South Africa: Climate Change, Conservation and Environmental Justice

Overview

This program will use an environmental justice framing to understand the intertwined challenges of climate change and conservation confronting rural communities. The program offers immersive cultural experiences and engagement in community-based research in collaboration with local nongovernmental organizations.

Highlights and Excursions

• Engage in community-based research with local grassroots organizations working to improve clean water access in Johannesburg and collaborate with NGOs working to strengthen local livelihoods around Kruger National Park
• Immerse in cultural experiences, visit South Africa’s largest wildlife sanctuary and one of Africa’s largest game reserves, and connect with the country’s history through an interactive tour of country’s capital city.
• Deepen your understanding of the interrelated challenges of climate change and conservation through an environmental justice lens

Good to Know

• Group meals will be provided in program cost and will feature local produce. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
• Participants will be highly engaged in physical activities throughout the program, including required hiking.

Program Dates

Summer 2025: Dates to be announced

Academics

Students can earn 3 undergraduate credits from the following course options:

• GEOG 2400: Environmental Geography
  • BRICKS: Arches (Interconnected World)
  • Major Requirement: All Global Studies
  • Major Elective: BS Environmental Geography; BA/BS Geography
• GEOG 3310: Geography of Africa
  • BRICKS: Bridge (Speaking and Learning)
  • Major Requirement: Regional Geography for Geography Majors
  • Major Elective: Global Studies
• GEOG 3430: Global Issues in Environment
  • Major Requirement: BS Environmental Geography, BS Environmental Pre-Law
  • Major Elective: Global Studies, Environmental Science and Sustainability, BA Geography 

Cost

The program fee for this program includes: Student accommodations, meals, excursions, park fees, transportation to all program related activities, and international health insurance.

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for 3 credit hours of undergraduate tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Summer 2025 Budget Worksheet - Coming Soon

Items that are not related to the program (ie. additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Eligibility and Selection Process

Open to all majors and Geography levels.

Applicants are required to submit: 

• CV/Resume
• A one-page personal statement of interest in the program
• 2 letters of recommendation from academic references. 

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad.  Read the entire conduct policy.

This program accepts NON-OHIO students. For more information about this process visit the  Non-OHIO student page.

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Entry and Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States.  If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport now.  

Some countries also require a visa to legally enter and reside in the country.   Please review the entry and exit requirements for your destination(s). US citizens will not need a visa or other special documents to enter the country for the length of this program. (Please note: If you plan to travel before or after the program, you may need a visa). You may need to show sufficient funds to support yourself while in-country.  

Note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program.  Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Visa Information

Information for NON-US citizens

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations