Customized Faculty-led Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa

I would advise someone to ask about courtesy when visiting people's homes. After we visited a particular location, I contacted our host (who provided lunch, conversation, and dancing for my group and me). I asked if she had any recommendations for us for the next time, and she said that it would be appreciated if we brought small gifts for the ladies in the group.

Also, I'm going to encourage my next group of students to remember that many times, the accommodations may be smaller than they expect. Because we stayed in hostels in major cities (Johannesburg and Cape Town), the rooms were smaller than they were typically accustomed to in parts of the United States.

Each day was jam packed with activities and learning experiences. Be prepared to wake up early and meet a wide variety of people from community members to magistrates and attorneys to museum docents. Students should be prepared to think critically about the issues and topics, ask questions, and reflect on what they learned.

In Cape Town, the students were able to explore the area, dine out, and enjoy the night life!

Before we left, I was nervous that many of my students would be nervous or hesitant to immerse themselves in the culture. They surprised me, though, because many of them jumped right in! They asked questions, tried new foods, danced with local community members, and explored areas that were completely new and foreign to them. I was really proud of them for their willingness to learn, especially because many of them had never left the country to experienced urban settings before the trip.

For future trips, I will continue to encourage students to be open-minded and inquisitive, and I will remember that my students will constantly surprise me!

My favorite part of the trip was our tour guides, Nompilo and Alfonso. They were so helpful and fun! They made sure that they answered all of our questions, made sure we were always safe, and consistently went above and beyond the call of duty. Both were incredibly knowledgeable, and they often explained or clarified things based on their own perspectives. I'm lucky to now call them my friends, and I look forward to seeing them again soon!

The entire trip was incredible for me. I had been to Johannesburg in 2012 for an academic conference, but it paled in comparison to this trip. I learned so much about the rich history and many cultures that make up South Africa, and meeting people and hearing their experiences made each activity and interaction meaningful and intimate. I feel like there's so much more to learn, and I can't wait to go back. I thank EDU Africa, Nomplio, Alfonso, and Sara (SVC Study Abroad Coordinator) for the amazing opportunity!

I have always loved different cultures and have a real passion for helping others. Since working at EDU Africa, my understanding of people, service learning, and global citizenship has grown. I have a deeper appreciation for diversity, education, and what it means to have your life changed through experiential learning.

It's not unusual to hear stories of students brought to tears by community interactions that have them grappling with issues of social justice, reconciliation, and underrepresentation. We have a number of students who return on an annual program with their school, and eventually as alumni. Many go back home and run campaigns to raise awareness and funds for our projects. Every so often, we have students who are deeply impacted by their experience in South Africa and ask how they can volunteer on a long term basis.

Tough question! I think possibly the Human-Wildlife Conflict Studies in Zimbabwe.

I have a passion for conservation, but I think that conservation can only really be effective by properly educating a community – which you first need to take the time to understand. There's lots of grey area to work through when you start unpacking the issues around human-wildlife conflict.

Zimbabwe is also very close to my heart as both my parents grew up here. Zimbabwe's wildlife reserves have some of the best game viewing, but because tourist numbers are still relatively low to many of them, you don't have the traffic that you'd find elsewhere. Also, I'm a bit of an adrenalin-junkie, so the Zambezi Valley fits right into that calling for adventure!

EDU Africa really operates as a family. In fact, Family is one of our core values – along with Friendliness, Passion, and Courage. These aren't qualities that you find in any company.

We have an amazing team, from those of us in the office to our Program Facilitators on the ground taking care of each group. I couldn't wish for a better team to work with!

We value relationship and work hard to build strong relationships with everyone we work with. Having good relationships gives us an edge when it comes to being flexible, customizing programs, taking constructive criticism well, and offering a superior experience on the ground. We know that every student who travels with us will be well taken care of!