Through faculty classes, guest speakers, and field experience, students learn about regional development and the growth of South Africa s influence. The University of Venda is also an ideal site to learn about the distinct cultures of the region and rural life in South Africa. Students also explore the natural environment as part of an experiential course. From the University of Venda, students travel to Kruger National Park, the Sacred Lake Fundudzi, archaeological sites, villages, and indigenous forests. Students meet with officials, rangers, archaeologists, preservationists, and others to learn about these sites.
Students also spend time on trails, hiking and camping as they visit more remote locations.
On the way to Cape Town for the second half of the semester, students will spend two weeks on safari. During this time, the group will travel to rural KwaZulu Natal, the former Transkei and Ciskei homelands, and the Eastern and Western Cape. Students will also visit Swaziland and Lesotho on their way to the Cape. During the second half of the semester, the program moves south to Cape Town, South Africa s stunning parliamentary capital located on the southern coast of the Atlantic Ocean. In Cape Town, students continue the seminars and learn about the unique justice and conflict resolution process developed in South Africa to facilitate the transition to majority rule and democratic governance.