Study Abroad Africa

Most young people dream of the day when they can take some time away from away from their studies to undertake an internship in a far off, foreign land. For many, an international internship is the highlight of their educational career. While it’s great to spend some time living and working abroad, there’s a few different internship types that students ought to be aware of.

Many universities offer tuition-based study abroad internships. In most cases, these internships provide the student with academic credit towards their degree or area of study. The main drawback with tuition based internships is that they can be rather expensive. In some cases however, the student may be eligible for financial aid to help with the tuition costs.

Unpaid, non-academic internships account for the vast majority international internships This form of internship can be extremely beneficial for those interested in gaining professional experience and increased prospects for career advancement. In some cases, room and board can be arranged which can help make such an excursion less expensive. If your area of study revolves around international development issues, a volunteer position may be the best option for you.

Regardless of the type of internship you decide on, most of them will require you to complete a formal application of some sort. Many of them can be completed online, but be sure to check with the program coordinator to ensure that you have the right information. In some cases, organizations may not have a formal application process. In cases such as this, take some time to draft a thoughtful letter of inquiry and propose your own internship.

In most western countries, the governments offer international internship opportunities. The U.S. State Department, for instance, offers grads and undergrads unpaid internships. Your local or state government may also offer internship opportunities. The U.S. Peace Corps is another option for those interested in doing grassroots development work overseas. The only drawback with the Peace Corps is that they require a two year commitment, but they do cover most of the expenses and they’ll even provide you with a $6000 “resettlement allowance” at the end of your service.

Organizations such as the United Nations or the World Bank offer excellent internship opportunities for the right candidate. In most cases, these are unpaid internships. Private industry is another avenue that should not be ignored, if you are serious about securing an international internships. Most major companies have offices throughout the world, and it’s rare that they will turn away a keen individual interested in working for free.

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What with the 2010 World Cup taking place in South Africa, the sporting status of the country has undoubtedly risen. However, it’s not all football, rugby and cricket in the rainbow nation. There is a whole range of sports, which are as diverse as the people of South Africa themselves – read on to find out about just three of them.

Sand Boarding

Expending a lot of energy climbing up sand dunes may not seem like your idea of fun, however I can guarantee that the thrill you’ll experience on the way back down will make it well worth the effort. Sand boarding is becoming an increasingly popular sport in South Africa, and it’s easy to see why. Relatively similar to snowboarding, sand boarding involves standing with two feet on a thin board and weaving and arcing your way at breakneck speed to the bottom of the dunes. However, for those who are less steady on their feet there is a great alternative of lying flat on your stomach on the board, and heading downhill as if you were on a surfboard. Whichever way you decide to descend down the dunes, sand boarding gives you a guaranteed adrenaline rush – just be sure to keep some sunglasses on and your mouth shut or you may just end up eating sand.

Shark Diving

Everyone who heads to South Africa is aware of the fact that there are some pretty big fish out in the waters. However, not everyone will know that you can in fact take to the water yourself, and swim up close and personal with the sharks. Some of the biggest and most magnificent sharks in the world can be found off the coast of South Africa, and cage diving is the perfect way to see them in all their splendour, whilst keeping at a safe distance from their teeth. During a cave diving session you will be fitted with breathing equipment and lowered into the water in a cage made from extremely strong metal, so that you can watch the sharks in their natural habitat whilst remaining protected from them. So whether you’re fascinated by sharks, or simply keen to face your fears, shark diving is a popular recreational sport, becoming more popular all the time.

River Boarding

If you like the idea of getting wet in South Africa, but are slightly less keen on the prospect of sharks, then perhaps another water sport is more suitable for you. River boarding is increasingly common in South Africa these days, and particularly in the area of Victoria Falls. Referred to by some as ‘motocross on your belly’, river boarding refers to the art of travelling downstream lying on your front on a board, navigating various rapids as you go. But it won’t all be roaring rapids; in places you will be able to lie back and relax as you drift along and make the most of the stunning scenery that surrounds you.

So, though the sounds of the vuvuzelas may be ringing out over South Africa for some weeks yet, there is much more than just football to enjoy where sports are concerned. Try your hand at any one of the weird and wonderful sports for which the country is becoming known.

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Penn State, University of Notre Dame, University of Kentucky and Pacific Lutheran University participated in a recent study, which shows employers find value in Study Abroad when evaluating job search candidates. “In general, Study Abroad was looked upon favorably,” said Robert Domingo, a research associate at Penn State in an interview with The Daily Collegian. In the same survey, to which 352 employers responded, having the preferred academic major was ranked most desirable by employers and completing a major or minor in a foreign language was ranked second. Study abroad was ranked third.

In a more recent study of 119 employers conducted by the Career Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 59% of respondents said that Study Abroad or other international experience, other than an internship, would be very valuable or somewhat valuable in an individual’s career later on with their organization.

Study Abroad programs are becoming increasingly attractive as more and more college students seek meaningful ways to spend college breaks or explore true diversity of cultures. Additionally, as students return and share their positive experiences, others sign up to head overseas as well.

Two great resources for students considering studying overseas are StudyAbroad.com and Semester at Sea.

StudyAbroad.com is a comprehensive online source of information about educational opportunities for high school students, college students or graduate students wanting to study in other countries. It includes information on summer programs, internships, service learning programs and overseas volunteer opportunities. The information is easy to follow and is sorted by subject, country or city.

Semester at Sea, run by the Institute for Shipboard Education, gets academic sponsorship from the University of Virginia where students can apply for credit for the 2007 summer trip. This trip will have students traversing the Western coast of Central America and South America. Stops this summer will include Chile, Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Financial aid is available to help students cover the $8000+ cost of the just over 2 month journey onboard the floating university. The Fall 2007 trip is scheduled for stops in Japan, Thailand, China and India while Puerto Rico, Brazil, South Africa and Mauritius are on tap for the Spring 2008 journey.

No study abroad program is without risk and students and parents should do all the required due diligence to make sure these experiences do not end with less than positive results. Some general advice to be safe on a study abroad experience are as follows and include some tips from the University of Chicago’s Study Abroad program:

1. Be alert at all times. Remember you are in unfamiliar surroundings

2. Trust your instincts

3. Be cautious and protective with your cash

4. Observe political gatherings from a distance

5. Learn where the nearest police station, hospital and embassy is located

6. Stay sober and away from drugs and alcohol. This is not the time to lose focus

7. Be particularly alert while on public transportation and in public places

8. Be mindful of new friendships that develop too quickly

9. Make copies of all your important papers. Keep a set of copies with you as well as leave one at home.

10. Be inconspicuous and try to blend in as much as possible. Avoid being the noisy tourist

11. Check in often with home. Have somewhat of a routine so that folks at home will know if you are off schedule.

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