Study Abroad in Africa: NOT as Crazy as it Sounds

Imagine this being a normal site!

• If you thought seeing The Lion King 3D in theaters was all you needed to experience Africa, then you are sorely mistaken.
• Read on to hear more about my experience studying abroad, find out statistics about study in Africa, and discover more great programs that specialize in higher education in Africa.

Oftentimes, when college students talk about studying abroad, places like Africa or other less- developed parts of the world are not the first destinations to pop up. Places like Australia and Europe, where students can experience a new culture while still feeling comfortably connected to their old American college life style, are initially more appealing.

But why? If you're going to make the jump into study abroad, don't do it halfway! You can travel to many parts of the world independently, but an experience like mine in Africa, where I am in community with tribespeople, pitch in on the farm, and have up-close-and-personal interactions with remarkable wildlife - now this, this is an experience you can't buy from a tour group!

Initially, I had many reservations about choosing Africa for my study abroad experience. I knew that it would be so far removed from everything that I had ever known, and that it would be a difficult adjustment. I would have to trade in my nicest dress clothes for some more rugged wear-and-tear gear, live with little access to high speed internet (making constant updates to my Twitter status slightly challenging), and I had to say goodbye to cheeseburgers and pizza. But DESPITE all of these objections to the familiar, the number of unique and incredible things I knew I would experience in Africa would easily outweigh the setbacks. And boy was I right!

African sunrises are unparalleled

Where else can you feel the wind and the sun on your face as you hang out of the top of your safari car? Where else can you see baby rhinos nursing, a pride of lions playing, and more species of animals in the wild than you even dreamed existed? Where else can you be mobbed by groups of kids begging to be picked up and played with, or be taught traditional African songs and dances by the local people in your village? When I think back on all that I have experienced here, and what I have yet to experience, I’m filled with this incredible awe and appreciation.

Not to know is bad. Not to wish to know is worse. - African proverb

I can already tell that the transition home will be difficult- after being immersed in this culture and seeing how little the people here have, everything we do in America seems wasteful. But, instead of getting discouraged, I just focus on how coming here has changed me as a person, and what I can do to make the world a little bit better. I’m not saying that Africa has completely transformed me into a selfless saint, but I like to think that my time here in this incredible continent has opened my eyes to a whole new way of living that I encourage all people to experience, given the opportunity.

Every day I wake up in this amazing place, I am so thankful that I made the decision to study abroad in Africa.

Fast Facts for Studying Abroad in Africa

#1. In the 08/09 school year, students studying in Africa increased 16%, with South Africa leading the pack with an increased participation of 12%
#2. In total, Africa supports 6% of American students studying abroad.
#3. South Africa is the 13th most popular study abroad destination, with 4,313 students going there in 09/10.

From the IIE Open Doors Policy Report

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