Travel Writing in South Africa
Satisfy the GO requirement by spending 3 weeks over winter break exploring South Africa, followed by taking a 2-credit travel writing workshop. Share Glen Retief's memories of growing up in South Africa while experiencing a rich blend of cultures, a uniquely compelling history, and a collection of wildlife not found anywhere else in the world.
Time will be set aside each day for journaling to capture your experiences in a travel essay during the Spring semester after you return to SU. Students majoring in any of the humanities are welcome, and will be provided with step by step guidance throughout the writing process. The prerequisite for the Focus South Africa program is a B grade in ENG100: Writing and Thinking.
Cultural Immersion
- Spend ten days in the traditional Xhosa village at Mdumbi, in the green Transkei hills, 100 yards from the Indian Ocean
- Meet with traditional diviners and herbalists
- Enjoy foods such as lamb and tomato curries, beef, raisin and egg stews, and pancakes stuffed with fresh mangoes
- Tour a black South African township in Cape Town
- Bargain for wooden masks and hand-woven clothes at the biggest handicrafts market in Africa
- Attend prayers and talk to officials at a 100-year-old mosque
Exploring History
- Visit Museums in Cape Town to take in 350 years of history
- Tour the castle where Dutch colonists first settled in South Africa
- Learn about the struggle for racial equality, from slavery to colonial conquest to apartheid to present-day inequalities
Natural Splendor
- Visit Addo Elephant National Park to see elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, and more
- See breath-taking rainforests, mountains, and deserts
- Go to the beach in December!
