Arcadia University: Community Development in Cape Town, South Africa

  South Africa

Cape Town (Kaapstad)

Term: Summer 
Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: Are you inspired to teach, participate in community development, or just give back? If so, then consider spending six weeks in Cape Town this summer, tutoring school children in reading, mathematics, science, or information technology.

Arcadia University has teamed up with SHAWCO (Students' Health and Welfare Centres Organisation), an organization founded and governed by the students of the University of Cape Town, to offer students a chance to contribute to communities in need, develop leadership skills, and earn credit at the same time. You will earn 6 credit hours for the session.

Along with your service learning project, you will be required to register for a core course taught by lecturers from the Department of Sociology at the University of Cape Town. The course will consist of a series of seminars in which you will develop insight into the conceptual issues around development, poverty, and power, as well as an understanding of the theories and practices of development in the context of post-apartheid South Africa. You will also attend weekly reflective sessions in which you will discuss your field work and learn skills to support your teaching as well as relating your experiences to the overall themes of the core course.

Credit:
You will earn the following hours of credit:
* summer session: 6 credits.

Admission Requirements:
GPA Requirements: 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.

You must be in good academic standing and not on disciplinary probation. You need to submit a complete application including a transcript, letter of recommendation, and an advisor's form before your application will be considered.

Highlights: The program will begin with orientation, which will introduce you to the incredible city of Cape Town, its neighborhoods, people, and culture. It also will provide an opportunity to get to know the other students on your program, as well as Arcadia's Resident Director in South Africa, and local staff. We will cover practical information to help you make the most of your experience as well as answering your questions about personal safety and health.

During your first few days in Cape Town, we will help you explore the city with visits to Bo-Kaap, the Malay Quarter, District Six, Table Mountain, and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. The Arcadia staff will explain the transport system and unique features of the city's geography and neighborhoods. There will be afternoon outings to the Kirstenbosch gardens and evening trips to hear jazz or experiment with the local cuisine.

Orientation will end with an overnight adventure away from Cape Town to the Cedarburg Mountains, up the West Coast to Saldanha Bay, or out to the Elgin Valley. It may include activities such as looking for jackass penguins or Southern Right Whales. Hiking the mountains in search of cave paintings or taking a pony trek will give you a chance to scratch the surface of the beauty and wilderness surrounding Cape Town and Stellenbosch.

During your weekends and holidays, you may choose to take advantage of the wide array of adventure sports and other activities available within close proximity to Cape Town. Arcadia aims to complement your adventures by organizing outings to local cultural events such as theater evenings, music festivals, and lectures by national leaders.

Cost in US$: Please visit website

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.