Program Overview
The Southern Africa region has struggled for decades against the lasting impacts of colonialization, including suffering through the years of apartheid, the struggle for liberation, and nations gripped by ethnic and racial tensions. On this two-country program to South Africa and Namibia, you will examine the historical and cultural reasons behind these issues, while also studying the emerging contemporary movements for racial and environmental justice.
Learn more and apply to this program
Highlights
- Learn about the challenges posed by underdevelopment, globalization, extreme inequality, and the legacies of apartheid.
- Frequent guest speakers, excursions, and hands-on active learning to immerse you in the community and culture.
- Complete a for-credit internship at a local nonprofit that serves the community in which you are studying.
- Participate on a program run by an organization dedicated to social justice, which uplifts the voices of underrepresented and marginalized peoples in all programs.
- Homestays with welcoming and friendly folks in each country, and gay and lesbian-friendly homestays in Windhoek are available upon request!
Courses & Internships
- Racism and Resistance in Southern Africa and the U.S. (History 327) - required course
- Political and Social Change in Southern Africa (Political Science 353)
- Environmental connections: Environment and Sustainability in Southern Africa (Environmental Studies 100)
- The Politics of Development in Southern Africa (Political Science 354)
- Religion and Social Change in Southern Africa (Religion 376)
- An internship or an independent study for credit in: Cross-Cultural Studies, Environmental Studies, Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, or Religion
- Yoga (Recreational Wellness 118)
Student Life
Students will stay in the CGEE house for a portion of the semester, a 10-minute walk from downtown Windhoek. A vibrant capital city; students will find traditional and international cuisines, art galleries, contemporary shopping malls, live concerts, and public gardens where festivals are held throughout the year. Students can travel anywhere from an outdoor craft and food market in Windhoek’s township areas to a movie theater in the suburbs for one low taxi fare. Students are sure to run into many friendly faces as they explore the various cultural and entertainment activities that this community has to offer. Students will also have host family stays throughout the semester in both rural and urban areas of Namibia and South Africa.
In addition to the Windhoek portion of the program, students will also have the opportunity to travel, with built-in excursions (included in the cost of the program) to Johannesburg, Cape Town, and the Eastern Cape in South Africa, as well as short trips to Etosha Game National Reserve, the Atlantic Coast, Lüderitz, and rural areas of Namibia.
Why This Program?
This program is perfect for students that have an interest in racial equity activism, exploring the impacts of climate change and its effects on environmental justice, political science, and understanding developing economies thereby working towards social change through experiential education.
For More Information
Financial Information
This is considered a 3rd Party Provider program. You will continue to pay Butler University tuition for your semester abroad, instead of the tuition cost listed on the provider's website. The Butler University CGE will receive the bill for this program on your behalf, will pay it, and will pass on these expenses in your Butler student account, including Butler tuition (instead of the tuition listed on the program’s page) and any non-tuition charges, like housing, health insurance, etc. Additionally, you will receive 100% of your federal financial aid and 50% of your Butler University institutional aid and scholarships for your semester abroad.
Additional provider fees may include: application fee, housing deposit, health insurance, etc.
**These above-stated policies may be different for tuition remission, tuition exchange, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, and petition program students. Please check with Financial Aid for more information.**
Application Instructions
As a Butler University student, you will simultaneously apply directly with the provider for this program by their listed deadline, as well as complete this secondary application with the Center for Global Education (CGE) for your top-choice program. You can start the CGE’s application by clicking "Apply Now" above. Should you apply for/get into another program that you’d prefer, just let the CGE know and they’ll switch your completed application into the correct program.
All pre-decision materials must be completed in this online application system by the deadline listed on this application.
