Choose your specialized focus while building foundational understanding of South African identity, culture, and social transformation across four academic tracks: multiculturalism, education, global health, or climate.
16
None
isiXhosa
English
Aug 27 – Dec 9
South Africa
Cape Town
Required
Students may focus on any critical global issue, depending on their chosen track.
South Africa serves as a powerful site of inquiry into how societies navigate transformation, identity, and justice after apartheid. Through immersive experiences in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and rural communities, you’ll explore how colonial and apartheid legacies continue to shape contemporary challenges around inequality, belonging, and social change. From field visits to townships and cultural sites to engagement with community organizations and guest lectures by local scholars and activists, you’ll witness firsthand how South Africans across different communities are reimagining their society while grappling with persistent divisions rooted in race, class, and geography.
You’ll have an opportunity to choose from four specialized tracks that build on shared foundational learning about South African identity and social transformation. Whether you focus on multiculturalism, education, health, or climate, you’ll develop expertise through field-based research, community partnerships, and direct engagement with local organizations addressing critical issues. All students participate in cross-cultural immersion experiences and complete independent research projects or internships that connect theoretical frameworks to real-world challenges facing contemporary South Africa.
None.
Visit the historic Robben Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and powerful symbol of South Africa’s journey from oppression to democracy. Guided by former political prisoners, you’ll tour the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years, explore the island’s natural landscape, and gain firsthand insight into the struggle for freedom and justice. This experience offers a profound opportunity for reflection on human rights, resilience, and reconciliation.
Johannesburg, the largest city in South Africa and its economic hub, offers a rich exploration of the country’s political and human rights history. Visit the Constitutional Court and the Apartheid Museum, and explore Winnie Mandela’s former home in Soweto—one of South Africa’s largest townships and a historic center of anti-apartheid resistance. Walk through Kliptown, where the Freedom Charter was first adopted by anti-apartheid activists, and reflect at the Hector Pieterson Museum. Conclude the journey at Freedom Park, South Africa’s first museum dedicated to honoring a decolonial vision of the nation’s past and future.
Travel to the rural community of Tshabo in the Eastern Cape, where you’ll be warmly welcomed into village life. Engage with residents, practice isiXhosa, and explore the connections and contrasts between urban and rural experiences in South Africa. The excursion also includes a visit to the Steve Biko Centre, offering insight into the Black Consciousness Movement and its enduring significance in both historical and contemporary contexts. Wind off the excursion with a three-hour safari at Inkweknwezi Game Reserve.
Please note that SIT will make every effort to maintain its programs as described. To respond to emergent situations, however, SIT may have to change or cancel programs.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:
The following syllabi are representative of this program. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of dynamic learning opportunities, actual course content will vary from term to term.
The syllabi can be useful for students, faculty, and study abroad offices in assessing credit transfer. Read more about credit transfer.
Narratives of Identity and Social Change (All Students) – syllabus
SOCI-3000 / 3 credits
This foundational course examines South African identity formation through modules exploring Xhosa, Afrikaner, and Colored communities. Students analyze how historical legacies influence contemporary social change across education, politics, and development while emphasizing that identities are fluid with significant diversity within communities. Through field visits and community engagement, students develop contextual understanding for their specialized tracks.
Choose from one of the four tracks below to focus your studies and prepare you for your internship or research project:
Multiculturalism and Human Rights in South Africa (Multiculturalism Track) – syllabus
AFRS 3000 / 3 credits
This course examines South Africa’s complex journey from apartheid to democracy through five interconnected modules covering historical foundations, democratic transition, truth and reconciliation, identity and cultural rights, and contemporary social justice challenges. Students critically analyze multiculturalism frameworks, human rights implementation, and ongoing struggles for equity through field visits to sites like the Constitutional Court, Apartheid Museum, and community organizations.
Education and Social Change (Education Track) – syllabus
IDEP-3000 / 3 credits
This course examines how colonial and apartheid educational policies continue to influence contemporary educational inequalities and reform efforts. Students analyze curricular transformation, pedagogical change, institutional access, and the relationship between education and development through field visits to primary schools, universities, and adult education centers. The course emphasizes intersectional approaches to understanding how race, class, and gender shape educational opportunities.
