Students are eligible to receive one college credit during this 13 day seminar, led by Notre Dame Psychology professor and South African native, Anre Venter. This intensive program is designed to incorporate both a cultural dimension and an academic component to allow for more meaningful engagement with the issue of social cognition and how it is related to racism. Through the course and cultural excursions, you will gain a deep understanding of South Africa's challenges as a nation.
JOHANNESBURG
Visit historical sites of South African History, gaining exposure and an understanding of the socio-political background and effects of the development and impact of the policy of apartheid.
Students will visit the Apartheid Museum for a deeper understanding of apartheid and explore its history, from the many forms of resistance over the years to the system's final end in 1994.
Soweto is widely known for a series of demonstrations led by thousands of Black school-aged students in 1976 to protest the introduction of Afrikaans in local schools. These students were met with police brutality and hundreds of children lost their lives at the hands of law enforcement. While in Soweto, our students will visit historical landmarks such as the Hector Pietersen Museum and Memorial, the home of Nelson Mandela, and the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
CAPE TOWN
Spend three days exploring Castle of Good Hope, visiting District Six and Robben Island, strolling through Bo-Kaap, and taking in the sweeping views from Table Mountain, Cape Point, and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
Considered the best preserved example of 17th century architectural structure in the world, "The Castle" was built between 1666-1679 by the Dutch East Indian Company as a refreshment base for ships en route from Europe to East Asia. The fortress is comprised of a church, bakery, workshops, living quarters, and shops.
Robben Island
Robben Island has a sad, 400 year history as a place where "undesirables" were isolated, banished, and exiled.
Originally used as a dock for trade, in 1671 the Dutch began to use the island for sending convicted criminals. Over the years, Robben Island became an asylum for the mentally and chronically ill - of which residents received inhumane and unhealthy treatments.
In 1961, the island transitioned once again to a notoriously harsh place of incarceration and imprisoned numerous political prisoners of the apartheid government, including former President Nelson Mandela who served 27 years before being released.
After these prisoners were released at the fall of apartheid, the island became a symbol of strength of the human spirit, as well as a sad reminder of its history.
District Six
District Six, a former inner-city area in Cape Town, records over 60,000 of its inhabitants being forcibly removed from their homes in the 1970s under apartheid regime when it was declared a "White area" under the Group Area Act.
A (windy!) journey along the most south-western point of the African continent, complete with gorgeous views and maybe even a sighting of a whale breaching!
Bo-Kaap’s origins date back to the 1760s when these rental houses were built and leased to slaves. At the time, the lease stated the houses must remain white. The rule was eventually lifted after slaves were allowed to purchase the properties and paint the homes. The distinctive multi-coloured rows on steeply cobbled roads is the result - an expression of their freedom. Today the Bo-Kaap community is a significant part of their cultural heritage.
Kirstenbosch national botanical garden
kruger park & Nelspruit
During the last leg of the journey, students will delve into conservation and how South Africa is taking major steps to preserve its amazing landscape and wildlife. Students will visit natural and historic sites along the way to Nelspruit, including a stop in Kruger National Park for a safari!
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
In Mpumalanga, also known as Paradise Country, students will hike to "God's Window," for a panoramic view of the canyon.
Students pause to take in Bourke's Luck Potholes - a geological feature which evolved with thousands of years of water erosion to create a breathtaking scene!
“Anytime you step outside the box and experience life from a different perspective, it definitely changes you. I felt like my experiences throughout Africa completely changed my worldview, my paradigm, how I saw myself in it and what my role and purpose was." -Ruth Riley, Program Alum
Nestled in the nature reserve, students will take in Libson Falls. The beautiful landscape of South Africa truly is unforgettable!
Kynysna Elephant Park
This is the first facility in South Africa to house and care for elephants orphaned by poaching. Students receive an educational tour outlining conservationist efforts within South Africa...and make some new friends along the way!
Kruger National Park
Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go on a safari in Kruger National Park, one of South Africa's largest reserves which includes a high density of wildlife including the "Big 5" - lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo.
“I really don’t even know how to explain it, just the culture, the togetherness over there, being able to see the wild, going to the two-day safari...it was just eye-opening.” -Jaylon Smith, Program Alum
