Africa

South Africa

Program SponsorThe Council of International Education Exchange (CIEE)
Program NameUniversity of Cape Town, South Africa (UCT)
Program TypeDirect enrollment
LocationSouth Africa’s oldest university, UCT is located near the city of Cape Town, a cultural melting pot derived from indigenous African cultures as well as Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers.
Program/University Size100/23,500
LanguagesEnglish
Fields of StudyFull curriculum, all STEM majors
AcademicsStudents enroll in four classes totaling 16 units.
Program Eligibility3.0 GPA
HousingStudents live in university residence halls or student apartments or with a local host family.
TermsFall (early June to mid Nov.); spring (late Jan. to mid June)
Did You KnowAfrikaans is the most widely spoken language in Cape Town, followed by Xhosa and English.
University of Cape Town
Program SponsorOrganization for Tropical Studies
Program NameOrganization forf Tropical Studies (OTS): African Ecology and Conservation
Program TypeExperiential field-based
LocationKruger is home to over 150 mammal species, 2,000 plant species (including 300 different types of trees), 49 fish species, 34 amphibian species, 166 reptilian species, 505 bird species and countless insects.
Program Size 32
LanguagesEnglish
Fields of StudyBiology, environmental studies
AcademicsStudents enroll in four classes totaling 16 units.
Program Eligibility3.0 GPA; two semesters of college-level biology or ecology required
HousingStudents travel throughout South Africa, staying in shared rooms of two to four people. Students also spend three days with a local family in a South African village community.
TermsFall (late Aug. to late Nov.); spring (late Jan. to early May)
NotesThe program is physically and intellectually demanding, stressing full immersion that includes hands-on scientific and cultural studies.
Did You KnowThe Kruger National Park is home to the “Big Five”: the lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard and black rhino. These five are named so because of the difficulty in hunting them, rather than their size.
Kruger National Park

Tanzania

Program SponsorSchool for International Training (SIT)
Program NameTanzania Wildlife Ecology and Political Ecology
Program TypeExperiential field-based
LocationHome to Serengeti National Park, the site of the largest wildlife migration on earth, Tanzania features tropical, temperate and montane forests.
Program Size25
LanguagesEnglish and Kiswahili
Fields of StudyBiology, environmental studies
AcademicsStudents enroll in four classes totaling 16 units.
Program Eligibility2.5 GPA; previous coursework and/or preparation in environmental studies, ecology, biology or related field desired
HousingStudents live with a local host family in the peri-urban community of Bangata, a local family in a Maasai village, as well as hostels, private homes, hotels and outdoor campsites.
TermsFall (late Aug. to early Dec.); spring (late Jan. to early May)
Did You KnowMpingo trees (aka Africa blackwood trees), commonly seen in Tanzania, are the most expensive hardwood tree in the world.
Tanzania