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 the 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.

Information Sessions

• Tuesday, January 21 from 12-1 PM in Baker 229

Program Dates

Summer 2025: May 20 - June 17th

*Participants should plan to depart the US on May 18/19 to ensure that they arrive in Johannesburg on May 2nd.   When returning to the US, typical flight patterns would leave the evening of the 17th and have participants return to the US on June 18.

Academics

This program requires students to complete a 3-credit hour course in Spring 2025, and a 1-credit hour course in Summer 2025.

Spring 2025:Choose one 7-week,  3 undergraduate credits course from the following 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 

Summer 2025: Students will also enroll in the following 1 credit hour summer semester course:

• XLRN 2100 -Building Your Story through Study Abroad/Away (Bridge: Learning and Doing)

Cost

The following information is intended to help participants understand the estimated costsassociated with the program.  For additional information regarding program costs, please refer to Understanding Program Costs for Ohio-Credit Programs .

The total estimated costis expected to be:

• Summer 2025 estimate:
  • Undergraduate: $8,955 + 3 Credits of Spring 2025 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees + 1 Credit of Summer 2025 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees
  • Graduate: $10,755 + 3 Credits of Spring 2025 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees + 1 Credit of Summer 2025 Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees

Tuition rates are based on participant's Tuition Guarantee or Graduate Program of Study (refer to Bursars for more information). 

The credit hours offered in Spring semester are part of the spring semester course load. Participants will not incur additional tuition costs for the spring semester if they are taking 12-20 (Undergraduate) or 9-18 (Graduate) credits including the credit hours mentioned for spring. Students taking less or more than a full course load will see their tuition adjusted accordingly.

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 copy of DARS/unofficial transcript
• 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