social structure of the future South Africa
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Spring
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- African Studies
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