Child Health & Wellness in South Africa - Western Cape

Summer 2008: May 17- June 2 (tentative dates)

Program Location

The majority of this program will take place in Cape Town.  It is the third most populous city in South Africa.  It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are located.  Cape Town is famous for its harbor as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. 

Academic Program

The purpose of this program is to provide a select group of ten JMU students with a unique opportunity to gain an awareness of child health promotion and disease prevention efforts in South Africa.  Specifically, we will visit university programs, township clinics, schools, and an orphan care center and assist with medical, educational, and social interventions.  We will also go on historical, cultural, and environmental excursions.  For example, we will visit Robben Island, tour the beautiful Cape, dine on Cape Malay and other African cuisine and finish with a 4 day/ 3 night African safari at a private game lodge situated in the Sabi Sand Reserve in the south western section of the famous Kruger National Park.

Instructional methods include lectures, guided tours, field work, journal assignment and/or papers, and Blackboard.

Tentative course offerings:
HTH 490 Special Topics: Child Health & Wellness in South Africa - Western Cape, 3 credits

Accommodations

Students will reside in hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Sabie Sands, South Africa. Group meals will be provided.

Program Costs

For the current projected costs for this program, please click on the following link to the Fees for JMU Study Abroad Programs page.

Application

For more detailed instructions and to download the application, please click on the following link to the Applications and Forms section for JMU Short-Term Programs.

In addition to the Short-term Application, interested students should submit an essay (instructions here) and contact information for a faculty reference. A personal interview will also be required. Applicants must have a 2.8 minimum GPA, and must be available to attend a cultural sensitivity workshop and trip orientation meetings during spring semester.

Note: Students may apply but will NOT be accepted to both South African Western Cape and Eastern Cape programs.

For More Information

For additional information about the Child Health & Wellness in South Africa - Western Cape program, please contact the program director:

Dr. Debra Sutton
Associate Professor
Department of Health Sciences
Tel: 540-568-3392
E-mail: suttondl@jmu.edu