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, December 3 from 3-4 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 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 tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Undergraduate Summer 2025 Budget Worksheet - Published 12/12/2024

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 summer credit hour 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 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