Global Health in South Africa: History, Challenges, and the Future (Health Track) – syllabus
IPBH 3005 / 3 credits
This course analyzes South Africa’s health system through historical, political, and social lenses, examining how colonial and apartheid legacies continue to shape health inequalities. Students explore the fragmented healthcare system, major public health challenges including HIV/AIDS and TB, health system reforms like National Health Insurance, and responses to health crises including COVID-19. Field visits to healthcare facilities, community health centers, and organizations serving migrant populations provide practical exposure to health delivery challenges.
Climate Justice and Urban Sustainability (Climate Track) – syllabus
3 credits
This course explores South Africa’s environmental challenges through climate justice and political ecology frameworks, using Cape Town and Johannesburg as primary case studies. Students examine how colonial and apartheid legacies shape current environmental inequalities while analyzing urban climate action plans, water management, energy transitions, and green infrastructure initiatives. Through field visits to water facilities, renewable energy sites, and communities affected by environmental challenges, students develop practical environmental analysis skills.
Emphasis on beginning speaking and comprehension skills through classroom and field instruction. In addition, students receive introductory oral Afrikaans instruction.
Please note that students can choose to take another course from the four tracks instead of isiXhosa if desired.
Research Methods and Ethics
ANTH3500 / 3 credits
The Research Methods and Ethics course enables students to understand field-based learning techniques, critical ethical issues involved in research and internships, and the requisite knowledge to effectively carry out mentored independent research or an internship placement in Cape Town. Material includes cross-cultural adaptation and skills building; project/internship selection; appropriate methodologies and approaches; field study/work ethics and the World Learning/SIT Human Subjects Review Policy for both research and internship placements.
Independent Study Project or Internship and Seminar
4 credits
In addition to taking the above courses, students will also need to enroll in one of the following two courses:
Independent Study Project – syllabus
ISPR3000 / 4 credits
Conducted in Cape Town or in another approved location appropriate to the project. Sample topic areas: equity in education; affirmative action issues; the role of Afrikaans in a multilingual society; Xhosa women in contemporary South African society; socioeconomic realities of HIV/AIDS; student politics and university life; hate speech, racism, and freedom of expression; the role of religion in social change; the police, law, and social justice; microenterprise and the new South Africa; perceptions of LGBT identity in Cape Town; individual versus group identity.
OR
Internship and Seminar – syllabus
ITRN3000 / 4 credits
This seminar consists of a four-week internship with a local community organization, research organization, business, or international NGO. The aim of the internship is to enable the student to gain valuable work experience and to enhance their skills in an international work environment. Students will write an internship proposal, complete an ethics review process, and spend 30 hours a week interning with a local organization. Regular seminars and reflection sessions will assist in navigating and contextualizing the internship experience. A final internship report will incorporate their learning and experiences.
Sample internships:
Students will be accommodated in both guest houses and homestays throughout the 15-week program. They will spend approximately 9 weeks in guest houses and 6 weeks in homestays. The duration of each homestay varies depending on the location, offering students a diverse and immersive cultural experience.
Langa Township
Live for three weeks with isiXhosa-speaking families in a vital community that values education, sports, and a strong Christian identity. Attend classes in Rondebosch on weekdays and spend weekends with your host family.
Pnie
Stay for a week with a bilingual Afrikaans- and English-speaking family in Pniel, a historic town in South Africa’s Cape Winelands. Founded in 1843 for freed slaves, Pniel offers scenic beauty, a peaceful atmosphere, and a warm, close-knit community nestled between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, surrounded by vineyards and mountains.
Tshabo
Live with a family for a week in Tshabo, a rural Xhosa-speaking village near King William’s Town in the Eastern Cape. Experience traditional life with modern touches—electrified homes, communal water, and a local school. Surrounded by scenic landscapes, Tshabo offers simplicity, authenticity, and warm community connections. Practice isiXhosa and immerse yourself in everyday rural life.
Bo Kaap
Stay for a week with a bilingual Afrikaans- and English-speaking family in Bo Kaap, one of the most photographed areas of Cape Town, known for its rich history, cultural heritage, Georgian architecture, and brightly colored houses.
Paralegal with Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, Washington, DC
Peace Corps volunteer in Gambia and Senegal
Student coordinator at Kravis Leadership Institute, Claremont, CA
AmeriCorps Vista volunteer with Colorado Construction Institute, Denver, CO
SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.
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A critical step in preparing for your study abroad program is planning how you will maintain your health and wellbeing. Please review the following information carefully and contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Students are required to obtain a visa for this program. Your admissions officer will provide you further guidance on the process and support documents. Please do not apply without instructions from your admissions officer.
