Cape Town, South Africa
Marquette University Service Learning Program- Loyola Exchange
Program Summary
Marquette University’s South Afirca Service Learning Program, in conjuction with the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and the University of the Western Cap, offers students the unique opportunity to increase their understanding of the people, history, culture and traditions of South Africa through integrated academic coursework and direct immersion in the culture through community-based service. The program’s curriculum accommodates students from all academic disciplines.
Program Web Site: http://www.marquette.edu/safrica/about.shtml
Academic Calendar Dates:
Early July - Late November (Fall Semester)
Late January - Mid to Late June (Spring Semester)
Submit an application before the Application Deadline.
Affiliations – University of the Western Cape ( www.uwc.ac.za )and the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust ( www.tutu.org )
Founded in 1960, the University of the Western Cape has played a key role in ending the oppression of apartheid and is today a major South African university committed to academic excellence, cultural diversity and helping to build an equitable and dynamic society.
Inspired by the spirit of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Desmond Tutu Peace Trust is working to create the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre with the mission of engaging emerging leaders on the African continent and beyond in studies ultimately leading to the implementation of constructive, collaborative, principled modes of leadership at all levels of society.
Cape Town
Marquette’s South Africa Service Learning Program is based in cosmopolitan Cape Town, at the southern tip of the African continent. While living in Cape Town, you will come to know South Africa’s rich history and experience an emerging nation rebuilding itself following decades of apartheid. Cape Town’s diverse socio-economic communities will become your classroom as you learn paradigms of emerging leadership and model of reconciliation, forgiveness and community advocacy.
“Cape Town is the third most populous city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality of the City of Cape Town. 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. Often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is one of the most popular South African destinations for tourism.
“According to the 2001 Census, the city has a population of 2.95 million. Cape Town's land area of 2,499 square kilometres (965 sq mi) is larger than other South African cities, resulting in a comparatively lower population density of 1,158 people per square kilometre (2,999/sq mi). Cape Town is town twinned with Nice in France and Haifa in Israel.”
(Wikipedia.org)
Curriculum Type:
If you participate in Marquette’s South Africa Service Learning Program, you will study with South African professors who are experts in their fields at the Leadership Academy of the Desmond Tutu Peace Centre and the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Student take the following courses while on the program:
- Theology of Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Justice
- Community Development and Social Analysis
- Three elective courses at UWC
Service Learning:
You will also study through action. The service component of your learning will engage you directly in the ongoing transformation of South Africa. It will offer you an academically grounded global reach as you research, reflect, analyze and act on complex global problems in an international setting.
You will work with a community-based, grassroots organization two days a week throughout the semester. Chosen organizations provide services for and advocate on behalf of people whose voices are not heard--people who continue to struggle with injustice and pervasive poverty. They also encourage those they serve to build their own capacity to address their needs and to be voices for change.
Examples of sites include:
Created in memory of Amy Biehl, this foundation works to prevent violence among the youth of South Africa .
Bush Radio is a community radio station that serves as an outlet to discuss important issues (such as gender, politics, poverty and AIDS) that affect everyday people in Cape Town .
Cape Craft and Design Institute
Improving product quality, creating access to more markets, forming networks among crafters and purchasers—these are the goals.
Management Systems & Training Programme (MSTP)
Is a national non-governmental organization that “works in the area of educational leadership, management, and governance".
Offers a variety of services that aim to help the HIV/AIDS population in Khayelitsha, a well-known township of Cape Town.
For further examples of service learning placement sites, visit www.marquette.edu/safrica/commplacement.shtml .
Types of Accommodation:
Students will live in community in housing arranged by the program.
Program Fees:
2008-2009 – Loyola Tuition, Marquette Cape Town housing costs (TBA)
*Tuition does not include room, meals, utilities, orientation, personal expenses, deposit, textbooks and supplies, or airfare.
Loyola Fee: $1000 for semester and year long programs
Deposit: $200.00
Aid Transfer - Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Federal Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal PLUS Loans, IL Monetary Award Program Grant (MAP), Loyola University Chicago Grants and Scholarships, Alternative Loans
