Summer Education Abroad
The culture, history and political development of the Zulu people in South Africa
South Africa
3-6 undergraduate credits ZULU, AFAM, FRLG
June 20-July 21, 2009
Professor Ewell D. Mthethwa
$2,575 plus airfare and VCU tuition
Registration deadline: April 1, 2009
Status: Program cancelled
The VCU Office of International Education and the Department of African American Studies are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for students to study the language, culture, history and political development of the Zulu people in South Africa. The program begins in the old town of Pietermaritzburg, also known as Mgungundlovu (the name of Zulu King Dingane), the former capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province, and concludes in the economic hub of Africa, Johannesburg, the mining metropolis. Students will discover the rich Zulu culture through participating in homestays and witnessing traditional customs, religious practices and cultural performances. This program will take you on an academic and experiential journey into the fascinating complexities of South Africa and Zulu life.
Course and credit options: ZULU 101/102, AFAM 491 or FRLG 203
Course description
The course involves four weeks of study and travel in South Africa. Lectures and trips will be led by scholars at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and students will explore the rise of Shaka Zulu and his kingdom, as well as the establishment of European colonialism and apartheid rule in South Africa. Participants will discover astonishing locations such as nature preserves, historic sites, rural villages and black townships. The group will visit communities to discuss with local people how everyday lives have changed since Nelson Mandela came to power in the first all-race elections in 1994.
Students are required to attend and participate in preparatory meetings prior to departure. The meetings will focus on the course structure, trip details and three South African films. The dates of the meetings will be announced in April. Participants must attend at least two out of the three pre-trip meetings and complete all assignments.
Ewell Mthethwa, instructor of the isiZulu language at VCU, is a native of South Africa. He holds a master’s degree in history from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Mthethwa has extensive experience in Zululand and has led college and university students on cultural and heritage tours to KwaZulu-Natal.
Registration deadline: April 1, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$2,575 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,575 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Most meals
- Guest lecturers
- Study visits and tours
- On-site program director
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Some meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $700)
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements from U.S. to Durban, South Africa and from Durban to the U.S. with a four-day stop-over in Johannesburg, South Africa. Professor Mthethwa will assist participants in identifying low-cost options.
Eligibility
Students must have a 2.0 GPA in order to participate in the VCU summer study abroad program.
While in South Africa
Excursions include field trips to nature preserves and historic sites in the Zulu Kingdom, where participants will stay overnight in a rural village homestead and witness traditional customs, religious practices and cultural performances. In the cities, students will go to black townships still struggling with the vestiges of colonial oppression and grappling with the forces of globalization.
Participants will stay in dorms at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Most meals, such as breakfast, lunch and dinner, are included during the week and while on excursions. Participants will be responsible for meals on the weekends. Each student will have a private room and will share a bathroom while at the university.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $208.55 (per 3 credit class: $619.05); undergraduate out-of-state, $421.20 (per 3 credit class: $1,257); graduate in-state, $428.68 (per 3 credit class: $1,279.44); graduate out-of-state, $543.90 ($1,625.10 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
