Social Work in South Africa

The Schools of Social Work at the University of Missouri-Columbia and the University of Missouri-St. Louis are sponsoring this exciting two-week program centered at the University of Western Cape in South Africa. The Schools of Social Work at the University of Missouri have a long-standing relationship with the social work program at UWC. During apartheid UWC was the “colored” campus for the country, and it has a rich history of participation in the development of the new South Africa. The former rector, Jakes Gerwal, was Nelson Mandela’s chief of staff. The campus now is involved in poverty eradication, responding to the HIV-AIDS crisis, and other concerns facing the nation.

Program leaders are Prof. Lois Pierce (UMSL) and Prof. Marjorie Sable (UMC). Both have traveled extensively in South Africa and participated in faculty exchanges with UWC. Courses will be taught by UWC faculty. Students will participate in 2 course modules with social work master’s students, one on poverty and the other on qualitative analysis including content on participatory research. As the third module, students will be expected to write a paper on their experience.

The program will allow students to:

Earn 3 credit hours by attending courses with UWC master’s students
Continue course assignments with a UWC student via the internet
Learn about social services in Cape Town
Tour the Cape Town area including a visit to Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, and the District 6 Museum, which describes the displacement of people of color during apartheid

The program is open to seniors and graduate students with a minimum 2.50 GPA.

Credit:
Students will earn three credits in social work:
SW 4670 Cross Cultural Perspectives on Social Policy. The course will focus on issues of poverty and evaluation.

Dates:
July 19 - August 1, 2009
Students should arrive in Cape Town on Sunday, July 19.
After the program concludes, students may participate in an optional fieldtrip for an additional cost.

Estimated Costs:
Educational Fees: $773.40 (3 credits. 2008 undergrad rate; summer 2009 rate TBA in April.)
Graduate students will be charged at the graduate rate

Program Fees: $600*

*Includes housing in a shared studio apartment, transportation around Cape Town, health insurance, orientation fees, and morning tea. Any change in the exchange rate will affect the final costs. Participants are responsible for any change in the rate.

NOT included: roundtrip airfare (estimate: $1700-$2000),** meals, personal expenses, passport costs. After the program, there is the possibility of an arranged fieldtrip; this fee is not included in the program costs.

**Students have the option to purchase airfare through Discover Africa and fly the same itinerary if they desire.

For further details, please contact:

Prof. Lois Pierce, School of Social Work (piercel@umsl.edu, 314-516-6384)
Jenny Bazzetta, UMSL Study Abroad (bazzettaj@umsl.edu, 314-516-6983)

Application Process:
Students will need to submit the following documents to the Study Abroad Office. Forms are available online or in the Study Abroad Office, 261 MSC. Application and non-refundable deposit of $250 are due by March 9, 2009. Remaining program fee payment schedule to be announced. Tuition ONLY may be billed to your UMSL student account; the program fees are payable by check or money order.

1. UMSL Study Abroad Application Form
2. Non-refundable* $250 deposit (due at time of application - check payable to UMSL)
3. Scholarship application and scholarship essay (UMSL students only)

*deposit will be refunded if you are not selected to participate in the program.

NOTE: Non-UMSL students should apply through UM-Columbia, contact kinnearj@missouri.edu.

Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation:
All UM-St. Louis students who study abroad are required to attend pre-departure orientation. This session will cover registration and financial aid, credit transfer, travel, health and safety topics, culture shock, and much more. Details and location.