PUBLIC HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA

• IPD Programs
  • Chile
  • China
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • France
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
• Apply
• Pre-Departure
  • IPD Programs
  • Exchanges
• Students Abroad
  • Resources While Abroad
  • Guide to Study Abroad
  • Emergencies Abroad
• Returnees
  • Program Evaluation
  • Transcripts and Credits
  • Ambassador Application
  • Photo Contest
  • Events for Returnees
  • Additional Resources
• Ambassadors

Location: Stellenbosch, South Africa
Institution: Stellenbosch University
Term: Spring Quarter (2013 Program Dates: April 3-June 16)
Application Deadline: November 1, 2013
Language Requirement: None - all classes are taught in English
Academic Interests: Global Health, African Studies, History, Social Policy, Political Science, Anthropology, Pre-Med, Sociology, Humanities, Economics

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Northwestern IPD Public Health & Development in South Africa program introduces students to public health issues, development policies, and political reform in contemporary South Africa. Within the context of South Africa’s unique socio-political and cultural background, students will explore the country’s most pressing healthcare issues and the challenges of delivering healthcare in light of widespread poverty in the post-apartheid era. Students will have the unparalleled opportunity to engage with leading health practitioners through organized excursions to public and private hospitals and clinics, grassroots organizations, and private agencies in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. Students will also spend a week at Kruger National Park to learn about community health and development. Courses are taught in English by faculty at Stellenbosch University.

THE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1881, Stellenbosch University (originally Stellenbosch College) is one of the top research universities in South Africa. Stellenbosch University is located in the beautiful Jonkershoek Valley in the center of the Western Cape Winelands. Stellenbosch is the second oldest city in South Africa and about a 35-minute drive from Cape Town.

COURSES

Contemporary South African Politics (1 credit)
The course will deal with the apartheid past and the transition to democracy, party politics at present, the politics of race, and the political economy of South Africa. Then, it will concentrate on four important policy issues – HIV/AIDS, gender equality, poverty, and social welfare. The course concludes with the question: Can South Africa consolidate its democracy?
Course Instructor: Amanda Gouws

South African Culture, Language, and Identity (1 credit)
This seminar will introduce the diverse cultures and languages that exist in the Stellenbosch region and throughout South Africa. Students will be learn how the attitudes, ideas and values of individuals and groups in South Africa are represented in their history, art, literature, languages, religion, food, cultural practices and customs, and other creative activities, which will provide them with a contextual basis for understanding other coursework, as well as relationships with South Africans at the university and in communities.
Course Instructor: Amanda Gouws

Public Health in South Africa (1 credit)
This course will combine lectures and visits to public health care sites in Western Cape, including clinics, agencies, and NGOs. Students will learn about the health care system in South Africa, as well explore important health issues, including: HIV/AIDS & tuberculosis, nutrition, fetal alcohol syndrome, environmental health, and rehabilitation.
Course Instructor: Stefanus Snyman

Health and Development in South Africa (1 credit)
This course combines class lectures on economic and social development theory and practice in South Africa with service learning opportunities at non-governmental health organizations in/around Stellenbosch. Students will complete a service learning project and a group research report based on their NGO experience.
Course Instructor: Jacob du Plessis

EXCURSIONS

Kruger National Park & Hamakuya
Under the direction of noted scholar David Bunn, a Northwestern University alumnus, students will visit Kruger National Park and Hamakuya, a rural local village. Students will participate in activities rarely open to other visitors, including game viewing drives, night walks in the veld, and a homestay in Hamakuya, all the while learning about the culture, history, research, and challenges of the places visited.

Johannesburg
Johannesburg is an important cultural, political, and historic center in South Africa. Possible visits in Johannesburg include Soweto, the Apartheid Museum, Constitutional Hill, and the Cradle of Humankind.

Local Excursions
Local excursions include visits to townships and local attractions in and around Stellenbosch as well as important historical, social, and cultural sites in Cape Town. Students will also have the option to visit Cape Point and the Garden Route.

HOUSING & MEALS

Students stay in Concordia, an international dorm in the residential area on campus. Each student will share a flat with other Northwestern students of the same gender. Flats are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, closet, and a mini-kitchen. Students are responsible for the costs of all meals.

PROGRAM COSTS

Spring 2013 Program Fee = $14,460, which includes tuition, program-related excursions, housing, and HTH Worldwide Health Insurance. Students should also budget about $1,750 for international airfare, $100 for books and supplies, and approximately $2,200 for discretionary expenses, including meals, non-program transportation, and incidentals. All students are eligible to apply for IPD and external funding opportunities and will be subject to existing withdrawal and cancellation policies.

For more information about IPD study abroad funding opportunities, please see the Fellowships section of the IPD website.

For more information about financial aid for study abroad, please refer to the Money Matters resource page of the Study Abroad Office website, or contact Krista Buda at the Financial Aid Office: k-buda@northwestern.edu or 847-491-7400.